Page 32 of Arthur

Costas’s hand started to glow bright green, and he moved it slowly down my body. As it did, that long-ago feeling of floating overcame me, and the contraction that had been coursing through me was suddenly no longer an issue. I sighed in relief. It had been quite some time since I’d last had a baby, and although I remembered this feeling, it was a very vague memory.

“It won’t be but a few moments, and the two of you will be new daddies again,” Costas said.

Arthur took my hand and held it while there was movement and a bit of pressure. Other than that, I couldn’t feel a thing. More movement and then a feeling of sudden emptiness. That was immediately followed by a loud cry. I stared at Arthur, overcome with emotion. That was our baby. Our newest son was finally here.

“The blue-eye gene is strong with Patrick,” Costas said. “Congratulations, daddies,” he added as he held out our baby,who was now wrapped in a blue blanket. Arthur took him with ease, just as anxious to see our son as I was.

“Yeah?” Arthur asked as he looked down at the bundle in his arms. “Oh, Patrick. He’s beautiful, just like you,” Arthur said as he knelt and held the baby out so I could see him. Our little guy was fussing quietly, and when I reached out and touched his cheek, he turned his head in that direction. “Hey there, little man. Pretty abrupt change, huh?”

“Might I ask what you’re going to call him?” Costas asked, pulling us from our time with the baby.

“Edric,” I said without a thought. We’d discussed many names, and although we didn’t want a “stuffy” name, I wanted a more traditional one.

“That’s a good, strong name for a warlock as powerful as he’s destined to be,” Costas said. “Congratulations again. I’ll be by to check on you tomorrow after I look in on Grant,” he said from where he’d sat down on the side of the bed near the end.

“Did you finish with me? When?” I asked as I moved enough to peer down my body.

“Grant? He had the baby finally?” Arthur asked, his eyes going wide.

Costas chuckled and looked directly at me. “Yes. You were distracted by your beautiful little boy.” He then looked over at Arthur. “I’d actually just delivered little Maddox when you found me. You should know that his lungs work much like his older brother’s.”

Edison laughed, and I smiled at that.

“That seems about right,” Edison said. “He was overdue.”

“You knew? Forget I said that. Of course you did. Why didn’t you say something?” Arthur asked his carrier father.

“Because you were a bit preoccupied with your own pregnant One. Now, can I bring Wallace in here? He’s badgering me,wanting to know about the baby since he heard him cry just a bit ago.”

“Of course,” I said. “I’d love for him to be able to meet his newest grandson.” I looked over at Costas. “Thank you so much, Costas. Please give our love to Miles and the babies for us.”

Costas grinned. “I will. I would normally stay a bit, but I’ve already been gone longer than I intended. Miles was sleeping though, which is expected with having given birth less than two weeks ago.”

“Absolutely,” I said. “I am more than ready for a nap, but I want to spend some time with Edric before I give in.”

Wallace entered the room, excited as could be, distracting all of us. “I heard a wee babe cry.”

I chuckled, as did the others. Arthur looked to me, and I nodded. Arthur stood, taking Edric with him.

“Meet Edric, your newest grandson.”

Wallace looked at Arthur and then made a face once Edric was securely in his arms. “Such a wee one. But so verra handsome.”

I gave Constantine a quick wave before he popped out of the room. I lay back, relaxing for a moment. My lower half was still very much numb, but I knew that the feeling would return over the next hour at the most. When I looked to my left, I found Arthur smiling down lovingly at me. I reached for him, and when he knelt down this time, he gave me a soft kiss. “I love you, Patrick,” he said against my lips.

“I love you.”

Chapter 13

Arthur

Present Day

“What are the plans for safety?” I asked. “Have they all been through the screening process?” I already knew the answers to these questions, but I had to ask. I was the coven master; the members of my coven relied on me to protect them. It was I who ensured their safety. Despite the fact that I was the firstborn of the created warlock, it would be expected that anyone would ask this question.

“Do you honestly need to ask?” Alpha Sergei asked.

I looked at the created dragon and simply nodded. “Would you not ask if you were responsible for as many as I am? We have twenty-one members of our coven that haven’t yet reached puberty or are human. That means they cannot shift or use magic to protect themselves. I am responsible for their safety. Their parents trust me with the lives of their children. Yes, Ineed to ask.” I looked directly at Father. He and I had already discussed this briefly. I didn’t mind welcoming new members to the coven. In fact, I’d pushed for new members before, when Father was still in the process of transferring the coven over to me completely.

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