Chapter 26
Blake was in his office, reading through his emails, especially from other alphas, who were sending people for their defence teams. He thanked them and forwarded the messages to Shiloh and Frederick.
He read through several council ones, saying a garrison of council guards would be arriving in a few days, and attaching all their names. More people he would have to house.
He had heard rumours that the council guards were basically lazy and undertrained. Well, if that was true, they would soon be the most well-trained garrison the council had.
Blake shot off an email to the council ministers requesting a meeting with them all here at the pack house, palace? Nope, pack house, Blake wrote.
His thoughts drifted to Maggon and the magic user that helped him. He remembered Lord Woodcott saying his home was an island, so how did the magic user get there? How had Maggon contacted him?
Blake searched his emails for his email address and found it in a message Puff had sent the dragon lord and copied him in on. He wrote the email, copying Ashton, Puff and Paris into it. Asking the relevant questions and demanding answers.
Blake read the email back, and it sounded terse and angry. Well, he was and hit send.
His phone chose that moment to ping. He looked at the message. It was from Ash, saying Brook was awake. Blake gave a sigh of relief, stood up and walked out of his office. He gave a grateful thank you to whoever was watching over them; all the dragons and their counterparts were awake.
Blake walked into the dragon’s ward, and everyone was still there, standing around Brook’s bed. Brook was sitting up, cross-legged, with the children sitting next to him.
“Welcome back, Brook. How are you and Silver?” Blake asked.
“I was just telling everyone that we are both now fine, fully rested and out of pain.”
“Thank goodness, you had us all worried,” Blake told him.
“It had me worried, worried about what would happen to Silver. Thankfully, we never have to find out. I understand I have Ares to thank for stopping the magic user.”
“And Maggon,” Forrest said. “Ares used his sword and literally chopped Maggon right down the middle,” Forrest made a chopping action. “He fell to the ground in two halves, and his insides fell out. I thought I was gonna hurl.”
Willow and Tobin shuddered and agreed.
“Sorry about that,” Ares said, appearing next to Blake. He looked at Puff. “I know Bob wanted him back alive, sorry.”
“That was only so Bob could kill him himself. He doesn’t mind that you did it,” Puff replied. He looked at Peyton. “You okay?”
His brother nodded. “Yeah. I’m glad I didn’t see him cut down the middle, but I’m glad he’s dead.”
“I should probably let the parents know,” Puff said softly, leaning against Atticus.
Atticus slipped his arm around him, and Mateo took his hand.
“I’ll tell them,” Paris said. “I’d rather they send me hate mail than either of you.”
Ash slipped his arm around Paris’ waist and kissed the side of his head.
“I can tell him if you want. I have no issues with him sending me hate mail,” Blake offered.
Paris shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I can do it.”
“Well, the offer is there. Puff, I should probably tell you, I sent a rather terse email to Lord Woodcott, so expect him to either turn up at some point, or phone you.”
“Thanks. I was going to send him one once we left here.”
“Now that Brook’s awake, we can go and do some work,” Atticus said. He looked at Demi and Brook. “I bet the two of you are wanting to see Eggleston.”
Demi and Brook nodded.
“We really are,” Brook replied.
“In that case, you are all free to go,” Gary said to them.
“Thanks, Doc,” Demi said, whisking Brook and the children away.
“We’ll be off as well,” Paris said.
“I’ll catch up with you in a bit, Blake,” Ashton said, taking Paris’ hand and walking out with Nick and Henry following.
Peyton and Cade left next with Greyson and Chase.
Blake looked at Puff. “Go do whatever and I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
“Thanks, Blake,” all three of them said and vanished.
Blake looked at the doctor. “How are you settling in, Dr Palmer?”
“Okay, your majesty. Ajax and I seem to work well together, and this hospital is stocked with the best of everything.”
“Call me Blake. The new houses should be ready soon for you and your wife.”
“Ajax showed me where they will be. My wife is packing up our house as we speak,” he paused. “She and my other children were gladdened to hear that Thanatos himself took our Earla off to Elysium.”
Blake touched his shoulder. “He always comes for special people.”
Doctor Palmer nodded and cleared his throat. “Oh, before I forget, all injured gargoyles are now healthy. Ajax has just released the last one.”
“Thank goodness.”
Puff, Mateo and Atticus appeared in Atticus’ bedroom.
Puff turned and threw his arms around them both. Mateo and Atticus did the same.
They all held each other for a moment, not saying anything. Atticus dropped a kiss on both their heads and Puff sighed happily. He loved being held by both of them.
Slowly they pulled back.
“We thought you were never going to wake up,” Mateo said softly.
Atticus nudged his shoulder. “We knew you were going to wake up, just not when.”
“Sorry, we needed all the rest, plus it fixed our throats as well. I’m glad we stopped Silver from being taken by Maggon, but I’m annoyed with Lord Woodcott.”
“I think we all are,” Mateo said, as he pulled Puff closer.
Puff blushed and smiled. “I hope this means you’re going to kiss me.”
Mateo laughed. “It does indeed; then I’m kissing Atticus.”
Atticus grinned. “So, get with the kissing already.”
Mateo and Puff laughed, which was cut off when Mateo’s lips descended onto Puff’s.
Puff stepped closer, so they were pressed together; Puff wrapped his arms around Mateo.
Atticus stood behind their guardian and kissed him around his neck.
Finally, Mateo and Puff pulled back, and Mateo spun around and grabbed Atticus by the neck and pulled him into a kiss.
Puff loved watching Atticus and Mateo together. They were the perfect combination of light and dark.
He watched Mateo wrap some of Atticus’ white hair around his hand. Puff found it so hot.
They drew apart, and Atticus held his hand out to Puff, who happily took it. Atticus pulled him closer and kissed him.
Atticus was in heaven. He had hoped that one day he would find his mate. He just never expected to have two and that one of them would be the dragon king. He sent a prayer of thanks to the fates for both his mates.
Slowly, Atticus tapered the kiss and pulled back. “You’re both so perfect.”
“Of course we are,” Mateo replied, grinning.
Atticus and Puff burst out laughing.
Puff held his hands out and both men took them. “As much as I would love to stay here kissing you both for hours. I need to do some work and I want to check on General Delinga.”
“I need to contact my brother. I was supposed to phone Archer yesterday. If I don’t phone soon, he’ll send a search party for me,” Atticus said.
“Seriously,” Mateo asked.
“Yeah, he did that once when Artimus missed a check-in. I still chuckle over that, but I don’t want him sending everyone here.”
“Then ring him, and we’ll go and see the General, then be in the library,” Puff said.
Puff pulled Atticus into a quick kiss, much to Atticus’ delight.
Mateo also gave him a quick kiss. “See you later.”
“You will,” Atticus replied, letting their hands go.