That was what Evander wanted, too. He wanted Corbin to wake up. He put a hand on Corbin’s belly, and he could feel the babies moving. Suddenly, he could hear them talking to him again, their tiny bell-like voices raised in concern.
“Lethean, please wake up. I need to know that you’re okay. I need to see your eyes.”
It wasn’t until Hawk added his touch to the mix, his fingers trailing over Cosmo’s face, that all three of the brothers gasped in a deep breath of air.
He let out the breath he was holding himself, his antlers shrinking back down to normal size, his body swaying because he felt utterly light-headed. “There you are, my love. Come on, open your eyes.”
Corbin’s lips parted, and he coughed a little. His belly rippled. “Is he gone? Did we kill him?”
“He’s gone. All that’s left is to get rid of the ashes.” He was fiercely glad for it, too. If the vampire hadn’t been dead already, Evander would have killed him. Over and over and over again. How dare he come into this house?
“Were there more?” That was Cullen. “He said there were more, and they were going to kill Yarrow.”
“I’m right here.” Yarrow plopped down on the floor and took Elliot in his arms because Hawk was dragging Cosmo up to hug him fiercely. “There were some outside, but I got away from them before they could grab me.”
Evander rubbed his neck, but it didn’t hurt anymore. “I’m going to go check.”
Corbin grabbed his arm. “No, please don’t leave me.” His eyes opened, the bright green almost swallowed up by the black pupil.
“I’ll go.” Yarrow got back to his feet, still holding Elliot, but he handed the little one back off to Hawk, because now Cosmo was in Hawk’s lap. “I’ll be right back.”
“No. No going alone.” Orion kissed Cullen on the lips gently and then moved him to lean against Evander and Corbin. “I’ll go with you, Yarrow. Don’t worry, my love. We’ll be back in just a moment.”
The goddess knew Orion had to be freaking out at the idea of leaving the house and everyone inside, but he was being incredibly brave.
Evander was proud of him, but he couldn’t make himself feel the same way. He was never leaving Corbin again.
A soft chuckle sounded, and Corbin patted his chest. “I think you might have to, though, my love.”
“I might have to what?”
“Leave me. I might need you to go find a midwife.”
That had Cosmo and Cullen sitting up and staring at Corbin in amazement. Their eyes so bright. The pink and the purple. “A midwife. We didn’t get one of those.” Question marks popped up over the top of Cullen’s head as he said it.
“Yeah, well, you weren’t having three.” Corbin doubled over, his hand on his belly. “I think this is happening right now.”
“You mean you think you’re having the babies?” Evander felt the skin ripple again on Corbin’s belly, the babies moving restlessly underneath.
“I do. Can someone look at my birthline?” Corbin shifted around so they could raise his soft sweater up, exposing his huge belly.
It was red and opening up, weeping a little bit. And Corbin was absolutely right. Those babies were coming.
“Can you call to your mother? Can she bring a midwife?” Evander asked. “I don’t think there’s one out there in the human world that can do this.”
Corbin grabbed his arm. “Mother. Yes, Mother could help.”
There was a great clatter at the door coming from the Land of Summer. And then the shouting started. “Evander, Evander, what is happening?”
That was his father bellowing for him.
He lifted Corbin in his arms and rose, carrying him to the window so that his father could see. “We need Lady Calla.”
“We heard his shout. I’ll go.” Kristofer turned and leaped into the air, running as if his very life depended on it.
“Thank you, Father.”
Corbin groaned, the sound, deep and harsh. “I don’t want the vampire to get the babies.”
