Page 81 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
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 inme‘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 thepuppies, 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.
