“Tempest, my dear. How I’ve missed you. I knew that it must surely have been your magic I sensed earlier this morning.”
“You were right. I came back with Boon to help him get his house ready for his mate.”
“Oh, a mate, is it? I’m glad you’ve finally decided to settle down,” Lore said distractedly.
“I love your home, Boon. We stopped briefly to take a look,” Evangeline said. “It is very beautiful, and so like you while still being welcoming to a female.”
“Thank you, Evangeline.”
“See? She gets it,” Tempest said. “That was exactly what I was going for.”
“I’d say you nailed it,” Boon said.
“I think so, too.”
“We’ll go over after breakfast and take a look,” Carrik said.
“I do have one question,” Lore said, as he strolled elegantly across the kitchen to the living room, then peered curiously down the hallway toward the bedrooms before turning to face them all again.
“What’s the question?” Lily asked.
“Where is the baby? I have yet to meet the baby.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Uncle Lore. I didn’t bring him this time. I was planning to be here just a few hours.”
“Do you not think that all of us here, not just myself, would appreciate the chance to meet him?”
“I didn’t think I’d see anyone but Mom and Dad and maybe Grand-Papa and MeMe.”
“You are aware that without his Uncle Lore’s influence, he may not reach the heights he’s meant for. I have so much knowledge to pass on to a little one.”
It was clear that Lore’s feelings were hurt.
“I’m sure that you’ll meet him soon,” Evangeline said, hurrying over to Lore and patting his arm reassuringly.
“One day. Perhaps,” Lore said, returning to the table and dropping dramatically into a chair.
Tempest shared a knowing look with Lily, then with Boon. “When I return with Boon and his mate, I’ll bring Eli and Brandt and we’ll stay for a short visit.”
“It’s not necessary. You shouldn’t worry about me. I’ve become quite accustomed to being only an afterthought,” Lore said, as he ended his statement with a long, drawn out sigh.
“But I want to. I should have before now, but I was still recovering from his birth.”
“Well, if you’re feeling up to it, it would be most appreciated, though, I don’t wish to put you out at all,” Lore said.
“It will not put me out at all. And I insist! You are Uncle Lore and Eli will fall in love with you, I have no doubt,” Tempest said.
“Good! Exactly what time today will you be back?” Lore demanded, dropping all pretense of heartbreak and going right into being pushy.
“And there it is,” Carrik said.
Lore smirked at Carrik, then at Lily as she laughed.
“It simply will not do that I’ve not met the lad. Eli? Is that what you’ve named him?”
“Elijah Brandt Marchande’, is his given name. Eli for short,” Tempest said.
“And his mists?” Lore asked.
