Page 54 of Prodigal Son

“I’m afraid they’re a set.”

The bishop planted a memory of a warm welcome in both mortal’s minds and instructed David to load the male onto a carriage. Cain lifted Destiny into his arms, an unexpected warm nostalgia surrounding him as he held her close to his chest.

“I expect you to be back here tonight for the meeting, Cain. We have concerns regarding your uncle to discuss. Enlist Grace to watch over them while you’re occupied with council business.”

Cain tenderly cradled Destiny’s soft, sleeping form close to his chest. Tonight’s meeting had been his highest priority until a few minutes ago. Now there seemed a more pressing issue that commanded his attention.

CHAPTER 18

“What’s she doing back?” Grace did a double take as Cain entered the kitchen, Destiny’s sleeping form cradled in his arms.

“We’re not sure, but she’s not alone.”

His sister looked over his shoulder at the door and frowned when she found it empty.

“In the carriage. I’d appreciate it if you could lug the big one inside.”

“The big one? You’re creating quite the collection, Cain. Whatever will Mother and Father say when they return from their trip to find a menagerie of mortals roaming about the house?”

Ignoring her, he carried Destiny to his room and lay her carefully on the bed. His parents wouldn’t be back for another week or so, and the mortals would be gone by then. He hoped.

Unsure how long the bishop’s compulsion to sleep would last on a mortal of her strength, he studied her for a moment. She looked harmless enough.

She was peaceful in her comatose state. The sight of her thick, coiling curls against his pillow pleased him. He never brought females back to his bedroom. The illusion of permanence had his heart reflexively savoring such an impossible idea.

She really was quite lovely when she wasn’t complaining or infringing on others’ privacy. Her body was soft with full-bodied curves a male could hold onto. Somehow, her build suited her feisty personality perfectly. His cock twitched as his attention followed the slope of her ass down to her thick thighs where black cotton pants clung to her like a second skin, leaving little mystery.

Softly, he traced a finger down the long slope of her nose. Her eyelids rippled ever so slightly, and a soft sigh formed in her throat. He watched her with open curiosity and fascination.

Was she dreaming again? From what he understood, mortals dreamed regularly about anything and everything. Their dreams held no life-altering meaning but impressed him all the same.

His desire to make her comfortable should have alarmed him, but he didn’t give it much thought. Removing her wool lined boots, he set them by the door and grinned at the sight of her bare feet. Her toes were chubby and short, curling ever so slightly.

He touched the soft arch of her bare foot, and she reflexively pulled it away and moaned in her sleep. Was she ticklish? He wanted to find out, but now was not the time to risk waking her.

Drawing the quilt over her legs, he studied her a moment longer. Snapping his fingers in front of her face, he tried to rouse her. A snuffle escaped her nose as she softly snored.

“Charming,” Grace said, startling him to her presence as she watched him from the bedroom door.

Cain scowled, feeling slightly exposed. “Did you get the big one?”

“Yes. He snores, too. What are you thinking, bringing them here? If the bishop finds out—”

“The bishop knows. He’s the one who told me to bring them home.”

“Why?”

He smirked. “So you could watch them.”

“Oh, no.” She held up her hands. “I’m not babysitting any more mortals for you. My plate is full.”

“Too bad. The bishop insisted. I have a council meeting to attend.”

“Cain, council meetings can take hours.”

He swapped out his damp jacket and hat for fresh attire. “They’re mortal, Grace. You’ll be fine. I’ll return as soon as The Council meeting’s over.”

She followed him into the kitchen where the male slept like a corpse on the table. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me alone with them.”

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