“I’m telling you, we should have brought wine,” Remus says.
“And I’m telling you that Abaddon always has wine,” Romulus counters.
“But not the good wine.”
“His wine is perfectly adequate.”
“Adequate isn’t good enough for a celebration!”
Lauren, walking beside them, looks like she’s reached the end of her patience. “I’m going to knock both of you unconscious if you don’t stop bickering.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” they say in unison.
“Try me.”
They wisely shut up.
Lauren spots Phoenix and immediately breaks into a genuine smile. “There’s one of my three favorite sisters-in-law!”
“Yes, there are just three of us,” Phoenix points out dryly.
“Which makes you definitely one of the favorites!” Lauren sweeps Phoenix into a hug, then pulls back to look at her critically. “You look good. Happy. He’s treating you right?”
“Most of the time,” Phoenix says, shooting me a look.
“What did I do?”
“You know what you did.”
I genuinely have no idea what she’s talking about, but I’ve learned over the past year that sometimes it’s better to just accept blame and move on.
“I’m very sorry,” I tell her solemnly.
Her lips twitch. “You don’t even know what you’re apologizing for.”
“I’m still sorry. And I’ll make up for it.” I pop an eyebrow.
“Ohbrother,” Remus makes barf noises and even Romulus rolls his eyes.
But I only have eyes for my wife, who rewards me with that secret little smile of hers.
We all settle around the massive table. Abaddon and Hannah take the head positions. Kharon and Ksenia sit with Luna between them, who is currently trying to fit her entire fist into her mouth. The twins and Lauren claim the middle section, already arguing about something else entirely. Phoenix and I take seats near the end, close enough to be part of conversations but far enough to escape if needed.
Sabra appears from inside the villa carrying a huge platter of roasted vegetables. She’s been staying here with Abaddon and Hannah for the past few months, helping Hannah with various magical wards around the property in exchange for room and board. The arrangement seems to be working well for everyone.
“The food is ready!” she announces. “Hannah, Lauren, and I have been cooking all day, so you all better appreciate it.”
“We appreciate it!” Raven shouts from her tree.
“Get down here, Raven,” Abaddon calls up.
“But I’m hiding!”
“You can hide after dinner.”
Raven makes a show of sighing dramatically, but she swoops down and lands in her chair with perfect precision. Her wings fold neatly against her back as she sits.
The food that emerges from the kitchen over the next few minutes is spectacular. Roasted chicken with herbs, fresh pasta with a cream sauce, grilled vegetables that smell like garlic and rosemary, crusty bread that’s still warm from the oven, plus a huge bowl of salad with fresh mozzarella. And dessert, naturally, as Raven is quick to remind us as the last dinner plate is cleared away—tiramisu and some kind of berry tart that makes my mouth water just looking at it.
