Lots and lots and lots of love,
Quin xoxoxoxo
Chuckling, Sawyer tucked the note into the pocket of his bag, then shot his brother a text thanking him and asking him for a list of sizes. Touched at Quin’s thoughtfulness, a wave of homesickness engulfed him and remembering his promise, he sent texts to Mac and Mason, letting them know he’d arrived safely. Then, opening the freezer door, his jaw dropped; his brother wasn’t kidding when he said the kitchen was ‘fully stocked’. He had enough meals to last almost a month. Laughter welled up from deep inside him and for the first time since his mother died, Sawyer felt overcome with joy.
~/~/~/~/~
While waiting for Mystia to bring the books, Carson carried the tray to the kitchen and put everything away. After making sure the back door was locked, he wandered back to the window in the living room, thinking about everything that happened since that morning. The shock of it had faded but the reality still hadn’t sunk in.A Mystic Guardian…I never even knew they existed and here I am, one of them. And Remy, my gorgeous, sexy mate, holy shit! Ruler of the Mystic Realm! Keeper of All Magic! Another thing I knew nothing about. I should have asked Mystia if she had any books about their history so at least I’d know something and not embarrass Remy.
“Carson.”
Startled, Carson turned and saw Mystia holding two, large, heavy books in her arms. “Here, let me help you,” he said, rushing forward and taking them from her before setting them down on the table.
“I’m sorry it took me so long but I had to remember the spell I cast to make them invisible for safe keeping…I must be getting old.”
“Bullshit!” Carson exclaimed. “You aren’t old!”
“You’re so sweet,” Mystia said smiling. “I’ll leave you and Remy to your reading and see you tomorrow.”
“My mate’s probably sleeping by now…it was an extraordinary day.”
“How areyoudoing?” asked Mystia, softly.
“Yeah…well, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Frankly, I don’t really know…I haven’t had time to process it or talk to Remy. My biggest fear right now is failing my mate by not protecting him or the boys. It would devastate both of us if something happened to one of his brothers.”
“You love them,” Mystia murmured.
“I do…they remind me of my younger siblings so much I don’t know if my heart could handle losing them…stupid, I know.”
“It’s not at all. I know all your brothers missed the little ones who were killed, but you Carson, you mourned them…and you still do.”
Sighing, Carson hung his head. “You’re right…in certain ways, even more than the loss of my mother. When Jackson told me my mom was alive…for the briefest moment I was sure my siblings were alive too. And, when I realized they weren’t, I felt like I’d lost them all over again.”
Wrapping her arms around Carson, Mystia whispered, “Mon petit loulou,let the pain out, give it to me so you are free…free to start over with the new life the Fates have given you. These boys also grieve and they need you to give them back their childhood, they need you to love them, protect them and help them grow up to be fine young men. Never doubt your ability to do that. Always remember, the Fates picked you for this job…they believe in you…and so does Remy.”
Wiping his tears away, Carson murmured, “Thanks, Mystia. I owe you so much.”
“No, you don’t…” Mystia suddenly stiffened. “Someone’s upstairs, I can hear them,” she warned.
Chapter 37
“Carsso?” a plaintive voice called.
“That’s Galen…he’s probably had another nightmare,” Carson said to Mystia, before raising his voice so he could be heard. “Hey, bud, I’ll be right there.”
“Go to him,” Mystia urged, “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Mystia…and thanks,” Carson said. Then, books under his arm he headed up the stairs finding Galen sitting on the top step rubbing his eyes. “Hey,” he said, putting down the books before sitting next to Galen, “What’s up?”
“My head hurts.”
“Show me where,” Carson said, softly.
Touching the bandage on his forehead, Galen said, “Here.”
“C’mon, I got just the thing that’ll fix it,” Carson said, standing and holding out his hand to Galen as he flipped on the hall light switch.
“Your wolf can fix it?” asked Galen, clutching Carson’s hand tightly.
