I told Velra, “He can rest here for a bit if you think he’s too weak to be teleported or vamp-sped.”
She blinked at me, then flicked her gaze to the house. The front door was open because I’d gone inside with Vax right after the battle to clean the blood off us. We could’ve done it magically, but he’d understood that I’d needed a few moments to… you know, calm the hell down.
I saw her focus on the special way the living room was set up, definitely noting the cobalt-blue throws and cushions.
Then she beamed at Vax and me. “This is a new home? For the four of you?”
“It’s our place and—Vax?”
He grinned and stroked my nape, as he told Velra, “Yes. It’s our place. We stayed here for the first time last night.”
“That’s beautiful,” she said. “Congratulations.” She rubbed her fingers together. “Winter has something so perfect to come home to.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. It’s all… moving along awesomely.”
“Huh, I guess your temporary abdication isn’t gonna be so temporary now after all,” Vorzyr spoke, coming over with Evira. “New place. New life. No Dracoryn Realm bullshit?” he asked her. “Exalt all the way?”
“Not something publicized to said Realm or anyone in it yet,” she told Vorzyr pointedly.
He smiled. “You know I’ve got you.” He looked at me and nudged Evira.
She cleared her throat and told me, “I know you offered to come with me to this meeting I’m having with Vorzyr and Fanor today, but there’s—”
“It’s a dragon thing?”
“Not that, really.”
“It requires a whole lot of subtlety and patience?”
She winced. “You know I adore you just the way you are. The truth is, it’s gonna be hours of boring, technically draconic political threads and puzzle pieces that—”
“Got it.” I chuckled. “I’m seriously good. Vax actually needs me as backup. He’s heading home, and I don’t want him walking in there alone in case things take a turn. Some potent Ifrit flame could come in handy if an extraction is needed.”
“Hades, that was a swift escalation you just painted oh-so vividly,” Vax said, grinning at me. “Honestly, it’s not far from the reality that could come to pass. It’s a big ask I’m going there with.”
“For the vibrational resonance boost?” Evira queried.
“Exactly.”
“What was that about resting right here for a bit?” Sylas spoke, and we looked to see him being helped over by Cassius.
I saw Kai, Ariana, and Vorzyr teleporting out.
“This is our son’s new home with his loves,” Velra told Sylas and Cassius. “A surprise he’s gonna have when he gets back.”
Cassius started scanning all around.
Sylas’ whole face lit up. “Things have come a long way.”
Velra stroked his back. “Come on, let’s get you sleeping.”
“For the love of Hades, finally,” Cassius grumbled, which had Velra then stroking his back, too.
It was… fuck, it was cute as hell.
Evira, Vax, and I exchanged a look, getting it on so many levels.
I couldn’t wait.
