A Cold Wind Blows (Forgotten series, #3)

Chapter 22: Part 2

"Where are Lander and Graham?" I hadn't seen or heard them since I had arrived. I stood up and moved over to Caden, picking him up. He startled slightly before he dropped his hands from his ears and stared at me.

"Hiding in their room. Eli was getting too shrill for Lander's hearing and Graham slept in." Lace moved around the kitchen doing what looked to be making a bottle for Nina as the little girl gurgled happily.

"Do you want to tell them or could I go and get them?" It was another slight push to see if she would allow me into her inner den, not a push for her sanctum but one that would allow me to enter into the further parts of her den.

"Go and inform them. I will tell Caden." Her back was to me and I moved closer, setting the slightly wary Caden on the floor next to her. He had accepted my presence but he still wasn't sure about me yet. I was getting there and so was he, it was all that mattered.

"Alright." I tried my hardest to hide my smile at the second success I had with her. I wasn't going to say anything about it. She must have been extremely tired in order for her to acquiesce to my demands. I moved into the hallway and towards the boys' room without stopping. I didn't want to give her time to change her mind. I pushed open the door and the two of them looked at me in surprise. Graham surprise faded and he bolted off his bed and towards me. I caught him with a laugh and lifted him up. "We are going to go to the bathhouse." I smiled at him and I turned my head, taking in their room. It was slightly messy but I could see that it was mainly toys. Lace was almost a clinically organized person and I could see how it bled into the boys.

Eli was stripping off his pyjamas with excitement and I walked over to Lander with a smile. He had been doing homework that he was now putting away. He was a very efficient at doing it, Brin had done well in teaching him good study habits.

"Lace is letting you come with us?" He looked surprised and I didn't blame him. Lace was overly protective over them and Lander was well aware of it. I briefly wondered if he knew that we were mates. It wouldn't surprise me if he figured it out.

"She's actually letting me take you guys to the bathhouse so she can get a few things done here." If I thought he was surprised before it was nothing on the look he was currently sporting

"Really?" He looked utterly flabbergasted and I nodded. I felt the same way when she gave in.

"Yes." I nodded and I shifted Graham in my arms. Lander shook his head, a smile growing on his face.

"That is so cool! We get to go to the bathhouse with you!" Graham wrapped his arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back before I set him down to help Eli get dressed. Their room smelled like them and faintly of Lace. I could tell she had given them a space and respected it, only entering when they required it of her.

"What do you want to wear?" It didn't really matter because he wouldn't be wearing it for long but Eli grabbed some clothes out and held them out for me.

"Dress?" He tilted his head and I nodded as I took the clothes and crouched down in front of him to help him get dressed.

"Yes, we get dressed." I held out the pants and he stepped into them before I tugged them up. "You guys can get ready to head out as well." I smiled over at Graham and Lander and they both nodded as they rushed out of the room. Eli tugged at my shirt with a small whine, I turned back to him. He was such a demanding little thing. I smiled at him before I pulled his t-shirt over his head. There was a feeling of peaceful joy that rested at the center of my chest as I helped my youngest son get dressed in his sanctuary.

"Go now?" He looked up at me as he held onto my shoulders as I tugged his socks on. I gave him a large smile.

"Yes, we go now." I held out my arms as he gave a happy chirping sound and wrapped his arms around my neck. I stood up and carried him out of the room. He still needed his jacket on but it had grown much warmer out, winter finally letting its grasp on the mountain slip away. I moved into the main room and Lace was gently patting Nina's back. I tried to keep my eyes off of her as I carried Eli to the door and set him down. Caden and Graham already had their jackets and boots on and Lander was just slipping his on. He more than likely helped his brothers get dressed. That had me reaching out and ruffling his hair affectionately. He was such a good boy. I helped Eli into his jacket and held his boots so he could step into them.