37
They barely left the apartment for the next two days. Food trays and fresh linen were left at their door, but everyone was wise enough to leave them alone.
Around lunchtime on the third day, Cosimo started banging on the door, demanding they come out. Lachlan could understand Cosimo's desire to see his son after he had been kidnapped and turned into a dragon. Lachlan promised they wouldn't be too long, and Cosimo finally went away.
Lachlan was searching for new clothes when he found the polished box. He pulled it out and offered it to Apollo.
"I got this for you," he said and swallowed his unexpected nerves. "I wanted to find you something to say thanks for my sword. I've been carrying it around for months."
"You didn't have to do that, Lachie." Apollo took the box and opened it. "I take it back—you absolutely did have to do that. Oh, gods they are so beautiful." Inside was a row of hand-blown glass bottles all with patterns of silver and gold in them.
Lachlan's ears went red. "I, ah, got them from a guy who makes them on Murano. I know they are technically meant tobe perfume bottles, but I thought you could use them for some special thing you want to brew."
Apollo put the box down carefully and then pounced on him, wrapping his arms and legs around him. "I love them. Thank you for such a thoughtful gift," he said and kissed Lachlan deeply and thoroughly. "I'm already thinking I'm going to have to use them for a collection of special oils just for us."
"I like the sound of that." Lachlan squeezed his ass before lowering him back to his feet. "But we really need to go and see the family first."
"I don't want to," Apollo said, nuzzling into Lachlan and hanging onto him so he wouldn't open the door.
"We went through this in the shower, baby. They need to see your pretty face unharmed so they can coddle you a bit. You scared them. They need it. We can sneak away later," Lachlan replied, kissing him on the cheek.
"Promise?"
"Promise. Now, let's go. I'm starving," Lachlan said. He was pretty sure he had lost weight in the last few days because he had not eaten enough calories to counteract the amount of physical activity they were doing. He'd known that matings were intense, but he'd had no idea how intense. He sure as hell did now.
They went downstairs, hand in hand. Lachlan expected to be met by a few family members in the hall, where there were always a few hanging about. He didn't expect all of them. He froze like a rabbit in the headlights as everyone started slow clapping.
"Hurray! My boys have become men at last," Imogen said, catching both in a crushing hug around the neck. "You two took your damn time, and if either of you ever gets kidnapped again, I'll kill you."
Lachlan patted her on the back. "I missed you too."
"You can now ring your shame bell because of the depravedthingsthat I have done to your cousin..." Apollo began, and Lachlan quickly put a hand over his mouth.
Imogen threw her head back and laughed.
"Those are our secret things, baby. No sharing," Lachlan whispered in his ear and bit him on the ear lobe.
Apollo pulled his hand off his mouth. "No biting. I can't get hornier right now."
Thankfully, Cosimo arrived to crash into Apollo, lifting him up off his feet in his need to hug him.
"You are never to do that to me again," he growled, his eyes flashing purple.
"Daaaaddd, I'm okay," Apollo complained, but Cosimo just squished him harder. "Lachlan saved me. He was very heroic and kept me out of any more trouble."
"Don't even get me started on him," he grumbled, dropping Apollo back to his feet. He turned on Lachlan, and he was suddenly very glad that he was Apollo's mate because he had never seen Cosimo so pissed.
It lasted about three seconds before Cosimo grabbed him into a tight hug too. "No running off on your own again, Lachlan. You think you have no one to worry about you?"
"I wasn't worried," came Kenna's amused brogue.
Cosimo glared at her. "Well, you should have been!
"Why? I knew he was going, and nothing could have stopped him. I've trained him well. Maybe you need to just relax in your old age, Cosimo. Might be time to realize all your children are grown-ass men who can take care of themselves," Kenna replied and sipped from her ale mug.
"Auntie Kenna, please don't antagonize my...what's dragon for father-in-law?" Lachlan asked, turning to a glaring Cosimo.
"Father-in-law," Taranis said drolly.
