“Excellent. Then you’ll understand why this isn’t happening.”

Gabriel arched a single blond brow. “You seem to be under the impression you have a choice in the matter.”

“Enough,” Caro rasped, unable to stand another minute of this bickering. Her insides were rioting, and she desperately craved a nap. “I can’t do this right now.”

Sethios tightened his hold on her. He’d held her this entire time without so much as a complaint. And that she hadn’t demanded he release her was even more confusing. If she didn’t know better, she’d suspect that she rather enjoyed being in his arms.

“What can I do, Caro?” He spoke low and close to her ear. “Do you want anything to eat? Drink? Do you want to lie down?”

She relaxed into his shoulder again with a sigh. “No food. I just want to rest. Then we can discuss what to do.”

“All right, angel.” He turned toward the hallway. “Stay, Gabriel.”

Her son let out an uncharacteristic snort that caused her to frown.

“Don’t make any decisions without me, Gabriel,” she said, adding a stern note to her voice. “And don’t fight Sethios.” The words surprised her, mostly because she meant them.

“I appreciate your support, but I can handle him on my own, angel,” Sethios murmured as he continued toward the bedrooms.

“I’ll behave if he does,” Gabriel called after them.

That would have to be good enough for now.

She rested against Sethios again and closed her eyes. His woodsy scent soothed her senses, calming her stomach. Odd.

“Your bed,” she whispered. “Lay me there.” Where she would be surrounded by him. That’s what she needed.

He paused. “Are you sure?”

“Mm-hmm.” She yawned as exhaustion rolled over her. “Just for a few hours.”

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you need, angel.” He rotated, presumably in the direction of his quarters. She’d been staying in his version of a guest area at the end of the hall.

Comfort settled firmly over her as they entered his bedroom, and she knew immediately she’d made the right decision. Every part of her sighed in relief, including her soul, as he tucked her into blankets that smelled just like him.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He brushed a kiss against her forehead. “I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”

She tried to nod, but her head felt too heavy. Her attempt at a verbal agreement lodged somewhere in her throat.

Too tired.

They would talk more later.

Until then, sleep.

10

Forging New Bonds

A baby.

Fuck.

Sethios had been able to hold it together while holding Caro in his arms, but the reality punched him in the face as soon as he returned to the living area.

Gabriel had relaxed into the oversized sofa, his legs sprawled in a deceptively relaxed manner. Only his eyes telegraphed the intelligence and lethality lurking behind his calm facade. Sethios recognized it well because the same proclivities existed inside himself.