“Don’t look at him like that,” Jasmine told George. “He’s a baby, and you’re going to hurt his feelings.”
“Thatbabyhurt my knees,” George grumbled.
“He hurt you?” Victoria peered up at him through wide, worried eyes.
George lifted her high enough to push his head into her stomach. She giggled, but then her expression turned serious.
“Uncle George, did Hee-haw hurt you?”
George kissed her forehead. “Nah.”
With her still in his arms, he grabbed Jasmine while Elias scooped Juanita from the couch he’d just thrown her on.
“Evander should be here soon,” Elias said. “Which means it’s time for youpequiñitasto head to your playroom.”
The girls groaned.
“Unless you want to stay and hear the adults talk about boring adult stuff,” I said with a lift of my brows.
With that, Elias and George were able to corral the girls to their playroom while Hee-haw lay at Everly’s feet. After sliding off a boot, she pet Hee-haw with the bottom of her foot. When they returned, George sat on the floor next to Everly, who’d nestled close to the fireplace with a blanket across her lap, while Elias took a spot on the otherwise empty couch.
It almost felt normal. Except I was fairly sure nothing would ever be normal again.
I hadn’t seen Brenton since he’d returned to drop Alastor off at his place. Since Brenton’s home had also been destroyedin the attacks, he’d agreed to stay at George and Everly’s home. While I’d prefer he stayed with us, Finley and her intended needed to live in our spare room. I understood why Brenton stayed away, but I wanted to speak to him about . . . everything, really.
Etienne had been reinjured and suffered another traumatic brain injury during the explosion even though he’d been evacuated thanks to George’s seer magic. But under Leah’s care, Etienne had woken from his coma the day after the explosion. While the headache he’d woken with had been mild, it’d intensified until Leah was forced to put him back to sleep. That was when it’d been decided he’d be better off staying at our place while Leah kept him under until she could figure out how to treat him.
I felt bad for Finley, who rarely left his side.
Aidas carried a box of pastries with a fruit bomb sticking out of his mouth while Javier twisted his thumbs in his shirt. I didn’t need my magic to sense the tension coming from both Javier and Kieren, who kept staring at his dad.
I took a pastry from Aidas before I sat beside my husband. It was almost instinctual to press myself against his warm body. With my eyes narrowed, I pointed my pastry at Javier and Kieren.
“What’s going on?” I asked them. “What are y’all up to?”
Silas chuckled. “I’ve been asking Kieren the same question since I saw him this morning. He said he’d tell me when we were all together so he and Javier could explain.”
Delaney pinched her lips together but gave Javier’s hand a supportive squeeze. From where Alastor stood in front of our living room window, he took a pastry from Aidas with a nod.
“We’re all together except Brent, but he can’t make ittonight,” Elias said, drawing me closer to his side. “Unless you want to wait for Evander to get here.”
“No.” Javier scratched the back of his neck. “I’ve been thinking, and I brought it up to them.” He pointed at his friends. “A lot has happened since the endless winter started back home.” His laugh came out timid. “The thing is, things keep happening,lifekeeps happening, and I haven’t really done anything. I want to be able to fight for myself, for my sisters, for y’all’s sons that are my family too. I don’t want life to just keep happening to me while I stand by and don’t do anything about it.”
Waiting for him to continue, I gripped the edge of the couch while Elias asked, “What do you want to do?”
Javier shrugged. “I want to join the military school.” He dug his teeth against his bottom lip. “I know it needs to be rebuilt, and I’m not fae and don’t have magic, but maybe I can help rebuild it. If I can prove I’m not useless, maybe they’ll accept and train me. I know you’re king and all”—he looked at Elias—“and I’m sure you can make them accept me into the school, but I want to earn it on my own.”
Kieren’s magic brushed against my mind, and although I’d lost my mind-speak magic, his open connection between all of us allowed us to still communicate.“I want to join too. I know the way I communicate is different and some consider it a disability, but I’d like to help rebuild and maybe earn my way in too.”
“No one’s ever had to earn their way into the military school,” Elias said. “Whoever wants to join may join. I don’t see why this should be any different for either of you.”
“The school has never had humans before. They may not want someone like me, especially after . . . everything.”
Kieren scratched his nose.“They’ve never had someone likeme either. Years ago, I researched it in the library’s archives, and I don’t know whether they’ve never accepted someone who cannot speak aloud or if those fae have simply never enrolled.”
“We’ve never had a warrior with one arm before either, but I’m finding a place for Hayden in our military once he’s fully healed,” George said, and Elias nodded.
“The true value of a warrior or person doesn’t come from what they have or don’t have but who they are,” Elias said. “If you wish to serve this kingdom, then we are fortunate to have the skill sets you each possess. When you’re ready to go, George will take you to the grounds.”
