It was, but part of me wished to retain every part of control over Wyn and what might possibly affect him. I didn’t desire to control his life, but rather, to remain in it. I did not want to lose him, as it had been exceedingly hard to gain even a modicum ofhis affection, but I couldn’t force our connection. I had to trust that, in time, he would desire me as much as I desired him. Waiting for such a time was going to be hard, but it would be worth it.
Wyn was worth everything.
I rocked Bobbinvoxlyn in my arms as Seth smiled, looking at the two of us. I said, “I was going to tell you. I apologize you had to hear about me and Monqilcolnen from someone else.”
How had our relationship news even gotten out? Iknewhow it had spread as fast as it did, though. Apparently, Urgg and Camden had been telling anyone and everyone about us, claiming to know first, so basically, everyone on board now knew. Kalvoxrencol had told Seth before I could during the middle hour, when we’d agreed to spend time in his quarters.
“It’s fine,” Seth replied. “I was a tad surprised, but Urgg was right, I guess.”
“I’m always right,” Urgg shouted, making the kit start and start squalling.
Seth tensed, like he was going to remove the kit from my grasp, but he remained seated. I patted Bobbinvoxlyn’s back to soothe him back to sleep.
Urgg cooed in their rough, guttural voice, “Oh, little rock, do not allow my battle cry to upset you. I will make a fierce warrior out of you yet.”
“You will not,” Seth said.
“I will indeed,” they rejoined. “I will take him to Barus, and once he’s coated in the red sand from the home planet, he will feel the warrior spirit invading his cells.”
“Sand?” Seth squeaked, as if he couldn’t even imagine Bobbinvoxlyn being so filthy.
I smirked at Urgg. “Barus is not his home planet.”
“So? It’s his second parent’s home.”
“Second parent?” Seth asked. “What in the world is that?”
“Me,” Urgg said, jabbing their own chest with a thick finger. “I’m the little rock’s second parent.”
“No,” Seth said with a shake of his head. “What does it mean?”
“In Barusian culture, often parents will name a second set of parents to care for the kid should anything happen,” Urgg replied. “Obviously, Talvax and me are the second parents. Why would you want anyone else to care for the babe should anything happen to you and Kalvoxrencol?”
“Who else, indeed?” I gestured to myself. “What about me? Or one of Prince’s many brothers?”
Urgg scoffed and waved their hand. “Like any of you compare to me and Talvax. I will outlive all of you. Barusians live two centuries longer than humans or drakcol, and Talvax is the best. Why wouldn’t Seth want me or Talvax to care for his child?”
“Um,” Seth started, but I didn't let him continue.
“So what if you live longer? Seth clearly likes me better, and Bobbinvoxlyn and I have a unique bond. I read to him when he was still in the fetal tube.”
“Bah!” Urgg growled. “Bob didn’t even have ears then. He’s far better off with me.”
“No, he’s not,” I snapped, holding the small kit close to my chest. I would never let anyone take him away from me. I’d desired a family my entire life and now I had one. I refused to surrender that. Besides, I adored Bobbinvoxlyn. He was infinitely dear to me.
“Yes, he is.”
“No, he’s not,” I growled.
“Hey,” Seth yelled, standing. We both turned to look at him. Seth snagged Bobbinvoxlyn from my arms and kissed his small child. “Kal and I have already asked Don and Vince to raise Bob if something happened to us.”
My mouth dropped open, and Urgg crossed their arms, scowling.
“They seemed like the most rational choice. Fyn and Caleb don’t want kids, so Kal and I would never ask them. Vince is my childhood friend, and Don is so kind and gentle. It seemed like the best fit for Bob if Kal and I aren’t around anymore.”
“And you didn’t even tell us?” Urgg asked.
I silently agreed, crossing my arms to mirror Urgg’s pose.
