He wanted Corbin to smile. He wanted to see his mate laugh and be happy. This was supposed to be a good time in their lives, but Corbin was just so grumpy. Evander understood. There was a lot going on, and it seemed like every time they turned around, something else was happening that wasn’t positive. But there had to be a lot of happiness here. He didn’t think Corbin had even explored decorating a nursery yet.
Evander had the cradles finished, so they needed to do that. He had told Cosmo and Cullen, and they had gotten a wholebunch of stuff. Nothing that was a theme-specific, but things they could turn into theme-specific stuff. A changing table. A bed for when the babies were old enough. A couple of beautiful antiques that he could refinish.
Maybe that would gently encourage Corbin to focus more on the coming babies than on how sad he seemed to be. In a lovely open-window shower with the conservatory and the dragonlands, which were still warm and wonderful, that would put a smile on Corbin’s face.
Evander really wanted more than anything, just to put a smile on his mate’s face.
“Hey! Psst!”
Evander looked around from where he was gathering things together in the kitchen to find Orion looking like a secret agent pressed up against the doorframe, making with the shifty eyes. “Yes?”
“Are you ready for me to go get him yet?”
He chuckled. Orion was terrible at keeping a secret. Honestly, weren’t unicorns supposed to be these wildly private creatures? “Almost. All I have to do is take the rest of this food down and check to make sure your mate and his brother are ready. Hawk is dealing with all of the decorations and lights and things out on the dragonland side.”
“Oh, well here, I’ll help you.” Orion came over to grab the tray from him. “You get those drinks, and I’ll carry this.”
“Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it.” Ev took the two jugs of tea and milk because Corbin had been craving milk lately and carried them with him. They headed for the conservatory, Orion humming a jaunty little tune that sounded perhaps Irish.
Irish and fae had a great deal in common, actually.
“Why do you think he’s so upset? Is it that I can’t go to the dragonlands, Orion?” Evander asked. “The trips keep saying that it’s not fair, and I hate that he’s so unhappy about it.”
Orion gave him an appraising, sideways look. “I think it’s because right now, that’s the place which feels the safest. He wants to be able to go there with the babies in case something happens, but if he can’t take you, then it defeats the purpose.”
That actually made a great deal of sense, and he nodded, grateful for the thought. “I think perhaps I can see that. Not that I wouldn’t love to go to Lunastra and see all the wondrous things, because I would, and I know it’s half of him, but it seemed as if he were far too emotional about it.”
“Oh lord, don’t tell him that. That he was too emotional. Never ever tell your pregnant mate they’re too wound up.”
“Of course not. I would never do that. The last time I did, he threw something at me and hit me in the head with it. It stuck in my antlers.” Which had been as hilarious as it was sad. It hadn’t made Corbin smile, though.
“Yeah, well. I can totally— hello, what the hell is this?”
A small humanoid form had popped up in between them and the conservatory. The shape of it, wide-shouldered and yet also somehow blocky and a little bit dumpy. “Hello,” it intoned. “May I help you carry anything?”
Orion stared, then looked at Evander, then stared back at the creature. “Uh. Sure, what’s your name?”
“My name is Lare.” The creature smiled, revealing sharp dragon-y looking teeth. “I am what you would call a house ancestor.”
“I have read about you.” Evander had been reading a great deal about mythology from the human world in the books he had found in the library. “Your name is derived from ancient Rome, yes?”
Lare smiled and nodded. “I am. Or it was. What was the question?”
Evander chuckled and fought not to roll his eyes. Only he and Corbin would get a house-spirit who was scatterbrained. “Wouldyou like to carry the drinks for me?” He handed over the gallon of milk and the gallon of tea.
“Yes, thank you.” Lare took the drinks. “Am I hauling these to the party?”
“Yes, please.” He smiled, but it was a futile gesture because the little guy popped out of existence, completely disappearing with a poof.
Orion snorted. “Well, I sure hope he’s taking them to the party here and not somewhere in Rome.”
“You and me both.” Tucking his hands behind his back, he strolled on, allowing Orion to continue to carry the heavy tray.
“You’re an asshole.” Orion was laughing, though, following along behind him, and when they got to the conservatory, sure enough, Lare was standing there, the drinks having been put on the table.
“What else may I do for you, my Lord of the Hunt?”
He blinked. “Perhaps you could fetch the last tray of sweets for me? I would appreciate it.”
