To me, he bowed. “Your Majesty.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Now where is that little target of future spoiling by his auntie?”
While Kem stayed behind to exchange pleasantries with her former co-worker, I charged into the castle’s Great Hall.
Raewyn sat on one of the long settees, surrounded by gift boxes. She paused in the middle of opening one and looked up as I dashed into the room.
“Oh you’re here,” she cried and stood, opening her arms.
“Sit down, sit down. I’ll come to you,” I said. “It’s been only three days since you pulled off a heroic feat neither of my brutish big brothers could’ve managed. You need to rest.”
She laughed and sat again, hugging me as I reached her. I took a seat next to her on the settee.
“Howareyou? You look wonderful.”
“I’m good. I’m so good,” she said. “Elanor was the best during the delivery and afterward, and don’t worry, Pharis has madesureI’m resting.”
“Good. Where is he? And where is that sweet baby?” I looked around, not seeing either of them, though there was an empty bassinet not far from Raewyn’s position.
“His papa took him for a walk outdoors. The little prince was a bit fussy,” she said.
She rolled her eyes and smiled happily. “Pharis can’t stand to hear Rune cry for even a second. I swear we’re going to raise the most indulged child ever.”
“The mostlovedchild,” I said, reaching forward and covering Raewyn’s hand with mine.
“I’ve never seen a man more excited than Pharis was when he informed us you were expecting,” I told her. “He’s going to make sure your son gets all the love and understanding and approval our own father withheld from us. He’s going to be a wonderful father.”
Her smile widened. “He already is.”
One of the glass doors leading from the terrace opened, and Pharis stepped inside. He smiled broadly when he spotted me.
“Look son,” he said to the bundle in his arms. “Your favorite auntie has arrived.”
Raewyn spoke up. “I believe Tindra and Turi will have something to say about that when they arrive from Sandy Point.”
I was already on my way over to Pharis and the baby, but I turned back to look at her.
“I’m bigger than they are—and I can glamour up an entire petting zoo whenever he wants one.”
Raewyn laughed. “You have a point. I think you’ll win that contest.”
Reaching my brother, I stared down in awe at the newborn babe in his arms.
“Oh Pharis,” I breathed, though breath was hard to come by. “He is absolutely perfect.”
My brother beamed. “He is, isn’t he?”
Glancing over at his wife, he spoke in a sappy tone I’d never heard from him before.
“Like his mother.”
Bringing his attention back to me, he asked, “Would you like to hold him?”
My heart contracted in the sweetest ache.
“Could I?”
“Of course. Go sit down. I’ll bring him to you.”
