Now that the kids had made friends, their adjustment seemed seamless. Although he had just turned seventeen years old, Javier was independent and took care of his younger sisters, while also including Victoria in every adventure they went on.
But at the beginning and end of every day, I took on the parental role.
Everly huffed out a laugh. “What’s your plan for the rest of the day?”
I shifted, tucking my feet beneath me as I brought the tea to my lips. My right ankle immediately protested. I winced and dropped it, settling onto my other foot instead. “After I take the kids to school, I’m thinking about buying some pastries to take to the orphanage. I’m sure the kiddos there are missing Brenton something awful.”
Just as I was sure Brenton missed them. Whenever he was in Niev, he carved out a few hours to visit with the kids. It didn’t matter how busy his schedule was, he made time.
It made me all the more grateful that whatever magic had bound us had made him my brother.
“Do you mind if George and I go with you?” she asked.
I rolled my eyes. “Doesn’t George have totrain our warriors?”
“If you care for me even the tiniest bit, please don’t mention that to him,” she begged. “Elias left days ago, and he’s still complaining about it. If he doesn’t stop soon, I’ll have to rehome him.”
“Rehome him?” I snickered, eyeing her with amusement.
She waved her hand in front of her face. “Ryenne threatened to rehome Nate the other day, but said something about no one wanting to pay the rehoming fee. It sounded like a good threat, though.”
Hee-haw stood, ears twitching and the moment we heard someone moving inside the house, he trotted toward us. As he did most mornings, he paused at the bottom step of the front patio, gave it a dramatic nudge with his head and let out a derisive snort. It was his daily protest against the stairs. Then, with great reluctance, he climbed up.
Everly scratched behind Hee-haw’s ears as he nudged his head along her leg. “When are you going to build this precious babe a ramp, so he doesn’t have to suffer all those steps?”
All those steps? “He has two steps to climb. Don’t encourage him.”
Everly grinned. “I should go, but tell Javier to go to dinner with us tonight or he’s not getting his present.”
I shook my head. “It’s his day. I’m sure he’d rather spend it with his friends than us.”
After a quick wave, Everly left, and I did my best not to hobble into the house. Having already bought a pancake mix from Somnio’s baker, I busied myself at the stove. Once I finished, I set the table with food piled high on each plate.
Since fae didn’t use candles, the same baker gave me candy melts shaped in the same form as one. She’d promised it’d burn cleanly and safely, and the birthday child could eat it afterward. I placed the makeshift candle atop the mound of eggs I’d served him just as I heard him close his bedroom door and yawn.
He walked into the dining room with his hands stretched high above him, lifting the hem of his shirt. When his attention landed on the plates, he frowned slightly.
“What’s this?”
“Your birthday breakfast.” God, why was I so nervous? But the way he studied the plates made me wonder if I’d done something wrong.
“How’d you know today was my birthday?” He stared at his plate.
My stomach twisted. “We had to give your birthday to the school when we registered you.”
His eyes finally met mine, and a smile tugged on the corners of his mouth. He rubbed the back of his neck. “And you just remembered?”
“I mean, yeah.” I shrugged, trying to act casual.
It was on the tip of my tongue to apologize, to ask if I’d mis-stepped, but then he laughed.
“I didn’t think I’d be celebrating it this year.”
Relief unfurled inside me and I let out a soft laugh as well. “Why didn’t you tell me? Birthdays should always be celebrated.”
He shrugged, a little sheepish. “I didn’t want you to think I expected something.”
“Okay, to be clear, my birthday is January twenty-first, and I expect a whole week of celebrating.” I grinned. “Maybe a whole month.”
