Page 56 of The Platinum Dragon's Courageous Mate

The toast popped out of the toaster oven easily onto plates, and he thought about making something to go with it, some sausage or some bacon, but that would just take too long.

Instead, he pulled out a bowl of fruit, and then they set up the boys each with a bowl of little cinnamon toast scraps and Cheerios.

He loved this steadying presence that Lars put into his life and he hoped he provided the same thing for his friend.

“Do you think Alban would watch them for a bit while we have a nap? I could really use some non-sexual snuggling.” Kieran needed that.

“I think Alban will holler for Arthur and they’ll bond while they’re watching the little ones.”

Kieran thought that sounded wonderful and, sure enough, Alban showed up to help them clean up from the cinnamon toast, smiling at them both. “You two look exhausted. Why don’tyou go lie down and I’ll call my brother over and we’ll have a craft afternoon with the boys.”

Lars barked out a laugh. “You are a braver dragon than I am, Alban.”

“This is what Arthur and I do though, right? We wrangle kids and houses.” He shooed them off. “Go ahead. I’ve got Wiver to help me until Arthur shows up.”

“Thank you, Alban.” Kieran meant that with his whole soul too. He grabbed Lars’s hands and tugged him along so they could go lie down someplace, maybe in the sunroom where there might be sunbeams that they could nap in, baking their bones.

He had family here.

Finally.

Blessedly.

They cuddled together and napped, knowing they were safe.

Chapter

Seventeen

Lachlan ended up being incredibly busy for the next week or two after Wiver showed up. The appearance of a creature like him told the guardians that they had a lot of work to do on the wards. Why would Wiver have set off so many alarms? He was a magical creature, but there was absolutely nothing about him that could be used for evil. He was created as a pure light, there to help with the children.

When he dragged himself the house one night, his wings drooping, his feet dragging, he realized it had been two days since he’d even seen Kieran and Micah.

He sighed and headed into the foyer, and Alban met him there with a sandwich and a beer.

“You are a miracle worker.”

“I’m made to care for you.”

“Well, I don’t tell you thank you enough. All is well? Kieran and Micah are asleep?”

“Everything is fine. Kaden and Lars are here, and Arthur is bringing Bryant so he could ride and rest.”

“Oh, good. Good. I’m exhausted.” He bit into the sandwich, the effort to chew almost too much.

“You are.” That wasn’t Alban, that was his beloved mate. “Come to bed. I’ll bring your drink.”

He went right to Kieran, embracing him, careful not to squish his sandwich against Kieran’s back.

“Hey, you. The boys and Wiver are together. Lars is waiting for Bryant, and we’re going to bed.”

“We are?”

“Yes. We’ll hydrate and feed you, and then you’re all mine.”

Oh, he loved the sound of that.

“It’s been a long, hard few days.”