“I don’t know about you,” Orion said, “but I need a shower. Why don’t we both clean up and then we can reconvene at the common area of the house to discuss this?”
“Fair enough.” Goddess, the implications of all of this were just staggering to him. And it also meant that his brother, Alyster, could be in grave danger. He would have to get word to the Court of Bells.
“We’ll figure it out,” Orion said, staring right into Evander’s eyes. “But you have to remember this isn’t the be-all and end-all of your life. I hunted some vampires of my own when my triplet was pregnant. Just remember, you never get to have a first baby ever again. Enjoy them. We’ll figure this whole thing out.”
Evander didn’t know. He was the one who’d been infected after all. Him and Tisi. So it felt like he’d been the one who brought this in.
Then his lover, his mate, his Corbin, butted in, strong and sure.This house had blood spilled on it by vampires way before you ever showed up. Our house. My house. It saw four dragons beheaded. Myk and Nevvy and the infants drained and kept downstairs in the basement for days. Not everything is about you.
Well, that was clear as a bell.
Absolutely right. Right now, I think everything is about you.Ev let a hint of laughter and teasing slide through their bond.You’re the one who’s having babies.
I am. You should come and worship me in the manner wherein I deserve to be worshipped.
Evander snorted and started to laugh.Come on, let’s have a swim in the pool. I am covered in wood chips.“Have I mentioned that Orion is a taskmaster?”
The last he said out loud and mentally just so that Orion would flip him off as they waved their goodbyes.
Corbin linked his fingers with Evander’s while they wandered to the pool, and he couldn’t stop grinning. Orion was right, though. Threats would come. This was a guardian house.
But this was his mate. His baby. Babies. He needed to focus.
And he was a hunter. He understood focus.
Chapter
Fifteen
Corbin wandered through the house and headed through Cosmo’s place and out into the dragonlands.
He carried little Isabelle on his back and had Elliot bumping along beside him, his happy rolling stone.
He’d intended to go alone, but as soon as the kids caught wind of him heading toward the door, they were there, sticking to him like burrs.
“Where go? What do?” Isabelle’s little mind was so sharp.
“I want tomatoes and cheese and honey on bread. So I’m going to see Uncle Myk, and I’m going to go see Uncle Tyr, and we’re going to make something because the babies want good dragon honey, big tomatoes, and some of that cheese they make on some of Abe’s good, good brown bread.”
“Snacks. I like snacks.”
He chuckled at Elliot. “I know.”
It was warm and summery in Lunastra, the air smelling of green grass and blossoms. The plants welcomed him, curling around his toes, and, as soon as he made it partway down the mountain, a teenager stood in front of him.
“Corbin, you’re pregnant!” Sebby grinned at him, his face so open and so cheery. This lad was universally loved, and it showed.
“I am! And I’m craving— is Uncle Myk growing tomatoes yet?”
“Yes, I’ll call ahead and let everyone know you’re coming.”
“Good, good. I would really love it if someone could get some honey from Tyr’s hives too. These babies, they have a craving.”
“Oh, babies.” Sebby’s grin got even wider.
He nodded, so proud. “Two, a boy and a girl.”
“Like the special Ks.” Sebby actually looked a little nervous then, and he cracked up.
