It must be good to be a dragon.
Tisi flittered about while Elliot stomped right up to Evander’s family and pointed back toward the picnic. “Time for lunch.”
Father looked at Evander, nodding, and he nodded back. “Welcome, Father, Brother, and all of you. I want you to meet my lethean.”
“Hi, guys, it’s good to meet you.”
They shifted suddenly, and while they were not in court robes, they had obviously come well-dressed for a picnic. They’d no doubt heard what Calla was up to.
His father swept a bow at them. “Well met, Corbin of the Third.” He grinned at Elliot. “And what is your name, little rock dragon?”
“My Elliot. Hungry.” Elliot held up his arms, and Father lifted him, grunting a little at the heft of him. Ev had to laughat that because his father was wickedly strong, but Elliot was unique.
“That’s our little gargoyle dragon. He’s solid.”
Elliot grinned at Father. “Like a rock.”
“You are. It’s very nice to meet you. And you, little flyer—” Father smiled at Tisi. “I’m glad my son found you.”
“So are we.” That was Bron.
Tisi whinnied and then zoomed to his sister and then zoomed back to Father, then zoomed to his sister, and then zoomed back to Father.
“Tisi, dude, chill. Come on. Let everybody get settled.” Cullen snapped his fingers, and sparkles flew from his fingertips.
Little Tisi came hurrying over to his dad to see what was what.
Corbin walked right up to his father and held out one hand, completely unafraid. “I’m so happy to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m so glad he’s okay.”
“I am as well. My heart was broken when I thought we would lose him.”
“Then why did you not come and take him back?” Calla asked, her tone snappish.
“Woman!” Bron looked at her, stepping right into her space and looming over her. “You will not be rude to Evander’s father. We can all be civil to one another. Now let us all sit down and have some food together.”
Some of the flowers around the edge of the picnic area wilted, but she simply pressed her lips together and nodded. He had seen her glance at her grandchildren, and he had a feeling she didn’t want to upset them more than anything else.
They all settled together with courtiers that Corbin’s mother had brought with her sitting on the outside, while the family came together on the center of the blankets.
“This is my father, Lord Archer. These are my brothers,” Evander told Corbin. “Alyster, Gregor, and Kristofer.”
“What a very great pleasure to meet you,” Kristofer said, bowing his head deeply to Corbin. “And these are your brothers, Cullen and Cosmo, yes?”
Kristofer could have a mesmerizing voice, and he saw Corbin have to shake it off a little bit, his eyes clearing as he moved his head from side to side. “They are. It’s good to meet you too. Cosmo is the pink one, and Cullen is purple.”
“And you are most decidedly green,” Alyster pointed out, and Corbin nodded.
“I most decidedly am.”
“I’m glad that we’re all together because I have something to tell everyone.” Evander was looking around, chin up. “We are with child.”
Of course, his brothers knew that, but there was a rush of excitement from both sides of the family, excitement and possibly a little bit of fury. There was really no way to know.
“A baby. More grandchildren!” Bron looked over the moon. “How wondrous!”
Gregor’s nose wrinkled the tiniest bit. He had issues with the dragon blood that his mate had, but his father beamed with obvious joy.
“My first grandchild. Honestly, how wonderful.”
