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“Maybe they’d like to meet your wampire gnommies.”

Carver giggled. “Maybe.”

“Don’t worry about it anymore. I want you to get some sleep.”

“K.” Carver yawned again.

Dante flicked his claw out, bringing the sharp talon to his chest. “Have some more blood too.”

“It’s okay?” Carver asked and licked his lips.

“Just a little. You can suckle yourself to sleep. Daddy will hold you. Keep you safe.”

“I’m really sorry,” Carver said softly. “About everything. Especially the whole dagger thing.”

“You are forgiven, little one. It’s all going to be okay.” Dante cut a line above his nipple once again.

Carver lowered his mouth and began to suckle while laying his entire body across Dante’s.

After pulling the covers over them both, Dante placed one palm on the back of Carver’s head and petted his precious little one.

Now that the big reveal had happened, Dante could concentrate on helping his boy, getting Carver healthy, and adding to his clan. That night five years ago had haunted all of them, Dante included, but maybe this was the opportunity for all of them to move on. To start fresh.

Carver murmured as his eyelids started to droop. Dante smiled down at him.

For so long, Dante had wished for a boy of his own. Someone that would stand by his side to care for his clan while also putting Dante’s needs and desires first for once. With Carver by his side, Dante had no doubt that his clan would only grow in power.

Tapping at his balcony door caught his attention before Syn was pushing the door wide enough to slip through.

“Hey, girl,” Dante greeted. “He’s better now. Come see.”

Syn leapt up into the air before flying to the end of the bed. She landed and croaked at him.

“He needs our help to heal,” Dante said. “I won’t let him go anywhere. I promise.”

That appeared to make his raven happy as she hopped up the mattress to Carver’s shoulder and snuggled in tightly.

“Hmm,” Carver said sleepily. “Syn?”

Dante wiped the little drops of blood from Carver’s lips. The boy hadn’t taken a lot, just enough to help him fall asleep. “She just wants to check on you and catch a cuddle. She doesn’t usually stay for long.”

“She can stay.” Carver yawned. “She’s family too.”

“That’s right, baby boy. She’s family too.” They were going to work on Carver accepting the vampire members of the clan as well. Yulian would be someone that Carver could talk to about the anger that was still inside him. And as Carver aged into his vampire life, things would get better. Eventually until he was as old as Dante and could tolerate some sun and even drink other than blood. All in good time.

Carver

“I promise to come back.”

Dante finished buttoning the black shirt before glancing over at him. “I’m well aware you’ll be returning as it will be with me.”

Carver stomped his foot. The damn aggravating vampire was being purposely obtuse.

“Unless you want to spend some time in the corner before we go see your friends, I would suggest you think twice about stomping your foot at me.”

Carver dropped his mouth open. “You can’t do that.”

Dante turned and Carver suddenly had his Daddy’s full attention. “I assure you that I can. You’ve had plenty of playtime with Jesse and your wampire gnommies. You are the one that has been putting this visit off. It is now late enough that we will take my car over there together so I can ensure that you are in bed before the sun comes up.”