“Bright blessings, Zeke. Thank you. I’m glad I get to finally see you even if it’s only through the window.” He moved as close as he could, because although he would not be able to shake hands. He wanted to acknowledge that he wished to.
Zeke had rainbow-colored eyes and silvery-gray hair and wide shoulders, and he was simply stunning to look at. Seeing the dragons in their natural habitat and not confined to the fae world or other places that were not their normal field of magic was something of a revelation.
The love Bron held for Lady Calla had to be a love for the ages in order to endure living in the Land of Summer.
Corbin gave him a slightly sad smile.He does adore her. She is his everything.
And you’re not here to be sad today; you’re here to be happy. This is a party for you and to celebrate the babies.He understood Bron.You are my everything. Remember, I can go with you whenever you wish.
And you all have to remember, dear ones, my beloved Bron could leave whenever he chooses.Lady Calla’s voice was soft, but so sure.He’s not bound to our lands. He stays because thisis his home now. And I am honored every day to have him. Just like Hawk is here in this house with you, and Evander is here in this home with you, and Orion is here in this home with you. All of us make sacrifices for our families in our own ways, and we do so willingly out of love.
The triplets all bowed their head, and Orion blew rainbows everywhere, making everyone inside and out cheer.
“Enough of this nonsense. Let’s party.”
Suddenly, there was music and laughter and dancing and more presents than he ever remembered seeing, dragons and other folks delivering them from all over. There was even a fascinating stick wagon that Yarrow had created.
“A beaver made that?” A dragon who looked markedly like a bee looked it over through the window. “It’s lovely.”
“Thanks, Tyr! Well, he’s a were-beaver. He’s sort of large, but yes, he made it just for the baby. Thank you for the honey, by the way. It hits the spot!” Corbin’s sadness was lifting, the smiles coming more and more easily.
Or possibly this is for the babies’ toys?He thought very privately to Corbin. He wasn’t sure that his child would be carried around in a wagon made of sticks.
Trust me, if Yarrow made it, it’ll hold up. But I definitely think it wouldn’t fit him for very long, or her, or them. So, probably for the toys, yes.
Evander chuckled because the idea of a were-beaver just made him smile. He wasn’t sure if he’d met Yarrow during his illness. Perhaps he had.
Aspen and Blaze settled themselves in front of the present table and guarded it, which he thought was hilarious.
Lare, on the other hand, popped in and out of the room at a rather alarming rate, bringing food and drink and taking away trash and plates. It was fascinating.
He’s very quick.
Evander nodded to his mate, although he wasn’t one hundred percent sure that was an absolutely valid assessment. Lare seemed a bit confused every now and again, but he was sure that they would learn one another.
Corbin took his hand and glanced up at him. “This is amazing. Thank you so much for thinking of me. It means the world.”
“I wanted to see you smile, lethean. I wanted your happiness.”
Corbin nodded to him. “I am, you know. I’m very happy.” He patted his belly and then put one of Evander’s hands on the same spot. “Someone’s kicking.”
He chuckled because someone was more than kicking. Someone was tap dancing violently, trying to get attention, and he stroked that bit of belly. “Be at ease, child. Let your father enjoy this.”
Corbin gasped and then grinned at him. “Oh, very nicely done.”
“Thank you. I intend to be the stern parent.” Evander winked when Corbin just gaped at him because he knew that they would both shamelessly indulge and spoil their children. He never wanted his children to feel as though he didn’t love them with every fiber of his being and that they were not accepted and approved of.
Oh, he knew his parents loved him. His father especially seemed to be happy to come and see him here and spend time with him. But growing up, it had been so competitive and so formal and hard.
Corbin chuckled. “Well, you can see you don’t have to worry about that around here. My mother is the most formal thing in the room, and she’s even being very casual for her.”
“She is. I’m very pleased to see her here with you, enjoying herself and making peace.”
Corbin shrugged, reaching out to touch the pot she had put down. “She loves me. She really does. She also loves the idea of more grandchildren. So, I have no doubt she feels as though it’s time to make up.”
“Give her more credit than that, my love. She is very much a queen in her own right. It’s difficult for her not to simply snap her fingers and expect people to do what she wants.” He reached up to stroke Corbin’s cheek, running his thumb over one beautiful, sharp, green cheekbone. His mate was so beautiful, and pregnancy made his skin glow even more, so that he was this ethereal, wondrous creature.
Even the tiny bumps of Corbin’s scales under his skin fascinated him.
