“Why didn’t he just ask me to make him something?”
Evie rolled her eyes. “This is for the entire Keep. With all the new children running around, all the moms are tired, and we’ve bought out the local grocery store’s cookie supplies two months running. The humans are annoyed.”
I laughed. What a joyful problem to have. “Well, I’ll have a few requests, though it seems like you might need to hire a full staff if you’re trying to feed everyone.”
“She comes with one,” Evie grumbled. “We’re having to build a new kitchen.” She let out a chuckle. “Rowan is both ecstatic and frantic. No Keep has ever had this many children at one time, and they are running everyone ragged.”
“I’ve seen them. They’re like little bear cubs when they shift. How’s Misty taking it not being the only baby anymore?”
Evie’s face softened at the mention of the Chimera baby she’d taken under her wing. The child was dropped off in the hopes Evie and Rowan could protect her, and they had. As sad as it was, the mother had never returned.
Evie said it was for the best, and Misty was as happy as a clam. She was adorable and content, and she’d taken to life inside the Keep like a duck to water.
“Oh my gods,” Evie said. “She has all these new friends now. They play and tumble and get absolutely filthy. Misty comes back inside, covered in scratches and bumps, grinning from ear to ear. It’s wonderful.”
I reached over and patted her calf. “She’s happy.”
“We’re all happy.” Evie covered my hand with hers. “We’re just waiting for you to get there.”
I tossed back my drink and wiggled it for Evie to pour me another. She rolled her eyes and got up to bring the extra over. “Tess and Ash are all shacked up. I still don’t know if they’ll last, but they’re happy for now, and that’s what matters.”
“Thalia and Garrett?”
At the mention of Evie’s sister, her face fell. “Garrett moved on. As he should. Thalia stays holed up in her home. I hope one day she comes around, but the least I can do is keep her safe.”
“And Cernunnos?”
She shook her head. “Oil and water, those two. Neither of them is happy with the other.”
Evie opened her mouth but shut it just as fast.
“Ask,” I said with a sigh.
“I noticed Dad left quickly this evening, and he didn’t look happy. Everything okay?”
“Are you sure you want to talk about this?”
Her nose wrinkled. “As long as we don’t get into the squishy bits, I think I’m good.”
“This might take another drink.”
Evie held up her finger and popped up from the couch. “Then wait a minute, and we shall be all set to lock in and dissect this.”
I lived on the same land as my friend but missed her all the same.
She was back in a flash to refill my glass. Once she was curled up on the couch again, she motioned for me to go on. “Tell me everything.”
When I finished, Evie’s face was blank, but her eyes were burning with anger. “My father epitomizes the saying about a leopard not changing its spots, doesn’t he?”
I wouldn’t say anything negative about Cernunnos. Again, he had never pretended to be anything other than what he was. He had wonderful qualities. But some, like his inability to leave things alone, would probably never change. “I knew who he was when this started.”
Evie nodded. “I wasn’t surprised exactly. More curious why you chose him.”
I shrugged. “Because he’s kind in the way I need. He wanted to help me figure out what was going on with me.”
Evie’s slight grimace solidified the thought I already had in my head. “You think there’s a reason he wants to know why I need certain blood?”
“Maybe?” Evie shook her head. “No one can claim he’s altruistic. He’s not. Dad helps when there’s something in it for him, even if the payoff is easing his curiosity about something.” She sighed and shook her head. “Most of the more powerful fae are like that.”
