Clayton didn’t blame him. What was there to say that wasn’t utterly sad and pointless? Platitudes weren’t going to help anything.
“I’m sorry,” Clayton said simply. “I wish I’d been able to find your baby instead of giving you this.” He gestured to his fully grown body.
Elena relaxed her death grip on him and finally showed him her tear-streaked face. “It’s not your fault. Please, neverapologize to us about that or anything ever again. We let you down.Ilet you down by sending you away like that.”
“I saw the battle,” Clayton said with a sad smile. “We were seconds from being overrun. You had no other choice. I would have done the same thing in your place. I feel lucky that any of us survived at all.”
“It was thanks to your mother’s spell that we did,” Naerith said. “The power of the spell sent our attackers flying in every direction. The shock of it and the fact that there were no more children to steal sent them into retreat. Our reinforcements showed up shortly after the battle was over.” Naerith spat the last bit in frustration.
Elena stroked her husband’s back soothingly and said, “After that, we worked with the royal guard to set up a plan to find you all. The queen is absolutely furious and out for blood. Once we find the people responsible for this, she’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they’re destroyed.”
Clayton gave a dark laugh. “I’m not sure she’ll get a chance to. With Mal on our side, the chance that any of the kidnappers will survive is slim to none.”
“Yes, he does seem that type, doesn’t he?” Elena said with a knowing smile. “If I had to lose you, at the very least, you gained such a powerful protector out of the deal. I suppose the spell worked.”
“It worked a little too well,” Clayton grumbled. “My foster mother is an obsessive helicopter parent.”
“I don’t know what a helicopter is, but she sounds perfect if she kept you safe. I saw enough to know that she loves you and would do anything for you?—”
“Except allow me to have a life,” Clayton interrupted.
“And I’m going to thank her the moment I get the chance. We both will, right Naerith?”
“Absolutely, my love.”
“Um… okay.” Clayton didn’t look forward to that meeting at all. Maybe he could convince Mal to kidnap him for a few weeks until after the fallout had time to settle. Sharon wasn’t good at sharing.
Elena seemed to think Clayton’s reluctance was due to something else because she said, “Carwyn, I know you don’t need us, and that you already have a lovely family, but please don’t push us away. Give us a chance to earn your trust back. We would do anything for you.”
“No, it’s not that, it’s just—” Whatever Clayton was about to say was washed away by an intense, blistering heat combined with a blinding light that burst into existence next to him.
“Fucking finally,” Mal snarled from the center of the phenomenon.
Thankfully, the heat died away instantly because Mal wrapped himself around Clayton like an overprotective tortilla.
“I swear to all the gods that I’m burning this entire place to ashes,” Mal muttered into Clayton’s hair. “Don’t even try to pull away. You’re stuck like this until further notice.”
“Am I?” Clayton tried to keep the amusement out of his tone.
“Yes, you are. I’m in love with you; deal with it.”
“I’m in love with you, too, asshole,” Clayton laughed.
“Good.” Mal hugged Clayton even tighter than Elena had.
“If we’re staying stuck together like this, would you mind not crushing my bones and organs? I need them.”
Mal relaxed his hold a fraction, but still barnacled Clayton like it was his job.
“Maybe my spell did work a little too well,” Elena said, eyes twinkling with mirth. “I can’t say I’m mad about it, though. Please continue to protect my son, Mal. I can see he’s in good hands.”
“Obviously,” Mal said and held Clayton even tighter.
“Obviously,” Clayton agreed and joined his parents in laughing at the look of shock on Mal’s face.
Chapter
Thirty
