Page 366 of The Gods Order

He huffs at me, then releases a deep call that echoes across the mountains. Lestari and the hatchlings turn in their spots, heading back toward where the rest of our family is jumping up and down on my mountain ridge.

“Race you back. On my mark—”

“Oh, you cheater,” I yell.

I laugh as he bursts through the air without ever finishing his sentence.

I can’t beat him on my best days, much less when he has a head start.

He’s already reaching the mountain’s edge and I’m just now catching up to my men. Well, I didn’t really catch up; they were waiting for me.

Wicked smiles cross each of their faces, and without a word, we take off. By the time our feet touch the backyard, my cheeks ache from smiling and laughing.

The Veilatara land around us moments later, their wings folding against their bodies as they nudge against one another, clearly pleased with themselves.

I barely have time to catch my breath before my attention is pulled toward all the voices.

Our family has already surrounded the baby Vedaryas.

The little creatures puff their chests out as they stumble around the ridge, soaking up every bit of affection thrown their way. After that first flight, they’re even more unsteady.

Their wobbling makes them more adorable.

Laney kneels beside one, completely captivated as it bumps its beak against her hand.

“Oh, you are precious,” she whispers.

The hatchling chirps proudly.

“Don’t encourage it, Laney girl. I already have my feathers full,” Lestari teases.

Laney looks over at her, faux offense scripted across her forehead.

“I’m not encouraging anything. They love me is all.”

The little creature immediately leans closer to her.

Everyone laughs.

V lowers his head as my mom approaches. Her smile softens as she runs her hand along his back. My dad stands beside her, watching the two of them with the same quiet fondness that always settles over him when he looks at her.

Yemi, her Valtrue, Rose, Lambrit, Mara, her Valtrue, Havar and Seraphine, Meridamus, and Derivius linger nearby, equally fascinated despite having seen the hatchlings a million times already.

Apparently, time doesn’t make them any less enchanting.

And maybe that’s the best part.

Some things are meant to stay extraordinary.

A familiar clap breaks through the chatter, and all our heads whip toward my back door.

“All right,” Annalise calls with Ellian by her side. “As much as I love watching everyone fawn over the littles, dinner is getting cold.”

A chorus of hums and laughter follows.

One by one, everyone begins making their way toward the house, still talking over one another, still stealing glances back at V and Lestari as they attempt to wrangle the hatchlings who are getting their second wind.

I stay behind for just a moment.