Clearing his throat, Kaiden spoke again. “King Adrian,King Xavier, if I am not wrong, it is time for Prince Silas’ nap.”
Adrian sighed, but Xavier said, “You are correct, I figured it was the reason you were here.”
“Ah, yes,” Kaiden confirmed.
“If you must,” Adrian huffed, his lower lip popping out, much like his son’s had earlier. “However, would there be any harm in letting Silas play with his cousins for just a bit longer?”
“Yes,” both Xavier and Kaiden said at once.
“But—”
His husband cut him off. “Adrian, we will have trouble getting him to sleep tonight if his naptime is delayed.”
“Fine!” Adrian growled and crossed his arms.
Chuckling, Kaiden shook his head and walked over to the playpen. The man crouched down and murmured a few words to Ava before reaching in to pick Silas up. If Sin wasn’t mistaken, there was a tinge of sadness in Kaiden’s eyes as he peered down at the child cradled in his arms.
“Uncle Adrian, Uncle Xavier?” The soft words had the room focusing on Caleb.
Xavier smiled. “Yes, Caleb?”
“I’m sorry my sister is so…” Caleb’s nose wrinkled. “…rude.”
Ava gasped in protest. With her hands on her hips, she glared at her brother.
“No worries, Caleb. She didn’t interrupt anything,” Adrian assured, his eyes sparkling with unreleased laughter.
The little boy nodded before turning to follow Kaiden and his sister, who were heading for the door. But the child had barely stepped away when he suddenly stopped in his path and turned back around. Caleb appeared to hesitate forjust a moment before rushing up to the thrones and beginning to fuss with the ties of Adrian’s shirt.
Adrian jerked. Looking utterly bewildered, the man peered down at the little boy.
The laces of the king’s top were tied tight when Caleb moved away on a happy sigh. “Your nipple was showing. Uncle Adrian, you really should get shirts that fit. Okay, bye-bye.” The little boy smiled, waved, and then rushed over to Ava and Kaiden, who were waiting for him by the door.
It would be hard to miss the noticeable grin on Kaiden’s face while he ushered the two out. Sin could swear there was just a hint of the old slightly mischievous man peeking through.
Xavier burst into laughter the minute the door closed behind the trio.
Adrian remained speechless, just gaping before growling, “It’s as if Baylin never left! So much for thinking Baylin and Kellin going on a vacation would mean I wouldn’t be nagged for a few weeks!”
“Caleb is very much his father’s child,” Sin chuckled.
“The fact that he is a child makes it fucking worse. Baylin I can ignore, but Caleb is too adorable for me to ignore or yell at,” Adrian groused.
“Language,” Sin admonished.
“Sin, I am almost ten thousand years old, I can swear if I want to.” The king’s eyes narrowed on his still laughing husband. “Stop laughing! It wasn’t that funny!” Adrian snapped.
Xavier’s laughter subsided, but there was still a bright smile on his face. “So, Sin, when are you planning to go back to your current main branch?”
“Ah, I do not have a specific date. I imagine Iwill be here for a few months. I would very much love to visit the young prince more than once. Also, there are a few cases I have to look into before leaving. Not to mention investigate the only lead we have in the rash of disappearances, which is one of the main reasons I came.”
“Yes, troublesome business, one I doubt will be solved quickly. Though, honestly, Sin, I do not know why you insist on moving your main office every century or two. Either way, you are forced to travel between the three branches when problems arise,” King Adrian pointed out.
“True, but I feel that doing so has strengthened the bonds of my group.”
Gasping in pain, Cecil clutched his right side—just above where his ribs ended. The water spraying from the shower head felt like pebbles against his damaged body—stinging wherever it touched. Cecil was almost positive his father had broken something. It wouldn’t have been the first time, so he knew the feeling well. The trouble he was having breathing was also a good indication.
“Shit!” Cecil swore.
