“Bat’s bones,” Zane groaned. “Casimir’s spiraling.”
“Seri, just…” Ko scrubbed his hand over his face. “How long have you known, beloved?”
“A couple of weeks.”
“Weeks?!” we three rumbled in unison.
“I was going to tell you, but then we went to visit Josslyn at Five Fangs, and I was having too much fun with Luna Posy and her cute little triplets to think about it. Then, after we got home, Addison perfected that spinning round-house kick, and I couldn’t steal his thunder. Then Foster went on vacation, and that made me too sad to tell you. Then I wanted apple turnovers, and then I was fixing this book, and then I—”
“Then youwhat?” I nearly lunged. “You knew forweeks, and you didn’t tell us? You— You went onhunts! You—”
“Shadow walked alone,” Ko growled.
“—inhaled toxic marker fumes!”
“Cas, let go of the fang-rotted markers!” Zane cut in.
“Listen. I’m fine.” Seri rolled her eyes, shifting to sit up. “The baby’s fine. I promise I’ll be careful, and I’ll stop shadow walking if that makes you happy.”
Ko exhaled slowly, massaging his temples with his fingertips like he was manifesting patience from the?aumakuathemselves.
“Hope you know a whole new rulebook is in your future, sweetheart.” Zane, from his collapsed position in the chair, let out a weak laugh as he stared at Brumous. “Double nom-noms tonight, murder dog, for figuring it out before we did.”
The wolf yipped, thumping his tail.
“He’s a smart boy.” Seri smiled, rubbing behind his ears.
“You are not leaving Evermere until our baby’s born.” I drilled my thumb between my eyes.
“Maybe.” She arched a brow.
“You will rest.”
“We’ll see.”
“You will not touch any more books with a permanent marker.”
“Can’t promise.”
She grinned. Zane let out a bark of laughter. Koa groaned so forcefully, I thought he might pass out.
And me? I was already preparing for war. Our beloved and our future were more precious than anything in this world, and I would do whatever it took to protect them.
Even if that meant burningevery damn permanent marker in Evermere.
The End
Bonus Story: Bean There, Birthed That
Okay, look. This next story didn’t make it into the main novel because of “narrative flow” and “plot reasons” and something Cas called “editorial restraint,” whatever that means. But we all know therealreason: It was too much for the world to handle. Too powerful. Too emotional. Too many bodily fluids.
So here it is. The full uncensored birth extravaganza. There was shouting. There was crying. There may have been fainting. Ko swears it wasn’t him, which is adorable, considering I had the bruises from wherehefell onme.
Anyway, if you want the real story, grab a snack, maybe a drink (make it a strong one), and dive in knowing you’re not ready.
Wedefinitely weren’t.
— Zane D. Cimmerian
