Andvari glanced at Draco, then back at Henry. “You’re patrolling?”
Henry scowled at the doubtful tone. “Yes.”
“Then I’ll stay with you,” Andvari said.
Draco sighed and reached out to pull Henry back against him before he lost his temper. “Do you doubt my ability to keep him safe, vampire?”
Andvari looked back at Draco, obviously torn. But he knew how to answer without raising Draco’s ire. “No. I don’t doubt you.”
“Then go inside. It’s our turn.”
Andvari scowled, but stomped his way into the house. Henry pulled away from Draco and scowled at him in much the same way Andvari just had.
“Why did you do that?”
Draco smiled and reached for Henry’s hand. “Because you don’t understand some things, and I want to explain them to you. I think, perhaps, you and Andvari have not gotten off on the right foot.”
“He’s a pain in the ass and thinks I’m helpless,” Henry said.
Draco guided them around back and let his dragon eyes come to the forefront. His dragon had been quiet for so many years, resting in the back of his mind, that he’d forgotten how heady the feeling was having that extra pull of power at his fingertips.
As he looked around now with his other eyes in focus, he could see the line of the wards Henry had laid around the property. They were in rings, concentric circles much like the mark he bore as a guardian of the chosen one. The wards were strong, but could be even more so if Henry knew more about his abilities.
“He thinks you’re important and wants to keep you safe. And, if I’m not mistaken, he thinks you’re incredibly handsome and wants to do other things to you as well.”
Henry tripped over his feet, but Draco was prepared after years of imparting shocking realities to Sawyer. He caught him before he hit the ground and helped Henry regain his footing. He could do nothing about the way his jaw had fallen open or how wide his eyes had gotten.
“Clearly, you missed the signs,” Draco continued. “Here, you need to strengthen the outer ward.”
Henry sputtered. “Wait. What?”
“The outer ward. Add another layer.”
“That’s not what I—”
“I know. Concentrate. See the magic and bind it tighter.”
“You’re confusing me on purpose,” Henry said with a scowl. “I don’t like it.”
“Yes, you do,” Draco said. He stepped behind Henry and pressed close. “You like being bossed around, but you also want to be independent. You’re used to having an alpha, but aren’t used to it being someone other than your father.”
“I don’t… no, that’s not…”
“Focus, Henry. Strengthen the ward.”
Henry sighed and his magic rose to the surface.
Draco could feel the cool wash of it roll over him and his dragon responded by lighting him up. A small shudder rolled through him and he pulled Henry even tighter against his body.
“Whoa,” Henry said with a sigh. “My magicreallylikes you.”
“And my dragon really likes you,” Draco replied. He gave a small push with his hips against Henry’s ass to prove just how much.
“Oh wow. That’s… wow.”
“Yes, it is. Now strengthen the ward.”
Henry growled at him but raised his hands and let his head fall back against Draco’s shoulder. His arms moved like a conductor as he directed the symphony of his magic with exquisite precision.
