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Arden folded Gamble into his arms and the witch didn’t resist. He rested his head against Arden’s chest and they stayed just like that, just the two of them for a long time.He had his Gamble back.
He gazed at Micha and Arden’s chest tightened.What was he going to do about him?Arden closed his eyes and held onto Gamble, choosing to ignore the sleeping problem beside them. For a moment he just wanted to take in the fact that he was alive, his men were okay, and he had regained his sanity.
Flashes of the battle plagued him and Arden winced.He’d been beyond out of control.It was like he could see all the carnage and pain through his dragon’s eyes and he cringed. It was too much to sort through right now, too many bodies and too many dead. All he could do was hold onto his mates and try to ride out the after-effects of the storm.
“As happy as I am that you two seem to have made up,” Eldon said, interrupting their hug. Both pulled back and glared at him. “Put the glares away,” the vampire sighed. “You both need to eat to get your strength back.” As Arden tried to get up, Eldon was the one glaring athimnow. “Get back in that bed. You and Gamble can eat together.”
With a grumble, Arden let Bash help him get situated. Once the big bear went back to fixing their plates, Arden reached over and took Gamble’s hand. The witch slipped his finger’s between Arden’s. Arden squeezed back and gazed at him out of the corner of his eye.
“You’re sure you want me?” Gamble asked.
Arden turned and raised a brow. “Do I have to slap some sense into you?”
Gamble slowly smiled. “Well, you did promise me a spanking a long time ago.” He shrugged. “Maybe it would help.”
Groaning, Eldon shook his head at the two of them as Arden snickered and winced. “That’s what you get. Rest and stop fooling around with Gamble,” he lectured.
Bash brought over two plates. “Here, eat up.”
Arden didn’t fight them. The truth was that he felt weaker than he was letting on. He inhaled the scent of sweet, sticky pork and rice. The vegetables were local and his stomach craved them.
“How bad is the damage?” He asked as he began to eat.
Eldon took the fork from him and speared some food before he brought it to Arden’s lips. “The palace is in samples in some places. We’re in the West wing right now and it was spared for the most part. Your mother is already getting things worked out.”
Arden grunted. “I should be helping.”
“You can’t help anyone if you're still hurting,” Eldon lectured.
“What he said,” Spooky sat on the bed and watched Arden carefully. “Besides, Justice is helping her and so is Mya. They said they would take care of everything until you could move around again.”
Arden frowned, but he nodded. “Fine. I’ll let them go it alone. For now.”
“Good boy,” Bash said.
Arden blinked up at him. “I will kick you out of this room.”
The bear grinned. “Nah, you won’t,” he said, a smile spreading on his face.
Shaking his head, Gamble paused, eating just long enough to lean over and leave a kiss on the man’s jaw. When he pulled back, the witch smiled and his eyes filled with warmth. Once he was better, Arden was going to drag him off and keep the man all to himself for a little while. Hearing him say he was worthless struck him to his core.
Arden would make him see that he was precious.
He gazed over at Micha. The angel’s breathing was slow and even, but he was still asleep. Arden’s lips tugged down into a frown. There was so much he wanted to say to Micha. But he had no idea just how he would feel once he was faced with those big, pink eyes.
* * *
Arden thankedeverything that his men were passed out, even Eldon. As much as they loved him, the constant hovering was starting to drive him crazy. He took a quick shower and changed into a pair of sweats and a tank top before he slipped out of the room, a small limp in his step.
“There you are,” Anaya said as she stood up from a chair in the hall.
He frowned. “How long have you been out here?”
His mother shrugged. “For a while,” she admitted. “I would have come in, but you were with your mates and I knew you needed time.” She wiped at her cheeks quickly, sniffled, and glanced away. “I didn’t think we could save you this time,” she whispered.
Arden gathered his mother into his arms and tucked her head beneath his chin. In the silence of the hall, her gentle cries were enough to make him spiral right back down into a well of guilt. He’d put all of them through this. His men were holding it together, but he knew they had to be terrified. And his brother…
Once Anaya stepped back, he looked her up and down. “Are you okay?”
