“Indeed. I believe Draco’s father consumed six of your hamburgers.”
“Yeah,” she said with a smile. “He even out-ate Draco, and that’s saying something.”
“Would you mind preparing a plate for the woods?”
Viv scowled but turned to do as he’d asked. “Why doesn’t he just come in and eat with us like a normal person? It’s ridiculous having to cater to his whims like I don’t have enough to—”
“Viv,” Loch said gently.
She growled. It was entirely human but he understood the sentiment.
“We do not know what holds him back. We must follow Sawyer’s lead in this.”
“Yeah, yeah. How does he do it? He always seems to know how to handle people.”
“Magic,” Loch said. He grinned, and she glared at him before cracking a smile.
“Here. I gave him extra meat and left out the onions. He never eats the onions.”
“Thank you, dear lady.” Loch bowed over her hand as he accepted the dish.
“Oh, you. Get out of here before I swoon.”
Loch saluted and did as she asked, slipping out the back door once more. He kept to the shadows, but didn’t fail to notice Sawyer stepping away from the others. His mate was visibly tired but entirely too stubborn to leave when they had guests. Draco started to rise, but Loch caught his eye and waved him way. He detoured to his mate instead.
“Sawyer,” Loch said.
His mate startled, turning his attention away from the ravens squawking in the trees to him. “Hey, Loch.”
“I had a plate made for yellow eyes. He watches from above.” Loch gestured toward the steps leading up to the hot tub. “Perhaps you will give it to him?”
Sawyer accepted the dish and smiled. “Thanks. I was just going to go ask Viv to make up a plate.”
“Come,” Loch said.
He guided Sawyer up the steps and toward the edge of the hot tub. Eduard had designed small benches around the outside, and Loch had created his own little nest up there with some of the pillows they used on the lounge chairs by the pool. He liked the solitude at times, a place close enough to see and hear, but far enough away to breathe.
Sawyer yawned as they reached the top of the steps. “Where should I put it?”
Loch gestured toward the supporting wall which gave them a measure of privacy from below and one of the bricked pillars. “Leave it there.”
“He can reach it?”
“Yes, my love. He can get it. Now come sit with me.”
“Oh, I should…” Another yawn interrupted his attempt at protesting.
Loch reached out his hand. Sawyer put his in it and let Loch pull him close.
“You should rest for a few minutes. I will keep watch and let you know when the others need you.”
Sawyer opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again. “Thanks, Loch.”
He stepped close and wrapped his arms around Loch’s waist. Loch returned the embrace, leaning their heads together and breathing in Sawyer’s scent. “We should sit.”
“Yeah, okay,” Sawyer said.
That he didn’t argue was a sign of his exhaustion. Loch turned sideways and leaned his back against the arm of the bench, tucking a pillow behind him. Sawyer curled up in front of him, tucking his head under Loch’s chin and breathing deeply.
