She had a way of making him smile even when he was mad or upset.
“Ashby, it could have happened to anyone,” Rebecca said warmly.
“I know, it just keeps happening to me. I hate being cold,” he said, shuddering.
“I bet you’re all wrapped up in a soft blankie now,” Rebecca said, teasingly.
“Yup. Gabriel bought me a baby penguin blanket during the months we were talking over the phone. It
was waiting for me in the linen closet. He must have been taking notes during our long conversations this
winter because I also found some coco in the kitchen. Imported stuff.” Ashby exclaimed.
“Is it any good?” Rebecca asked eagerly.
“It’s amazing, but, I miss my tiny marshmallows,” Ashby said quickly.
“I’ll buy a bag of mini-mini marshmallows for you so when you make your imported hot chocolate you
can have your extra sugar,” Rebecca said, laughing.
“I don’t know when I’ll be home again. I don’t have any clothes. Gabriel dropped this bomb on me that
I’m immortal now and that he was going to throw away all my stuff and I kinda freaked out. I don’t mean
to sound bratty, but I want my own darn underwear. I know that he will expect me to give up my life and
move here, but how can I leave you and everyone? My shop is there. If only vampires could live in
Arkadia, that would be the best, then the coven could be safe and I could stay with you guys.” Ashby let all
his frustration come forward.
“OK, one thing at a time. Was it really that big of a stretch that you would be immortal? You must have
known it was a possibility. Your only other option would have been to walk away from your mating, and I
highly doubt Gabriel was planning on throwing away all your belongings. What did he say?” Rebecca
asked.
“He said the same thing about not really having a choice about the immortal thing and he said he was
going to take me shopping for new things since I would be moving in. I don’t want new things! I don’t
want to leave Arkadia!” Ashby let his tears fall.
“I admit that he shouldn’t have just assumed you would be moving in, especially since you have your
own business, but taking you shopping is an Alpha male thing, Ashby. You’ve seen Aleks. That man
practically becomes a caveman around me sometimes. It’s in their DNA to provide for their mates. I don’t
think vampires are much different than shifters in that regard. As for letting vampires into Arkadia, let me
talk to everyone and see what they think. I don’t want to lose you either.” Rebecca paused.
“Ashers, did you tell him about Roger?” she asked gently.
“Yes.” Ashby twisted his blanket into knots.
“Did you tell Gabriel that’s why you are having issues with the way he is making decisions for you?”
Rebecca asked.
“Not in so many words. What if I say something and he…” Ashby couldn’t finish the sentence.
“What if he reacts the way Roger did and hits you?” Rebecca asked softly. Ashby nodded knowing she
couldn’t see him.
“Oh sweetie, I’m getting such sadness from you, even at this distance. I want to drive up there and
snuggle with you and make it all better,” Rebecca said emotionally.
“You think snuggling fixes everything,” Ashby smiled, making the effort to breathe through his fears.
“Snuggling does fix everything. Invite your prince back upstairs and pull him into your blanket nest
with you. Tell him what’s upsetting you. We may be linked to our mate’s emotions, but that still doesn’t
make them mind readers or smarter,” Rebecca said and he could hear the smile in her voice.
“I love you, Becca,” he said, rubbing his cheek on the phone.
“I love you too, Ashers,” Rebecca said, making kissing noises. Ashby hung up the phone wrapped the
soft, fuzzy blanket around him and went in search of his prince.
* * * *
“Where did this come from?” Gabriel demanded, holding up a letter in his hand. Roman looked over
absently then frowned when he saw his prince’s glowing red eyes and descended fangs.
“It was in our normal stack of delivered mail. What is it?” Roman asked, standing and walking over to
Gabriel’s desk. He took the letter then paled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone before
pushing a button that allowed him to use it as a walkie-talkie.
“Baptista, bring Larry, Moe, and Curly into Gabriel’s office immediately,” Roman said and released the
button.
“They have been with us nearly two hundred years, why do you still call them by false names?” Gabriel
asked, sitting down in his leather chair trying to latch onto something normal to control the growing sense