Avor thought and then nodded. “The flight attendant.”
“Correct.”
“Good. She will call you when they land?”
“She won’t have to. I will know when they are safe. Part of the joy of being me.” She smiled, and her husband kissed her. They could hear Ira running around and explaining her project to the ladies working in the kitchen.
Regis laughed and then sobered. “It’s a pity that Elaheh isn’t here anymore. She could have helped with a robotic exploit instead.”
“She is safe in the emperor’s household, just as our little girl is.” Avor stroked her cheek.
“In cuffs.”
“You know why she needs to be restrained.”
“Yes, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
He hugged her. “I know, but we may be grandparents again.”
“There are four hundred thousand of our descendants on this world.”
He chuckled. “Yes, and one percent of them are enhanced betas or omegas. And out of those, two hundred are elf omegas. How many have you accounted for?”
“Uh, about fifty.”
“Well, the alphas need to keep their senses on alert. I would have gone mad if I weren’t able to find you.”
“I think you are only partially here sometimes, and then you see me or Ira and you snap back together.”
He nodded. “I think of our past often, of what happened, and how I will never let it happen again.”
Regis nodded. “You do that. I am going to get you a cupcake.” She patted his cheek and eased past him. “Give the boys a pep talk, would you? Patience is one of your strengths. I think the scorpion is really agitated.”
“Right. Not a desirable situation. Chocolate, if it’s available.” He smiled.
She nodded and headed into the kitchen.
When Regis returned with a tray of cupcakes, the alphas were all hunkered together and talking quietly. She walked up to Avor, handed him his cupcake, and then offered the other guys a sweet treat. Regis walked out and went to talk about what her daughter was going to need for her project. It was a pity that Rache was out of town. She was a wonder with wiring; her work was all over the new palace.
* * * *
EDEN WAS SLEEPING WITHa super soft blankie over her. Moira got up and walked over to Joy. “What can I offer you in exchange for coffee?”
Joy smiled. “Coffee is free, but if you are giving hugs, I am always willing to take one.”
Moira reached out and hugged Joy, unsurprised when Joy grew to six one with pale skin and hair.
She laughed. “Figured. You move a certain way.”
Joy stroked Moira’s cheek. “You are really stuck?”
“Yup.”
“Make your first stop sunscreen.”
She smiled. “Will do. Where are we landing?”
“The royal village. You will stay there overnight in the residence, and you will be taken to Wonder by private vessel the next morning.”
