Page 41 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs (Haven Ever After #8)

“ Put the puppies down, Ig!” Alo shouts as he tries to wrangle his six—no, today he’s seven—year old into a chair.

Fifteen other seven-year-olds run in various states of disarray around us.

Alo’s been trying to wrangle them to stop their game of hide and seek and come eat cake.

Oh, I think it’s been about fifteen minutes, and he’s no closer to getting anyone to come sit.

Nor sits at the long table set up behind Annabelle, one big arm laid over the back. The female hellhound puppy lies on his chest, her head nestled between his pecs as she stares up at him.

“That puppy loves you,” Miriam says as she sits next to him and strokes the pup between the ears.

Nor glances over at me. “Sunshine, I think we mighta gotten ourselves a dog.”

I shake my head as I laugh. Manorin draws love to himself. I don’t know what it is about him. Annabelle loved him right away. This little pup does too. Iggy sat on him the day they met. Nor is a magnet.

On cue, the tattoo around my throat pings, sending a phantom hug sensation down my spine. Across the table from me, Nor shivers. The pup nestles up higher and sticks her head along his jawline, her snout just under his ear.

Where the kitty cat timer is because of course. Yet another being madly in love with Manorin.

I’m not jealous. I want all the love for him.

“Catherine!” Iggy flies out of a shrub and zips toward me, wrapping himself around me like a blanket as his shrieking laughter rises. Pixie wings flutter around us as hands claw at him and their laughter goes wild and crazy.

“Kevin! Get off Catherine!” someone shouts, but I can’t tell who because I’m wearing a gargoyle and a pixie as hats.

Alo un-Velcros his son from my head, and Iggy goes limp but winks at me.

“Just needed a hug. Love you, Miss Catherine.”

Tears fill my eyes. At six—no, seven—Iggy’s starting to really lean into emotion and connection. It’ll come more naturally to him as he gets older.

Minnie joins us and sits at my feet, staring up at Iggy with bright, happy eyes.

“Love you too, Ignatius,” I say softly.

He’s already gone, though, zipping over the table to land on one of Nor’s horns. The pixie kiddo, Kevin, joins him as they each pick a horn and swing around, effectively turning Nor into a jungle gym.

The hellhound pup on his chest lets out a warning growl, and Minnie rushes under the table. Hopping up, she snaps at Iggy’s shirt and drags him away.

Alo, Miriam and I watch as Iggy spins in place and presses his face to Minnie’s, whispering sweet nothings to her.

The hellhound pup nuzzles against Nor’s jawline again, blowing out a big sigh that rustles his ear hair. The timer starts purring, and then everything goes back to normal.

Alo throws his hands in the air. “It’s almost time for the parade. Are we giving up on the cake or what? ”

Behind him, Annabelle lets out a horrible groan as if she’s telling him to chill.

He shrugs and drops into a seat. Picking up a fork, he spears a piece of cake and takes a bite. “Stick this fork in me ‘cause I’m done. Is it bedtime yet?”

Miriam snorts out a laugh and opens her mouth for a bite of his cake.

I drop onto Nor’s big thigh and stroke the hellhound pup. “So, what are you naming her?”

Crimson eyes drop to the pup, and he rubs her fuzzy butt with a thoughtful expression. “How about Ember?”

“Nooooooo!” Iggy swoops back into view, alighting on one of Nor’s horns as Minnie growls out a warning from somewhere in the rose bushes. “That’s a dumb name. Name her something badass like Cerberusa!”

Nor looks up. “Cerberusa? I gotta say that doesn’t roll off the tongue, kiddo.”

Iggy shrugs and leaps off Nor’s horn, gliding back toward the rose bushes. Giggles erupt as the bushes sway. I make a mental note to have Wren come by later and boost the flowers back up. They’re taking a beating from this very long game of hide and seek.

A half hour later, Iggy swoops into the kitchen where I’ve begun cleaning up from the party.

“Catherine!” His voice is about fifteen decibels higher than it needs to be. “Dad says we’re late, and we’re going to miss the parade if we don’t go now! Do you have your sign?! I’ve got Minnie, and the puppies aren't following that well. Can you help me? We have to go right nowwwww!”

Laughing, I swoop down and pick up a puppy. Manorin enters the kitchen and scratches Minnie under the chin.

“Hey, Coach!” Iggy shrieks, diving toward Manorin and landing on one of my mate’s beautiful long horns. “Get the puppies, would ya? Especially Cerberusa since she seems to like you.”

With a smirk, Nor drops to one knee and gathers the other two puppies as Minnie rubs her face along his thigh.

I smile up at him, laughing as the kitty cat timer flips from the island to his shoulder, tucking under his ear, which seems to be her favorite spot.

“Why does everyone love you so much?” I muse as I stare up into his handsome face.

He winks at me. “Something about the horns and size. I’m a badass, I’m big, and monsters feel safe.”

I laugh at his explanation, but it’s so true. There’s not a monster in town who isn’t obsessed with our new skyball coach. And today’s a big reveal—we’ve got a lot of new Evertons, including some new skyball players, so we’re hosting a welcome parade and party.

“Let’s goooooo,” Iggy shrieks, yanking on Manorin’s horn. “We’re gonna be late, and Dad said I would be in so much trouble if I was late since we’re in the parade.”

Nor rubs the kitchen archway lovingly with his cheek as we head out of the kitchen and toward the front of the inn. Minnie trails us out onto the porch, and the pups all howl loudly. Annabelle waggles newly painted white shutters at us and we wave goodbye back.

We manage to make it to Sycamore Street in front of the diner, where we’re all due to meet. Arkan’s there, shouting directions as he tries to corral everyone. “Alright, Misfits, you go first, come right up here.”

“Enforcers, honey,” Hana says with a wink. “The new name is the Ever Enforcers. We literally finished the rebrand yesterday.”

“Fuck,” he mutters. “One of these days I’ll get used to it.”

Nor stalks to the group of players who make up our new team. It’s a scrappy, young team, but give us a year or two, and we’ll be kicking the Punishers’ asses.

“Alright, Enforcers, join me here. Who’s got the sign?”

Twin gargoyle brothers, recently graduated from the Protector Academy, unfurl a sign painted in green and gold announcing the team’s new name.

“Logo looks good, right?” Morgan joins me, holding Abe’s hand as they stare at the new logo.

“It’s pretty badass,” I say with a laugh. “Sorry to kick your prior logo to the curb, Abemet.”

The tall vampire grins as he shrugs. “We’ve got bigger fish to fry these days, what with running the haven system and all.”

Ah yes, my little coup. Morgan, Abe and Lou have only been in charge for a few short months, but in that time, they’ve done incredible work.

We share a smile as Arkan and Nor manage to get the gathered monsters in some sort of order. When Nor turns to me, holding a hand out, I join him. We’ll be right after the skyball team and before town leadership. Behind us, hundreds of monsters are gathered on the sidewalks lining Main Street.

Arkan raises both hands. “Alright Mis—shit, Enforcers, go ahead—and remember, we’re stopping on the lawn between the gazebo and Town Hall! Go on!”

Whoops rise up as the team heads for Main and hooks a left, cheering and shouting. Raucous cries and cheers rise from Main, along with plenty of clapping and shouts of the new team name. Nor and I go next, Iggy still hanging on to Nor’s horn like a handle.

It takes us a solid fifteen minutes to make our way down Main. I recognize many of the gathered monsters but I don’t recognize just as many. The current construction at the end of Main Street and the new cross street, Pine—a nod to Nor’s home—brought with it an influx of new Evertons.

Miriam’s Sweets Shop sprays candy out over the crowd in an arch. Young monsters dart into the street to grab the candies, which turn into bugs and snakes and slither around trying to escape grabby little hands.

I laugh as monsters shout Nor’s name, screaming and cheering as the new team makes its way down the street. By the time we get to Town Hall, I’ve got several pieces of candy in my hair and had to put Cerberusa down so she could wriggle off to find Minnie.

Turning just past the gazebo, which is creaking and groaning with excitement, I watch as Ever leadership makes their way along the last bit of the parade route.

There’s Shepherd with Thea up on his shoulders, his hands on her knees.

They’re both laughing hysterically, and as the joyful gargoyle looks up at his mate, my heart grows two sizes.

Wren and Ohken come next, Wren tossing beautifully cut flowers at the onlookers.

Some explode into bits, raining petals down.

But others expand and grow as big as umbrellas, twirling and dancing over the crowd.

Alo, Miriam and Iggy come next with the hellhounds stalking behind them.

There used to be terrified whispers when the townsfolk saw Minnie, but that’s all changed, especially with the puppies. They dart into the crowd, stealing bits of candy with excited yowls. It’s not until Minnie sneezes fitfully at them that they fall into line again behind Alo.

Morgan and Abe come next, holding hands as she waves at the crowd, shouting and pumping everyone up. He’s as austere as ever, the slightest of smiles on his angular features.

The Shifter Hollow crowd follows. There’s Richard and Lola, who strums wildly on an electric guitar, the notes echoing off the buildings and reverberating until the street shakes. She’s wearing her crown, and something about that brings tears to my eyes.

Betmal and Amatheia walk with Connall, Dirk and Lou.

The blue witch spins two blue spears over her head, playing with the crowd as I marvel how much her magic has grown in the short time since she discovered it.

Dirk disappears on a gust of wind, ruffling hair and wings of those in the sidelines before popping into view again. Connall grins as he trails his mates.

The crowd joins behind the official parade, the party already kicking off.

I look up at Nor. “They’re not gonna make it all the way to Town Hall, mate.”

He laughs, waggling his brows at me. “Never, Ever , Sunshine.”

I smile so big, it hurts my cheeks as the Evertons advance toward us, spreading out on the lawn as Arkan tries to get everyone into the right spots. Above us, Iggy zooms in great big circles, screeching hysterically.

When there’s a momentary lull in the sound, Ig whistles down at the crowd. Most of the monsters look up as he flaps above the group, beaming at the Evertons.

“Welcome to Ever,” he shouts, his voice just audible over the crowd. “Where Ever-yone is welcome! Population 852? Pfft.” He winks at the crowd. “Someone needs to update the sign!”

I glance at Arkan, who’s smiling at the young gargoyle.

Nor elbows me playfully. “I’m pretty good with paint. Think I should offer to update it?”

I slap his big chest. “Maybe another day, mate. But after this, when we get home, you’re gonna be busy.”

His nostrils flare as sunshine glints off the new silver ring in his nose. The inlaid black pegasite and tiny red diamonds are a clear sign that he’s taken.

He drags his knuckles along my jawline. “I’m at your command, sweet girl.”

Beaming at the idea of that, I return my focus to the party. To my people. To my town. I laugh with joy as I turn my face to the sky, admiring the bright green ward that protects my family and my home .

Ever-yone welcome, indeed.

THE END