Page 34 of Arthur

“Saw them as well. They are all busy with their own families though, and I didn’t get nearly the amount of time with them as I did with Alistair. Patrick wants to see them, so Alistair is going to discuss plans with River to come for a long weekend.”

Father nodded slowly. “You know I wouldn’t allow for anything to happen to any of you.”

“Yes. And you should understand that I feel the same. I take my position as master seriously.”

Father sighed. “Yes, you do. Always so very serious.”

I shrugged. I was what most considered a clone of my carrier father. My brothers all grew up with the understanding that I was to become coven master, and they all had different outlooks on life and how they dealt with it. “I will call you this evening after I’ve had time to discuss things with Patrick.”

“Very well. I look forward to hearing from you in that case.”

I offered a smile and then left. I popped from Treasure Ridge to Amherst with a thought, and in seconds, I was inside theestate and walking toward the quarters I shared with Patrick. It was early in the day, and Edric would be attending classes in the coven’s classrooms, but Patrick would either be in our quarters or his atrium.

“Patrick? I’ve returned from Montana.”

“I’m in the kitchen. I thought I would bake some cookies.”

I started toward the manor’s kitchen, then stopped.“Our kitchen or the manor’s?”

“Ours. Although it probably would have been easier to use the manor’s. But Grantham was in there, and I didn’t wish to disturb him. He looked quite serious.”

I chuckled about that. Grantham was a pro in the kitchen, although you wouldn’t necessarily think so by looking at him. But you wouldn’t expect Balthazar to be as masterful with technology as he was either. We all seemed to have our hidden talents, and that helped make us a well-rounded family.

I popped into our quarters, immediately scenting the cookies that Patrick was baking. I wasn’t sure what the occasion, but I certainly wouldn’t mind a treat or two. I found Patrick exactly where he said he’d be. He was standing in front of the oven, staring at it as if he looked intently enough it would finish what he was waiting on.

“Do they bake faster if you stare?”

Patrick looked at me over his shoulder, a huge smile on his face. “No. But I was trying to occupy myself while you were gone and Edric was in school. You both get a nice treat when you return, so I thought it would be a win-win situation.”

I’d made it to Patrick by then, and I placed my hands on his hips and gently tugged him to me. “I missed you, and cookies are most definitely a treat, but you are the reason I continue on every day.” I leaned in and kissed Patrick. My arms moved upward, and I had just started to deepen the kiss when the buzzer sounded beside us.

I sighed as Patrick pulled away and moved to open the oven. He had two cookie sheets in there, and after he had them on the cooling racks on the counter, he took off the hot mitts and moved closer to me. He stopped a step away from me and gave me the look. I knew that look, but I should after how many years we’d been together.

“What happened? Did you see Alistair? I need to take Edric out to see him. Well, probably everyone out there. Him running around with all of the kids out there just seems to wear him out more than playing with everyone here.”

I nodded. “I did see Alistair. He is going to talk to River, and they’re going to make plans to come see us soon. Yes, we can take Edric out again, although I’m not sure when I’ll have a weekend free.”

“Did the meeting with the council go poorly?”

“Not really, no. I have a few reservations about housing others when what equates to a mafia family’s hitmen are possibly out to get them and could find their way here.”

Patrick’s eyes widened. “Did you mention that part before?”

I shook my head. “No, because I just became aware of that little fact when Alistair mentioned it to me earlier. I don’t mind helping, but I need to make sure everyone here is safe. That will always be my top priority.”

“I understand that. Nobody here would ever doubt your dedication to the coven family.” Patrick went quiet for a moment. “Did they really ask if you would house members of a mafia family?”

I took Patrick’s hands and led him out of the kitchen. We sat on the sofa in the back room to talk. “Up until this point, all I knew was they needed help and that the coven master there wasn’t a nice person. Alistair brought it to my attention that the coven in Venice was acting as and known as a mafia family.” Icould feel Patrick’s concern. I reached for him and easily pulled him onto my lap.

“I’m too big to sit on your lap,” he said, but his tone was playful.

“No you’re not. I can think of several instances where you sitting on my lap are most definitely not an issue.” In fact, he’d done so just a few days ago.

“That is not what I was talking about, and you know it. We’re almost the same height.”

“And you love it because it allows for so many more positions.” I kissed Patrick’s cheek and then pulled him close and held him for a minute. This right here was worth going through life for. Patrick was my grounding rock. He was my partner in all things and at times was my voice of reason. I already knew that I was going to help the coven members from Venice, but I needed to talk things out with Patrick before giving Father a definite answer.

“Have you already made up your mind?” Patrick asked.

---