Page 45 of Dimitri

Reinhold smiled. “We all would. I would do the same for Chase as well. Unfortunately, all we can do is cater to their needs and try to spoil them as best as we can.”

I nodded. “I try. I feel bad though. I left this morning, much like last week, and he was still sleeping. I did make him a tea before I left though. He drank it, then promptly went back to sleep. I left some crackers for him for when he wakes. I do not know what else to do for him though.”

Reinhold shook his head. “Not much you can when he’s at that stage, I don’t believe. Love him, take care of him, try to be supportive and understanding.”

“I am all of those things,” I told him as we entered the cafeteria. We made our way over to the buffet line, and after grabbing trays and plates, we started piling them high with food.

“Did you not eat because you didn’t want to upset your mate with the scent? Or some other reason?” Reinhold asked.

I looked at the other dragon’s equally piled-high plate of food and filled bowl and raised an eyebrow at him from across the buffet table.

“Really? You have a mate at home as well. Yet you are eating here.”

Reinhold snorted. “Yes, but I did eat at home. Well, sort of. The twins were fussy, and when Da arrived, he sent me on my way.” Reinhold stopped to shrug and grab a few more pieces of bacon. “I was in the middle of eating my breakfast when he all but pushed me out the door. I’m not sure why, but I wasn’t going to argue.”

I shook my head. “I left without eating because I didn’t want to upset Caspian’s stomach with the scents. Unfortunately for me, cooking meat seems to be an issue for him.”

Reinhold’s eyes widened. “All meat? Or just certain ones?”

“So far, all.”

Reinhold looked offended on my behalf. “Please tell me you aren’t serious. I’ve heard of egg aversions and sometimes certain meats. But all?”

I nodded. “I wish I wasn’t, but sadly, it is true. I cannot cook meat without him feeling sick. Sometimes he gets sick, so I have just taken to not cooking. Whatever he eats, I’m happy with. If we’re eating nothing but crackers and fruit, then that’s what we eat.”

Reinhold shook his head. “Chase was never that bad. I feel for you. I hope he’s feeling better soon and you can get back to eating. At least if you’re here, you can eat full meals.”

I nodded. Caspian felt terrible about it all, but I wasn’t going to have any of that. It was outside of his control, and I absolutely did not blame him for anything.

It got to the point where I couldn’t fit anything else on my plate or tray, so I left the buffet line and went to the drink station. After I poured myself a large mug of coffee, I went over to an empty table. I was a bit surprised to see so many in the cafeteria, but the council was growing, and that meant more single enforcers.

I had just sat down and reached for the coffee when another tray was placed on my table. I looked up at Reinhold as he sat on the chair across from me.

“Is this all right?” he asked. “I guess I should have asked before I simply invited myself to your table.”

“Ja.” I took a drink of coffee and closed my eyes. When I opened them, it was to find Reinhold staring at me. He chuckled and then picked up his fork and started eating. I did the same but at a somewhat slower pace. I was busy looking around, noticing that there were quite a few new people in the cafeteria who I hadn’t ever seen before.

“Who are they?” I asked as I indicated the group of eight that were sitting over at a pair of tables they had pushed together.

“Those are the new fae alphas that joined the council. They seem nice enough. I know they feel a bit out of place and they pretty much stick to themselves. But I’ve not heard anything but good things about any of them. I’ve met them in passing; we were all introduced to them, and they seem nice enough. A few brought family with them, but I’ve not met anyone outside those eight.”

I nodded while looking around. I happened to notice another new face, this one sitting with Raiden. I could ask him once we were in our office since he was on my team. He looked to be justas tall as Raiden and his brother while sitting, so I had to wonder if he was a gargoyle or dragon.

“How’s my favorite brother-in-law,” Sebastian said as he suddenly sat down beside me. “More importantly, how’s my brother? I’m surprised you’re at work. But since our fathers are here now, I imagine that Papa will be by today to fuss over him.”

I looked over at my mate’s brother, my brain still processing what he’d just said. “Arturo is here?”

Sebastian nodded. “You didn’t know?”

I shook my head. “I do not think that Caspian knew they were arriving. He hasn’t talked to your parents in a couple of weeks. When he is awake, it is usually only for short spurts, and he eats something small before falling asleep again.”

Sebastian’s face showed concern but also something more. Understanding, perhaps? “Drew was sick like that. It only lasted around a month though, which was a good thing for him, I guess. I’m not sure how long it’ll be like that for Cas though. How is he doing? Seriously.”

“Not bad, considering. In the week since Dr. King saw him, he has gotten ill only once. He sleeps a lot though. The tea makes him incredibly tired, and although he tries to stay awake to spend time with me, he usually falls asleep within half an hour of drinking it.” I didn’t mind. I spent a lot of time sitting near him. My dragon wanted to watch over our mate, and I wasn’t going to argue with him. “Your fathers are here?”

“They arrived a couple days ago. We’ve seen them for supper, but beyond that, they’re still working on getting settled into their new place. Father was supposed to start this morning, as far as I know, so I figured that Papa would be up here at some point to check in not only on Drew and Flora but Caspian as well.”

I wasn’t sure what to think about all of that information. I knew they were moving to Treasure Ridge. Arturo had mentioned that when we were in Madrid. I had not had anycontact with him since though, and I knew that Caspian’s had been very little.

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