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He beamed at Cosmo. “Let’s get you someplace safe, hmm?”

“Yes. But we need to explore in here later.”

Much later, was his thought.

“No exploring. None.” Eagan’s growl was furious. “No children without adults in the caves. Do you two understand?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“We’re sorry.”

“So sorry.”

“Good. I mean it.”

“Yes, Papa.” They said it together, and they sounded truly contrite.

“Corbin. Can you fly up and see where the light is coming from?” Hawk asked.

“Of course.” Corbin zipped up.Minerals. The light is coming from the west, it’s flooding in and reflecting off the crystals. I’ll keep going, but they’re beautiful.

Don’t go too far. I don’t want us to be separated. I just wanted to know if that was a way out.

Doesn’t look like it.

Then come back, please? “Looks as though we walk,”he said.

“That’s good. We need this clearly marked, and then sealed off,” Eagan rumbled. “Thank you for finding them, Cosmo. You’re my hero.”

“You’re welcome.” Cosmo chuckled, but he felt the tension in that rosy body. “They called to me.”

“You are the guardians.” Eagan sighed. “Come on, you two. Let’s go home.”

“Okay.” The twins meekly followed Eagan. Cosmo trailed after them, and Gavin smiled faintly at him.

“I’ll take the rear just in case.”

“Okay. This is—” The veil.

I’m sorry.Cosmo buried his face in Hawk’s neck.

For what? You’re staying with me.It wasn’t a question.

I will. Forever.

Then it doesn’t matter.Hawk really had no idea what any of this meant, but so be it. Wherever they were, they were mates. They would make it work.

They would raise their son in joy and community. No matter what.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

What have I done?

What have I done?

What have I done?