That made Az pause.
“Pride Palace time,” I said. “So three in the morning Texas time.” I winced and added, “Someone needs to tell Machar.”
“Not it!” Pan ran for the door.
The rest of the Squad followed Pan's lead, some of them grinning at me as they left. I looked at Az.
Azrael said, “I'll have one of the knights call him. Frankly, I doubt he'll sleep at all tonight.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Vervain.” Odin was waiting for me on one of the couches just outside the bathroom.
Everyone was getting ready for bed. It was Viper's turn to spend the night with me, and he was already in our massive bed, lying on his back with the covers around his waist. I glanced from him to Odin.
“I want to talk to you about what you said,” Odin said.
“What did I say?” I asked.
Odin frowned. “About not being ready to have another baby.”
“Oh!” I just stared at him, mind spinning. “Um. That's when I was confused.”
Odin wasn't a man to be swayed. “Have you been worried about that? About me?”
“No. Well, maybe I have since it popped into my head.”
“I'm content, Vervain. I can wait until you're ready. We've talked about this.”
“Yeah, but feelings change and sometimes I wonder if you guys say things for my benefit.”
“We don't lie to you, love.”
“Not lie, just . . . soften the truth.”
Odin chuckled.
“I'd like to have a kid,” Viper said.
Odin and I swung to face the bed.
“Sorry to eavesdrop, but you're rightthere.” Viper motioned at us.
“You want a child?” I asked.
“Yeah, someday. I think it would be fun.”
Odin made a snorting, scoffing sound.
“What's wrong with that?” Viper asked.
“Parenthood is not about fun.”
“It can be,” Viper said. “And don't tell me that I don't know about it. I've helped with the kids here. I know there are moments of joy and times when you want to strangle them. But mostly, it's about love. So why can't it be fun? I have fun with them.”
I grinned at Viper. “It is fun. It can be very fun. Kids are a source of fun. They remind us to play.”
“See?” Viper waved a hand at me.
