Nia laughed. Christ, she couldn’t even imagine being pregnant for so long! Poor, poor Echo.
Where are you?She telepathed Lore.The meal’s ready.
On my way.
The door opened a second later, and Lore entered. The guys followed. The drag of chairs echoed as they took their seats. Her man joined her at the back.
“Is it time to eat again?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and glancing at the spread.
“Welcome to our way of life.” She laughed. “Yes, meals are three times a day or whenever you’re hungry, not a glass of juice once in a century like in your past life.”
A glimmer of a smile tipped one corner of his mouth as he sat. “Time was irrelevant back then,habibti.”
“Hmm…” She stroked his thigh. “So, everything went well? Were you welcomed warmly into the brotherhood?”
He cast her an indulgent look and grasped her hand, keeping it on him. “Did you think they’d come out with knives?”
“I thought more along the lines of a fanfare, bugles playing, etc. You know, since they haveyounow.”
Behave.
She bit back a grin.
The kitchen door opened, and Hedori entered.
He glanced at the set table and laughed. “I’m not going to have much to do soon.”
“You can be a man of leisure.” Kira chortled, taking her seat next to Týr.
“How’s Aethan?” Blaéz asked as Hedori made his way to the kitchen.
He turned, his expression quiet. “Sleeping. Echo won’t leave his side.”
“I get that,” Darci said softly, taking a seat beside Blaéz, and he slid an arm around her.
“Yo, Hedori,” Týr called out, tipping his chair on its two back legs. “Thanks, man, for being our backup and keeping our mates safe. Enjoy your vacation back in Empyrea. It’s well-earned and three millennia overdue.”
A ghost of a smile touched his mouth. “Indeed. It will be good to be back home.”
“Oh, Heds, I’m going to miss you,” Kira moaned.
“We all will,” Darci added.
Nia’s attention shifted to Jenna.
The woman clung to the island counter, her fair complexion parchment pale. “You…you’re leaving?”
Hedori glanced back, his expression morphing to stoic. “Aye. In the morning.”
“Don’t worry, Heds, we have everything under control,” Kira piped out, stealing his attention.
Amusement glinted in his striking eyes. “That puts my old heart at ease.”
“You’re not old,” Kira retorted. “You’re in your prime, gorgeous and funny. Just don’t get mated to anyone there. She’ll keep you from us, and it’ll make us all sad—” She blinked and winced.I’m sorry, she mouthed to him.
“It’s all right.” His smile didn’t touch his eyes.
Jenna grabbed the huge salad bowl and pivoted so fast, it surprised Nia that the shredded lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes didn’t fly out as she carried it to the table.
