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“Arden? Arden!” Spooky cried and threw his arms around the man’s neck. “You’re awake.”
“W-what’s going on?” He grunted as he held onto Spooky, not that he would have been able to shake the familiar off even if he tried. “Fuck.”
“Arden.” Eldon was by his side in an instant and the vampire wrapped his arms around him too.
None of them said a word as they all piled on top of him, holding him as tightly as they could. Spooky opened his eyes and gazed over to where Gamble still lay in his spot on the bed. His stomach dropped as their gazes met and the witch stared down at his hands instead.
What’s going on with him? Why isn’t he here with us?
It was like Gamble was a million miles away. Spooky pulled back as Arden hissed in pain and he quickly shot back.
“Give him some space,” Eldon said. Once they all peeled back, the vampire held Arden’s cheek. “Are you okay?”
Arden gazed at all of them, his lips in a straight line. Spooky’s heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest. There was no telling how badly he’d been broken. What if Arden was no longer…Arden?
Spooky wanted to punch himself.They would still love and cherish. Either way, they would still be his men.He sat up a little straighter and reached out a hand before his fingers brushed along Arden’s skin. Even just that soft touch was enough to make his heart feel like it was mending.
He stayed in place, but Spooky wanted to scream.Touch me. Hold me. Tell me that you love me.He needed that reassurance right now, the words that would match the actions. Because he knew in his heart that Arden loved him, truly and deeply. But he still wanted the man to pull him into his arms and tell him just that.
“Arden?” Bash growled. “If you’re fucked up more than we know you better speak the hell up so we can get you fixed.”
The dragon gazed at him and shook his head. “As impatient as ever,” he croaked before he rubbed his throat. “Water?”
Eldon was faster than all of them. He shot over to the pitcher and poured a fresh glass before he brought it back to Arden. Even as the dragon tried to reach out and take the glass on his own, Eldon slapped his hands away and pressed the glass against Arden’s lips.
Arden grabbed Eldon’s wrist, holding him in place as he drank one deep gulp after the next. His amber eyes didn't leave Eldon’s and Spooky practically felt the electricity humming between them. As soon as Arden was done, Eldon started the process over again. Three glasses later and Arden was propped up against the headboard, some of his color returning.
He gazed to the left of him and there was Micha. Spooky saw the way the dragon’s eyes narrowed and he swallowed so hard it hurt.
“Alive?” He asked.
“Yes,” Spooky whispered. “What…are you going to do with him, Arden?”
The man gazed up at Spooky. “What do you think I should do?”
Spooky spluttered and stumbled over his words. “I-I don’t know,” he whispered. “But…he’s one of us,” Spooky stressed. “We can’t abandon him.”
No matter what Micha had done, he didn’t want the angel not to be in his life anymore. He could forgive damn near anything as long as there was time and love involved. Hell, he’d gotten over Gamble being a huge pain in his ass. Why not Micha too?
“It wasn’t all his fault,” Spooky found himself saying as he gazed down at the angel. “People like Janek, they know what they’re doing. I refuse to believe that Micha would have done any of that if he wasn’t manipulated.”
“Same,” Bash grunted. “He’s too sweet to have a single bad bone in his body.”
Eldon nodded. “You were out of it, but he saved you, Arden. Without him-”
The vampire glanced away and Spooky wanted to tackle him to the ground with a big, warm hug. Every time Eldon tried to talk about it, he looked like he might shatter.
Arden grunted, but he didn’t say a word. A million thoughts flashed behind his eyes and Spooky wished he could read his mind and figure out what the hell was going on in that head of his.
“Enough of this,” Eldon interrupted. “Arden, you need to eat and drink more water. You can’t do anything if you’re still weak. Spooky, you too.”
Bash climbed out of the bed. “I’ll make the plates.”
Arden gazed at Gamble. “And you.” He frowned. “You’re not speaking to me?”
The witch gazed up at him, but he didn’t speak. It made a shiver run down Spooky’s spine. Why weren’t they talking to each other? He wanted to grab both of them by the shoulders and shake until they stopped their shit!
Arden stood up from the bed and all of their eyes went to him.
