The thought was constant in his mind, though. What it would be like when his boy knew he was a dragon. Not to mention the immortality aspect, which would be shocking for him.
"Are we going to do any work today at all, Your Majesty?" Shea taunted, bumping her shoulder against his.
He shook his head, sighed, then faced his assistant. "If we must."
Her smirk was softer as she added, "Let me get you lined out. Most of this won't take long, and then you can stare at the human."
There was no need to whisper, given how far away they were from Archer. With his human hearing, he wouldn't pick up anything. Romilly believed he wouldn't hear even if he did have some type of supernatural ability, with how focused he was on coloring the picture before him.
"There are matters to discuss," Shea started. "The Council, as always, has things they want to bring forward. There are requests from several dragons to have reviews in regard to their place in the horde. And I believe your brother is up to something."
"Which brother?" Romilly asked, leaning against the wall.
While normally they would be having this discussion while he was seated in his chair, he wouldn't dare move his boy. Archer looked far too comfortable.
Romilly waited for Shea to expand, and when she didn't, he glanced over.
"I am not quite sure how to explain it, other than the fact Eden has been peculiar. More so than usual. And I suspect that there are plans being made regarding mating."
Romilly perked up. "You think my brother is trying to find his fated mate?"
"I think your brother is trying to set himself up with a mate, yes," Shea corrected. "Possibly more than one, if we are being honest."
Multiple mates wasn't unheard of. It was simply rare. People allowed themselves to find love in the best situations, whether that be with one mate or more. And Eden was a bit of a handful. Romilly could see his younger brother with two mates. Heck,maybe even three, if the others weren’t quite capable of keeping up.
"Do you think he took me seriously when I suggested he be put into an arranged marriage with my threats?" Romilly asked. "I was not joking necessarily, but I have no intention of doing so anytime soon."
Shea hummed. "I think it is more about the fact that your brother is restless. He is definitely in need of a partner, or partners, to guide him. You have your instincts and he has his."
Romilly stroked his mustache as he thought over her points. Shea allowed him the space to consider the words. She knew he would have to investigate whatever Eden was up to. As the king, it was his duty to keep his family in line. Even his wayward brother couldn't be let too far gone. Prince or not, there was order to be maintained. And if there was one thing Eden could do best, it was disturb order.
"What is next?" Romilly asked.
Shea dove into a list of items they had to discuss. The clipboard in her hand was itemized down to the smallest detail. As promised, it went fairly quickly, and before he knew it, Shea was having him sign the documents needed for the day and leaving with a wave.
Romilly stayed where he was perched at the wall across from his desk, watching Archer. His boy had finished one drawing and flipped the page to another. The images were bright and filled with color, the strokes big and bold. Romilly already had plans for those pictures. He knew exactly where he'd put them up to display. He wanted his boy to know how proud he was of him, how thoroughly overjoyed every piece of him was.
After another few moments of watching, Romilly knew it was time to come out of his hiding spot. It had been hours since breakfast, and his boy had to be hungry. A snack was due.
With the way Eden liked to drop by sometimes, Romilly had a selection of snacks in his office. Just as he'd had the swirling straw at breakfast ready to go, he had a cabinet that opened to reveal cookies, chips, and even fruit, regularly restocked by his staff.
Pulling out one of each, he moved over to stand beside Archer. When the boy didn't pay him any mind, he eased the items onto the desk and dropped to a squat to be closer to his boy's sight. Reaching one hand up, Romilly ran his fingers through the soft curls at Archer's temple.
"Little one," he said softly, hoping not to startle his boy.
Archer hummed, though his gaze didn't move away from the paper. Curious to know what had his attention, Romilly looked over, only to be surprised to find it was a dragon his boy was coloring.
Oh, sweet Fate.
Romilly smiled, shaking his head. He moved his hand over to Archer's hand that was swiftly crossing the page. He wrapped his fingers over his boy's, until Archer's froze.
"Easy, little one," Romilly said. "I only want to get your attention. I have brought you some snacks, and I know you must be hungry."
Archer's body loosened as his muscles eased. His gaze moved to the items beside him, right past where Romilly's hand was holding his steady.
It was more than past time for Romilly to let go. There was no need to continue to touch Archer, yet he found himself unable to release his grip. His body hummed with the contact, the dragon in him practically purring from how peaceful it was to be this close to their mate. It was better to keep his hold as long as Archer didn't protest, instead of pulling away too soon and his dragon forcing a shift or taking over.
"Snacks," Archer said softly. "For me?" His voice rose in pitch, and Romilly delighted in the sound.
