"She loves any type of vegetable and lately I've been adding in bits of chicken for her."
"Any desserts?"
"Just some fruit should be fine. She especially loves berries."
"I will get started right away." Sebastian practically ran from the room.
Magnus eyed Beth. "I can watch her again while you unpack. Or maybe Caspian could show you his quarters."
Caspian scowled at his brother. "You are positively shameless for trying to entice him into my bedroom just so you can monopolize time with my daughter."
Magnus shrugged. "He does have to get settled, Caspian," he pointed out.
"Fine!" Caspian lifted Beth up so they were eye level. "Remember Bethy, Dada and Papa love you best."
"Hey!" Magnus protested.
Broderick just shook his head and kissed his daughter soft cheek. "See you at dinner, Honey Bunny."
Caspian handed her back over to Magnus who looked like the cat that ate the canary. "Come along Bethy, you can help your Unky in his office."
When the door shut behind them, Caspian pointed to the closed door. "Do you see what I have to live with?"
"He's a wonderful brother and an amazing uncle. Beth and I are lucky to have you both."
"Let us go supervise Tarak and Kuruk. With any luck they will be so babystruck we can have them move things around until they are to your satisfaction."
"Caspian!" Broderick exclaimed.
"They are as strong as they look, we should not waste their offer for assistance."
"Then you will show me your quarters?" he asked slyly.
Caspian swallowed hard. "It would be my pleasure."
"I'm sure it will be,” Broderick murmured.
*****
With Tarak and Kuruk's help it didn't take long at all to get everything unpacked. He still had some organizing to do, but the major components and heavy furniture were in place. His stomach grumbled. "Gods, I'm starving!"
Caspian took his hand. "I am sure Sebastian has already cooked up the feast he promised. Let us go see what he has prepared. You have done more than enough for one day."
Broderick leaned back, cracking his spine. "All I want is a hot bath, a hot meal and a soft bed."
His mate nuzzled his neck. "Then, that is exactly what you will get."
Broderick looked up at Caspian. "You're okay with us not claiming each other tonight?" As much as he wanted to learn every inch of his god-like mate, traveling for the past few weeks to get to Noctem Falls coupled with getting his lab set up had pushed him past his limits.
Caspian tilted his head. "Of course. You are practically dead on your feet and I have a feeling once you have food in your stomach, you will pass out at the dinner table. I do want you to enjoy and remember our first time together."
Broderick wrapped his arms around Caspian's waist and rested his forehead on the man's sternum. "Thank you."
"You will always and forever come first."
Broderick felt the last tenuous strings of hesitation snap concerning their mating. He had truly been blessed by the gods when they gave him Caspian as a mate. "Let's get going. The sooner I bathe, eat and sleep, the sooner it will be morning and I will be well rested." He stepped back and winked up at his mate. His playful spirit died a quick death when he saw the raw desire swimming in Caspian's crimson eyes. When his mate grinned down at him his fangs peaked out causing Broderick to shiver in anticipation.
"I am counting down the moments," Caspian promised.
Broderick gulped. "So am I."
Caspian led him from the room and locked the door behind them. Broderick knew he had done the right thing in following Tarak's advice in room selection. The walk back didn't take long, but was just far enough away that visitors to the Prince wouldn't be poking their heads through his door out of curiosity.
Going through the door, Caspian led him straight to their quarters. "You can pick out your evening attire and I will run your bath for you."
Broderick shook his head. "Don't worry about me, I can do that."
Caspian walked over until he was standing in front of him. He then, reached up and pinched Broderick's lips together. "What was that love?" he asked.
Broderick simply stared in silence at his mate.
"You would like for me to run your bath for you?"
Broderick sighed.
"Of course I will. I have been looking forward to spoiling my mate for centuries, I know you would never deny me the joy of taking care of the one I have dreamt about for so long, you are too kind for that."
Broderick shook his head, freeing his lips. "Fine. But just so you know, I love a truly hot bath."
Caspian blew him a kiss. "Consider it done. Now, go pick out your clothes and relax." His mate turned and walked into the bathroom, leaving him feeling loved.
He took out his suitcase and placed it on the bed. He didn't have much to choose from. He laid out his one nice jacket and fresh change of clothes.
"Broderick, love. Your bath is ready," Caspian called out from the bathroom.
Broderick looked at the doorway feeling confused. He had only been looking at his meager clothing selection for a few minutes. How had Caspian boiled that much water so quickly?
He hurried toward the bathroom and was immediately brought up short by the cloud of steam that greeted him the moment he stepped inside.
"How?" he whispered.
Caspian frowned. "How, what?"
Broderick could only stare at the large tub that was miraculously filled with steaming water. "How did you get so much hot water, so quickly?"
Caspian blinked then laughed. "I am not laughing at you my dearest, it is just, your expression right now is priceless."
Broderick couldn't wait a second longer. He stripped off his clothes, which effectively shut his mate up, then stepped into a piping hot bath. He lowered himself into the water and sighed in pure bliss. "This must be what heaven is like," he groaned. He looked over at his now silent mate.
Caspian was staring at him as if he were going to devour him at any moment. "You are so beautiful," he whispered.
Broderick was glad of the water's heat, he knew it hid his blush. "I'm not much to look at, but if you like what you see, then I'll be grateful for that."
Caspian stood his hand trembling slightly. "I will see to your clothes. If I do not leave this room where the very steam now carries your scent, I will not be responsible for my actions."
"Close the door on your way out so the cold doesn't come in," Broderick said, closing his eyes.
"Right. Door. A door between us would be a good thing," Caspian muttered as he left.
Broderick smiled as he felt every muscle in his body turn to goo. He had already planned on staying in this bath as much as he possibly could, the fact that him bathing turned his mate into a blithering, idiotic mass of lust was just icing on the cake.
*****
When Broderick finally dragged himself out of the bath, he was surprised to find their room empty. He quickly got dressed and combed his hair back in an effort to look presentable. When he stepped into the antechamber he realized that no matter what he did, he'd be severely underdressed. He tugged at his sleeves staring at the floor. His mate, and the Prince wore shimmering silk shirts, crisp linen trousers and smartly fixed cravats. He looked like a commoner going to church in his Sunday best.