Angel Kin by Jana Downs

occasion. Being bound was really turning him into a romantic.
“What do they mean, Marius?” Levi asked excitedly as he wrapped his spare arm around Marius’s neck and hauled the angel down for a kiss.
“Yours and Erik’s mean that I love you still and always,” Marius  explained, scattering kisses across Levi’s face. “The ones to Madigan  mean that I value the friendship we have with him and that he is a  wonderful friend.”
“Thank you very much,” Madigan said warmly. He buried his  nose in the bouquet, inhaling the subtle scent. “They’re very  beautiful.”
“I guess that everyone is ready to go?” Cross asked as he took  count of the people around him. “Where’s Michel?”
“Right here, Cross. Sorry, was finishing up the dishes Madigan  left in the sink from breakfast. I put them all away so it took a  minute,” Michel said, coming out of the front door at the same time  Cross asked the question.
Cross nodded. “All good. Just wondered where you were at.” He  took a head count once again. “Looks like we’re ready to go.”
There was a moment of pause when everyone seemed to be aware  that they were heading into danger. Unlike before when they’d headed  out, there seemed to be a special emotional quality, a reluctance to  part ways even for the brief amount of time. There was fear there as  well.
“Well, get over here and give me a kiss before you go flying off,”
Madigan demanded, putting his hands on his hips. His bravado was
                          
funny and served to break the tension a little bit. All of the guardians  approached Madigan, standing in a line before him, willing to serve  and protect him from anything that would harm him. It was the way  things were meant to be and the way Cross preferred it. This was the  reality of having a charge. There was no one more worthy than  Madigan of their protection and love.
Madigan reached for him first. Cross could posture all he wanted  about being professional, but the reality was that he melted a little  when Madigan touched him, just like the rest of the warriors. Their  lips met in a kiss that was so sweet it was almost chaste. He wrapped  his arms around the smaller man, holding him close as they shared a  moment of closeness before they parted ways for a little while.
Madigan’s hand touched his chest above his heart. “Be careful,  Cross. I don’t want to lose you again.”
“I will be,” Cross promised. It might seem silly to have them all  lined up, saying their good-byes like this, but it could very well be a  very permanent sort of good-bye if they weren’t careful enough or  their enemies were clever enough to get the best of them.
Madigan went down the line, whispering words to each of his men  in turn and pressing reverent kisses to their lips as he did so. It was  beautiful to watch. When he finished, he didn’t say anything else but  climbed into the back seat of the car and buckled his seat belt. Cross’s
heart swelled. Madigan had a deep inner strength, just like his father.  When he reached his angelic maturity, he was going to be quite a  power to reckon with. Cross looked forward to the day.
He turned his attention from Madigan and nodded at his lovers.  “Keep vigilant. We’ll be keeping formation above the vehicle on the  ride into Sanctuary. If anyone sees anything, and I do mean anything,  out of the ordinary I expect to be notified immediately. Swords are to  be drawn for those of you who are going to be in the skies with me.”  His eyes went to Bren and Yuri. “Drive safe and keep the faith.”
                           
“We love you, too, Cross.” Bren couldn’t seem to help himself as  he gave a wink. “So serious. You’d think we were in a Lifetime  movie.”
Cross rolled his eyes. “Behave, Bren.”
“That’s like telling a dog not to bark, Cross. It’s not going to happen,” Michel