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“I had a good day, so I missed you.”
Nodding slowly, he shifted to put his arm under her and tugged her slightly closer. “This is a one-off thing. I won’t be in the same bed as you until you make an honest man out of me.”
Her body rocked as she chuckled. “It’s a one-off thing.”
Her confirmation brought more dread than was probably necessary. She was merely responding to what he’d said, but those words made his heart heavy.
“Clary, are we okay?”
“You’re perfect, Seth.” She snuggled closer. “Goodnight.”
“I love you.” He gave her a peck on the hair.
“I love you, too.”
Seth couldn’t really sleep with her in his arms. He didn’t dare to move, and he barely dared to breathe, worried he’d jar Clary.
He wasn’t sure if Clary was asleep either.
Though she was still, she didn’t seem completely relaxed. Eventually, though, her breathing evened out, and she melted against him.
Seth continued to remain as still as he could. Then, though he really didn’t want to leave her, he had to check on Oliver. So he slowly pulled away from her and went downstairs to check in on Oliver’s room.
Zane’s eyes flew open when the door opened.
“Just checking in,” Seth whispered.
His youngest brother was sleeping soundly.
On the bed that they had laid out on the floor, Zane turned on his back. “Just go to bed. I’m here.”
Seth nodded and closed the door. Instead of going back to bed, he went downstairs to check in on Elton.
Elton had volunteered to stay on the couch tonight since he was going to study anyway. And he was. “Why are you still up?” he asked when Seth got downstairs.
“I just wanted to see if you need anything.”
Elton shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Seth walked over and checked his brother’s cup. Since it was empty, he picked it up and went into the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water, downed it, then refilled Elton’s glass.
When he got back to his brother, Seth put the glass down on the coffee table and was about to head up when he hesitated. “Are you okay here?”
Elton lifted his chin.
“I know how you feel about the Eolenfelds,” Seth said.
“I thought I knew how you feel about the Eolenfelds.”
Seth sighed. Why did he bother?
He took a step toward the stairs, then turned around and sat on the couch.
“Are you going to give me another lecture on being nice to Clary?”
Seth wasn’t sure why he was doing this. Perhaps it was because he’d seen how Clary insisted on getting all his brothers involved in everything. Perhaps it was because he realized that if Clary could extend her grace to Elton’s grumpiness, surely Seth, as his brother, could do so too. “Why are you so unhappy all the time?”
Elton’s brows drew together, and he twisted his torso so he could give Seth a proper glare.
