Then both of the guys cracked up, Cosmo coming to embrace his brother.
Corbin held on, shaking his head. “I love that little gargoyle baby with all of my heart.”
“You do. You love all the babies with all your heart. And I’m sure your ones are going to be fine. It’s just really unnerving and embarrassing to have a vision in front of Mother and all of these biggie-wows and your people?” Cosmo’s eyes went wide, pink hue deepening to rose. “So damn awful.”
“But it was the perfect thing to happen,” Evander told him. “That way we knew what was going on and we were able to get rid of the threat. Without you, goddess knows what would have happened.”
“He’s got a point, bro.” Corbin patted Cosmo’s back. “I know your visions are your least favorite part of what we do. But today, it was super important.”
Cosmo seemed to relax a bit. “Thanks. I think I needed to hear that today. So do we have any grapefruit juice?”
“If we don’t have it, I’ll order some and have it delivered.”
Evander rose to check, going to the fridge to look at the various bottles there. He knew what grapefruits looked like, he thought. Sometimes there were things from the human realm that still baffled him, but he’d been out there long enough to know the difference between McDonald’s and Burger King, for example.
He saw the bottle of ruby red grapefruit juice and pulled it out, holding it up so Cosmo could see. “Here you go.”
“You’re so much nicer than my brothers.” Cosmo grabbed the bottle and poured himself a glass. “Thank you so much. I feel like I’m trading up with you as far as brothers go. Oh, and also, Hawk and Orion would like to sit and talk with you for a while at some point. I think they intend to cook dinner tonight if you want to hang out with them in the kitchen and do that.”
Ev blinked because that was unexpected, but he could certainly do that. “I would love that, although my cooking skills are fairly simple.”
“Well, then, prepare to be dazzled.” Cosmo winked, then took a sip of his juice and wandered off, humming.
“I think I’ve just been insulted more than once.” Corbin told him.
“I love how easy the three of you are together. It makes me smile.” Evander went to stand behind Corbin, locking his arms around his mate’s shoulders.
“You and your brothers seem more formal together. Is that how it’s always been?”
Evander sighed, his chest hurting for the boys they had been once upon a time. “When we were younger, my brothers and I were very close. But then, we had to settle into our various roles at court. And there has been some resentment ever since then.”
“That sucks, babe.” Corbin stroked his arms, causing goosebumps to rise up on his skin. He did love Corbin’s touch.
“I do miss the way we once were, but that is life in the upper Fae Cappourts. It pits us against one another.” There was always intrigue and distrust.
“You should invite them over. They wouldn’t be able to come in, but we could have supper out in the yard. They could meet the nieces and nephews for real. Your dad could come.”
Evander’s eyes went wide. “You would do that for me?”
Corbin frowned at him, appearing confused. “Of course. Family is super-important. And here, there’s no court to impress.”
“Thank you, lethean.” This place had healed his body, and now he thought Corbin might heal his soul too. He was so in love it hurt his chest.
Corbin stood, turning to hug him. “Can we go rest a bit? I know you were in bed for a long time, but I’m so tired.”
“You’re growing a baby and you incinerated a vampire. You have a right to be.” He took a kiss, then lifted Corbin into his arms. He carried his mate to their part of the house, careful not to jostle him.
Corbin was asleep before Evander laid him in the bed.
Evander headed out as soon as he knew Corbin was sound asleep, wandering through the old house, his fingers trailing over the hardwood as he headed downstairs. He loved it here. This fascinating house had apparently been the home of a clutch of dragons and the scene of a murder. This had been where the vampires were, and it was ironic that, after having been cured, he was here now.
Corbin said the dragon whose home this had been was in the dragonlands now, happy and raising children, growing things. He was one of Corbin’s dearest friends. Cosmo’s too, if he remembered correctly. One day, they would meet through the conservatory in Cosmo’s home, which had been built so that everyone could at least communicate.
In between the three homes, there was a common area, and he found Orion and Hawk sitting there as if they were waiting for him.
Hawk was huge, with scales evident on his face and eyes that flashed with pure fire.
Orion, the unicorn, was an odd duck because he could appear perfectly human. He could appear however he wanted to, but hisnatural countenance was pale and shimmering, with eyes that were just a skosh too big and silvery hair that seemed to hint at the idea that there was a horn underneath there.
