My Champion(39)

Declan swallowed hard remembering the flames from his own dreams, suddenly he was fearful for Avery. "How bad were they?"

Warrick blinked. "Bad? No, they were wonderful. An amazingly beautiful woman hands me a gift. It is a box wrapped in gold paper. She tells me the gift is rare and precious and that I must care for it always. Then I wake up. I know now that Avery is that gift, one I may not deserve."

Declan exhaled in relief. "You more than deserve it my friend. Now, if you could do me a favor?"

"Anything," Warrick replied.

"I haven't gotten one of those floating stones that the twins made for Meryn. Can you float me down to Level One?"

Warrick nodded. "Of course. Do not forget to tell my mate about lunch."

"I won't," Declan promised.

Now he just needed to figure out what he was going to tell his mate.





CHAPTER EIGHT





Declan walked down the hall of the living quarters. He hesitated at Avery's door and then knocked. He heard a light voice say, 'Come in'. He stepped into the room. Avery was sitting cross-legged on the bed looking even younger than Declan knew him to be. Declan walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you doing?" he asked.

Avery stared down at his hands. "I'm okay, I guess. I am excited, scared, and nervous too," he admitted. When he looked up, Declan could see the weariness in his eyes. "What is he like?" Declan knew Avery was referring to Warrick.

"Warrick is the biggest softie I know," Declan said.

Avery's eyes widened. "Really? He's so big." Avery blushed.

Declan chuckled. "That is all that people see, and I think that makes him sad. Plus, his family are kind of assholes, well except for his aunt."

"I'd like to see him," Avery admitted, twisting his fingers together.

"He wants to see you too. Tomorrow in fact."

"Tomorrow?" Avery asked, looking excited.

"He's going to bring you lunch. He is really looking forward to it."

"What about Kari? I've never seen her cry like that." Avery asked looking scared.

"Don't worry about your sister. I'll talk to her. As soon as she realizes that Warrick will never hurt you, she should calm down."

"What about you know?" Avery asked, giving him a look. It took Declan a moment to realize that Avery was referring to sex. He stood quickly, clearing his throat. "Well, it's late. You need to get some sleep now." Declan turned to the door and then turned back Avery. "Hey, if Warrick tries 'you know', tell me so I can kick his ass."

"I thought you said he wouldn't hurt me?"

Declan gave him a wry look. "Oh, he wouldn't be hurting you, Avery."

Avery covered his mouth, giggling, then sobered. "Why would you fight your friend? You don't even know me."

"Because you're my baby brother now, and it will be a cold day in hell before I let someone hurt you."

Avery looked at him shyly. "Thank you."

Declan cleared his throat again. "Okay then, good night," he said gruffly stepping into the hallway. He closed the door, leaned against it, and exhaled. When he looked up, his mate was standing next to him. It was evident she had been listening in. He met Kari's eyes, and she simply held out her hand and led them to their bedroom.

"So I guess were staying in this room together," he said as he shut the door. He'd have to thank the Doc for putting him on observation for the night. Level One's guest quarters were impressive. He turned back to him mate and blinked.

She was staring at him with tears in her eyes. "He is all I have," she admitted brokenly.

His heart hurt for her. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. "Not anymore. You have me and my idiotic brothers now."

She snorted through her tears, the beginning of a smile on her lips. "If Warrick even breathes on him wrong, I will..."

He stopped her threat with a kiss. He put both hands on her shoulders and began rubbing her arms. "I will run interference until Avery is of age. Listen, I know Warrick seems intimidating, but he really is the biggest teddy bear I have ever known. I even got him to agree to wait until Avery is one hundred before pressing his claim. He would sooner rip off his own arm and beat himself with it than allow Avery to get even a paper cut. I don't think anyone will be more beloved or spoiled in the city, except for maybe you."

She wiped her eyes, looking less afraid. She started to say something and yawned.

"Let's get into bed," Declan suggested.

Kari nodded and walked over to the large guest bed. Declan realized with disappointment that she'd already changed into a pair of pajamas. They were silky to the touch, but unfortunately, they covered a lot of her skin. Declan simply stripped to his boxers and then climbed into bed behind Kari. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and they yawned at the same time. "I can't believe I'm too tired for sex," Declan admitted.