Page 288 of The Valiant Knight

Graham watched, taking it in, and holding his breath. Then, he saw the little bubble with the dots in it, showing she was typing.

When the message appeared, they read it together, and as usual, Jaxon didn’t let him down.

‘Absolutely. Graham is ours now, and he can come here anytime he wants. I love having a boy, so two will only be so much more fun. Give him a kiss from me, and from Jack and Sam. Tell him we’ll see him at Christmas for the wedding. I love you both.’

Graham read it, and oddly enough, he felt the weight lift off of his chest. Like he could hold on a little longer.

“Thank you for this,” he said again.

He reassured him.

“There’s no reason to thank me. We’re family now, and that matters. I expect a call from you weekly to make sure you’re okay.”

He laughed.

“Sundays good for you, Dad?”

Tony grinned.

“Perfect,” he said, patting him on the back. “Feel better?” he asked.

Graham actually did. Oh, his heart still hurt, missing D’Artangnan, but he might be able to hold on for a while because he felt love.

“Yes.”

Tony was glad.

As he was about to say something, they heard it. There was talking, and it sounded like it was coming toward the library.

They both froze, and stared at the open door.

What they didn’t expect was exactly what happened next.

Two dark figures walked past, cloaked, and talking in low murmurs.

Tony blinked.

“Did you just see what I saw?” he asked, as Graham was already getting up to follow them.

Well, he wasn’t leaving him behind.

The two of them peeked their heads out into the stone corridor that led back to the kitchen. There, they could see the translucent figures walking.

Hand-in-hand.

“That has to be Duncan and Ciarán,” Graham whispered.

It had to be.

They began following, and they caught the tail end of them as they moved up the stairs in the kitchen, that led to the tower.

At the top, they heard the door open with a squeak, and then close again.

Both men looked at each other.

“Not it,” said Tony.

Graham laughed.