“I am frightened for you.”
“I am, too.” He could only speak his deepest truths to her. She’d see through any lie he attempted anyway.
She squeezed his hand tighter. “I’m asking your aunties to send cousins. They can stay nearby and partner with the vampires. He is very fragile, Draco. You need all the help you can get.”
Draco would like to argue, to say that she was wrong, but she wasn’t. They both knew it.
“He’s stronger than he looks.”
“No doubt, if what the rumors say are true. Is he really?”
“Yes, Mom. He’s the son of the mother goddess.”
“Impossible.”
But it wasn’t. And she knew that, too.
“My son, mated to the son of the Mother.”
Draco grinned as she puffed up a bit. “Yep. Talk about the mother-in-law from hell, huh?”
Dalinda cackled. “Worse than me?”
Draco wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. “No one is worse than you.”
She laughed and tucked her arm through his. “You’ve built a wonderful life here, son. I know there are challenges ahead. A battle I cannot fight for you approaches. I would give anything to take this burden from you.”
“But you can’t. I know, Mom. Calling the aunties… I can’t believe you did that for me.”
“Well, they all just want gossip about your mate, and they know they can bribe it out of their children.”
That was only part of it, though, and they both knew that as well. “Just as my sister and I are your greatest treasures, so their sons and daughters are to them.”
“Yes. But Draco, don’t ever forget that it is noble and honorable to fight for what is right. The world is out of balance and the magic must be restored. That task lies with you and your mates. Ours to to help keep you safe so you can do what you must to help us all.”
“I understand.”
“I brought the Chosen One a gift. I would like to give it to him now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Draco wondered what she was up to this time, but she didn’t give him time to wonder. Instead, she went into the library and sat down in one of the leather club chairs.
“Bring your fathers and your mate. Ask Joash to bring my bag.”
It only took a few minutes to go get Sawyer and his fathers. Draco didn’t miss the look his dads shared before they followed him and Sawyer upstairs and into the office. Joash handed a bag over to his mom. Draco couldn’t believe he hadn’t even noticed it before. His attention had been on his mom and her reactions.
“Mrs. Volsunga? You wanted to see me?” Sawyer asked.
“Yes, dear.”
Draco couldn’t help that his heart skipped a beat. She never deared anyone unless they were in trouble. His dad touched his shoulder once more as Sawyer went to sit in the other chair.
“Did I do something?” Sawyer asked.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Oh man, it was the marshmallow thing, wasn’t it? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that your mate’s gift wasn’t perfect.”
