Page 36 of Arthur

“Alistair and River?”

Edric’s eyes lit up. Arthur and I both adored Edric but felt bad for him. He was so much younger than his brothers, and although I’d had a few fertile periods since Edric had been born, I never seemed to catch during them. We would gladly welcome more children if we were so blessed, but so far, it simply hadn’t happened. Not that Edric didn’t have other “siblings” here in the coven. But I knew he longed for a sibling close to his own age. Perhaps that was why he and Ollie seemed to be so close. And although Edric technically wasn’t an only child, he was being raised as such since his brothers were all centuries older than he was.

“Do you think that Alistair and River can visit soon with their kids?”

“I’m not sure. We can ask though, but I know Alistair is super busy like Grandpa Edison is. They’re working for the council to keep the not-so-nice people from hurting others.”

Edric sighed. “All right.”

I was trying, I truly was. But for whatever reason, Edric had become so melancholy lately. It wasn’t that we neglected him. We spent time with him every single day. Hours even. But he simply felt alone, and I couldn’t figure it out.

“Grandpa!” Edric said as we stepped into the doorway of Arthur’s office. Immediately, Wallace turned and held out his arms. Edric flew into them, and I couldn’t help but smile as Dad swung Edric up into his arms.

“How is me lad today? Are ye reading like ye should?”

Edric nodded. “Yes. We started this new series of chapter books about a kid named Greg. I’m enjoying it, but we just started, so I don’t know much about it.”

“Have ye now? Do ye have one? Can ye read me a chapter or two?”

Wallace looked at me and winked as he walked out of the office with Edric in his arms still. I watched them go and would have been concerned if not for the fact that Arthur wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to kiss my temple. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“He’s fine. Dad is simply trying to distract him,” he whispered to me.

I nodded before I opened my eyes and realized that we were certainly not alone in the office. I had expected Edison, but there were a few more.

“Have you met Atticus?” Edison asked.

“Uh, possibly. I know I met at least one hellhound, but I don’t remember if it was you or not,” I said. I felt terrible, but it was the truth. Atticus, though, simply grinned.

“I haven’t met Patrick yet, no. I believe it was most likely Damien that he’s met before. I was on assignment the last time he was in Montana.”

“Oh, yes, Damien. That was his name. He was talking to Alistair, if I recall.” It had been such a short moment, and he was in a hurry to do something that didn’t involve making conversation with me. I had simply been there to give my son a hug before I went on my way to spend the day with River and their children. Atticus nodded. Everyone seemed to stare at one another before I started to feel uncomfortable. “Did you wish for me to leave?” I finally asked.

“No. We were trying to finalize who all would be staying here. I wanted Arthur to know that although the coven is fullof powerful warlocks, I would feel better if an enforcer or two popped in every so often to provide a bit of extra protection,” Edison said.

I glanced over at Arthur. “Do we need more protection?”

“Not really. Father is being overly cautious. He knows that I would never allow for anything to happen to any of our coven family. I do understand his concern. It’s not from those that will be staying here but the ones that won’t.”

I had already been informed of everything that was going on with this entire situation. There would be a few warlocks that would be residing with us for the foreseeable future. They needed somewhere to stay for a bit, and for whatever reason, going to the council wasn’t an option. I could understand to an extent, but bringing others here when they might lead danger to us never sat well with me.

“You look as if you aren’t exactly happy about the idea,” Atticus said.

I shook my head. “It’s fine. I know that Arthur would never allow anyone to hurt those in our coven. He is most protective of us, and if he feels there is no real threat, then I have to agree with him on that.”

“There will only be three,” Dad said. I looked at Edison and nodded. I had thought there were to be more, but obviously, that had changed since the idea had been brought up.

“That will be fine,” Arthur said. I grinned at my One and nodded in agreement.

“Was it always to be three? Am I getting old and not remembering correctly?”I asked through our bond.

“It was to be closer to ten, but they have decided to break them up and place them in other places. For security purposes. I have read the files on each, and they are of no threat to anyone here. You know I would never allow for that, and neither would Father.”

I continued to smile at Arthur, hoping I was conveying that nothing was amiss.

“You seem a bit…off, Patrick,” Edison said. “Do you not wish for them to be here?”

I shook my head. “It isn’t that.” I sighed. “Edric has become a bit melancholy lately. He sees the others and how they all have siblings to play with once they all retire to their own quarters in the evenings, and it seems to have started to bother him,” I said. “We try to have as many sleepovers as we can with Miles and Costas’s triplets, but he still seems frustrated with the fact that he has no siblings here.”

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