Would the other person in the room be able to defend him as Romilly would?
Could they provide the safety and comfort Archer would need?
Doubtful, given that fated mate bonds changed the dynamics between couples.
Still, it was a bit ludicrous to believe his own family members, powerful dragons themselves, couldn't manage to keep an eye out for his little human.
The struggle to allow Archer to explore had led Romilly to becoming somewhat of a stalker of his own mate. Shea had given up any hope of him actually getting work done in the afternoons.
Mornings were typically fine because Archer would stick around and hang out. But by midday and into early afternoon,Eden, or even Hadrian, would swing by and steal his little mate. They would take him to Eden's playroom, the magical maze he had created for himself and Hadrian to play in. It catered to their preferred regression styles. It was also a wonderful place for Archer, a fact Romilly knew and appreciated.
Even so, when he knew they weren't in the playroom and were just out and about in the castle, Romilly would allow his dragon senses to lead him to his little human.
On this particular day he was standing tucked in an alcove, watching as Eden tried to convince his boy to play a prank on Hadrian. The joke, while simple enough, would have been startling for Hadrian while he was in his regressed mode. He didn't do it often and he was nowhere near as young as Eden or Archer.
Romilly needed to keep an eye on the trio since no one was big at the moment. Or so he told himself as an excuse to be near his boy.
As he watched, Archer and Eden giggled, tiptoeing toward where Hadrian was napping, shaving cream in hand along with confetti. Romilly would see to it that the boys would have to clean up their mess later once the humor of it all died down.
That would be punishment enough.
His heart ached at the idea of punishing his mate. He didn't like it one bit. But when being naughty, whether by proxy or on your own choice, one had to learn. His brat of a brother was going to be a challenge for whatever mate or mates came for him.
Fate had a big job ahead of her.
As Romilly watched, the pair eased into position to begin spraying Hadrian. He could tell the objective was to attack, then toss the confetti quickly while ducking out of sight.
Hadrian's lip twitched as Romilly evaluated the situation. Ah, it seemed his brother was in on things or at least awake enough to understand what was going on.
Romilly grinned, straightening as he watched it all unfold. In a matter of seconds, what he pictured came true. Archer squeezed the tube of shaving cream just as Eden lifted his hands and flung confetti.
It was an instant disaster, especially since the sound of the aerosol can gave Hadrian enough warning to bolt upright. Using a touch of his magic, he blew the shaving cream and confetti back at the two Littles, turning their own prank against them.
Archer screamed in shock as Eden groaned, mad that he didn't get to pull one over on his brother.
"Come on, Hadrian! That's not fair!" Eden called out as he stomped his foot.
Archer breathed heavily as if the shock was still tearing through him.
Romilly went to move forward and hold his boy, but the sound outside of the window drew his attention instead. It was the distinct horn that signaled an incoming flyer, and from the distant echo of flapping he knew exactly who it was.
So did Hadrian and Eden.
"Soren," they chimed together, looking toward the window.
Archer, for his part, was confused. He still panted while trying to catch his breath, but his gaze also went to the window. It was big enough to see out of, and if Romilly didn't step in, his boy was going to find out exactly what secret he'd been keeping.
Fear urged Romilly forward.
He snatched up Archer, lifting his boy onto his hip and tucking his head into his shoulder. "It is okay, little one. I have you now." Shame on these two bullies for taking advantage of you,” he tutted.
Both young men whipped their gaze forward. "We did no such thing!" Eden argued.
Hadrian, apparently taking in Romilly's look of urgency, instead said, "We didn't mean it."
Eden glanced between his two brothers, then turned back to the window as the sound of Soren's wings grew louder. His mouth formed an "O”, and he rushed to stand beside Romilly. "I'm sorry, Archer. I didn't think this would happen. Let's go get cleaned up. I will help you get confetti out of your hair if you help me get it out of mine."
Archer raised his head, then looked around the room at the three men. "Okay, I don't want to do this alone anyway."
