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A nthony’s parents returned to New York the day after the bonfire but not before they promised to return for the showdown with Grevolus.

As the next week progressed, the fae still hadn’t settled in one place, leaving them in limbo, but they didn’t have a chance to get bored.

Their house was rarely without a cousin or five visiting to either meet the siblings or spend time with them again.

Nekoma asked Anthony for drawings of the type of chairs he wanted for outside, and he spent his days building new furniture.

Anthony had ordered power tools for Nekoma to use.

It had been a learning experience for the fae, who was used to using handsaws and other rudimentary tools in his craft.

Their dining table was full every night for supper, and Elle was in her element, cooking for everyone.

Since she was still learning new words every day, she needed help with some of the recipes, but each dish she made turned out better than most things Anthony had ever tasted.

It didn’t hurt that she used magic to put together meals large enough to feed several Goyles.

Not having to spend hours in the kitchen preparing their food was the only reason Anthony didn’t fuss at his Clan for intruding every night.

That paired with the fact that Elle enjoyed feeding everyone.

She admitted more than once she missed family dinners from before she was taken to Winterhaven, and Anthony would do anything to make his mate happy.

Giving her a large family? Done. Allowing them all to dote on her and sing her praises? Also done.

She wasn’t the only fae to win the Clan’s affection.

Nekoma was a hit with his craftsmanship.

When Mason and Willow visited with their daughters, Gigi and Madison, Mason asked Nekoma if he would build them a patio set.

Nekoma requested a photo of what Mason had in mind, then quickly agreed.

The male turned Anthony’s barn into a workshop, where he spent his days working while keeping a magical eye out for Grevolus to land somewhere.

They had a video chat with Bas and Dakota to catch up on their lives.

Lydia and Beck had returned from Canada, where they secured Beck’s father to lead the polar bears in that area in the shifter council.

Carleigh and Harlow alternated daily visits.

Each one came for lunch, spending time with Elle, getting to know her.

It also gave Anthony the opportunity to go back to work, taking a local P.I.

case, where he was home each night. Filming had started, so Tabitha wasn’t coming into the office, but she had opened their connection explaining she didn’t want to talk about her personal life.

Anthony respected her request, but it bothered him that she wouldn’t confide in him.

Anthony took Elle to Colden’s Key for dinner on Valentine’s Day after showering her with flowers, candy, and a gift card for a spa treatment.

He also bought Harlow and Carleigh gift cards so they could go with Elle.

He had called Robbie to secure a secluded table where they could have privacy amidst all the other couples celebrating.

Anthony had always thought the holiday was a stupid one.

If you loved someone, you should show them every day, not just once a year, but now that he had Elle in his life, he understood celebrating their love.

While waiting on dessert, he broached a subject that had been on his mind since they completed the mate bond.

“You and I are bonded, and that goes beyond exchanging vows the way humans do, but I would be honored if you would take my last name. How about it? Would you become Elledan Stone?”

“I would love that, Tony. Thank you for asking.”

“We can have a ceremony in front of our families, if you wish.”

Elle ran her thumb across the back of his hand where they were joined atop the table.

“In our culture, it’s a private event where the father of the female performs the ribbon ceremony, if there is one at all.

Some choose to simply cohabitate. Since Ballymar isn’t here, and I may never see him again. ..”

“What about Nekoma or Thran? Couldn’t they step in and do the honors?”

“They could. Normally, it would be the oldest sibling, and that’s Thran. Since we are already bonded, I don’t see why Nekoma couldn’t do it.”

“Are there no queer fae? You only mentioned the female’s father.”

“Yes, there are same sex couples in Evyndral, but instead of one of the fathers performing the ceremony, the couple goes before the elders to keep from hurting someone’s feelings.”

“If you wish, we’ll ask Nekoma when we get home. Thank you for agreeing, Sweetheart. I’ll have Carleigh create your new IDs. Oh, what’s your middle name?”

Elle shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t have one. I’m just Elledan.”

“You’re not just anything. You are my amazing, smart, talented mate.” Elle’s ears turned that adorable shade of pink Anthony loved. “Would you like a middle name? Since Carleigh is creating your documents, now would be the time to add one.”

Elle didn’t hesitate to say, “Lorhana, to honor my mother.”

“It’s beautiful, like you.” Anthony lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.

While eating their raspberry cream tarts, a nearby voice caught Anthony’s attention. “I need more time. If that Hopkins bastard isn’t with them, someone else is guarding the house.”

Hopkins wasn’t that odd of a last name, but add it to the fact that this male was talking about a security guard, it got Anthony’s hackles up. He couldn’t see past the divider separating their table from the other guests.

“No. They’re having dinner together with him and his wife. I can’t get close enough to Alyssa to question her.”

Now Anthony knew for certain he was referring to Gannon. Anthony pulled out his phone and texted Gannon, alerting him to someone following them. If Anthony had to guess, it was the GIA agent who had moved to Atlanta when Alyssa did.

“Is something wrong?” Elle asked.

Anthony placed his phone in the pocket of his suit coat. “Yes, but I’ll explain later.”

Elle hesitated a few seconds, then said, “Okay.”

They were quiet as they finished dessert, the mood less romantic because of the text.

Anthony paid the tab, and as he and Elle were walking out, he glanced at the tables nearest where they’d been seated, noting only one man sitting alone.

Not wanting to call attention to them, Anthony waited until they were on the sidewalk to check for Gannon’s reply.

Hopkins: I had already received a text from Madsen, and I’ve asked Robbie to run interference when it’s time for us to leave. Stallings is getting more desperate if he’s following Alyssa to public places.

Anthony: Let me know if I can help in any way.

Hopkins: Thanks, bud. I’ve got it handled. Enjoy the rest of your evening with your mate.

Once they were in Anthony’s Corvette, he reminded Elle of how Connor and Alyssa met in South Carolina, and the GIA agent on the case transferred to Atlanta to follow Alyssa.

“Agent Stallings was sitting a few tables away from us, and he admitted he’d followed them to Colden’s Key. I texted Gannon to let him know.”

“What exactly does he want from Alyssa?”

“Knowledge about what she found during the testing she did.”

Elle wrung her hands. “Can’t she give him something to appease him? Like false information?”

“What do you mean?”

“If she produces her findings, not the real ones, but something made up, wouldn’t he leave her alone?”

Anthony grabbed one of her hands and threaded their fingers. “He may, but he still knows there was something off with the female’s biology.”

“True, but at least he might stop following Alyssa.”

“I’ll call Con tomorrow and discuss it. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Caring. For showing you’re more than just a pretty face.”

Elle’s appreciation for his words was strong through the bond.

Anthony was still getting used to sensing his mate’s emotions, but he liked knowing without having to ask.

It allowed him to understand his parents’ relationship better.

He knew they could also mind-speak, but gauging emotions allowed them to meet each other’s needs more easily.

It allowed him the same benefit with Elle.

Atlanta was a bustling city on a normal night, but throw in a holiday, and traffic was a beast. As she did every time they drove around town, Elle took in the scenery.

She had driven to several large towns when she was stealing money, but according to her, she was still in awe of how expansive each place was.

Anthony couldn’t imagine living somewhere like Evyndral, then being thrown into a new world with high-rise buildings, thousands of cars, and millions of people, not speaking the language.

At least she’d been able to create a translator.

His mate was smart and had learned English over the last four years.

She had also taught herself to read which, to Anthony, was astonishing.

She had explained that they didn’t have schools in Evyndral.

They were taught by their parents. The more he learned of her past, the more amazing he found her.

When they arrived home, Nekoma was sitting on the front steps, a beer dangling from his fingers.

Elle had cooked supper for him before they left after he declined them bringing something back from Colden’s Key.

His blue eyes glowed in the headlights, and he raised a hand in greeting but didn’t move to get up.

Anthony continued on to the garage. He never left his Corvette out in the elements if he could help it.

After helping Elle from the car, they walked to the front of the house instead of entering through the side door.

“Everything okay?” Anthony asked.

Nekoma nodded. “Grevolus hasn’t moved in three days. I sent a raven to scout the area. He’s at a farmhouse exactly as Connor depicted.”