Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

Elowyn floated down to lunch with Rowan, still unable to believe what had happened last night.

After making love with Triton and Cerran, he'd cuddled in and let them feed him by hand and allowed Cerran and Triton care for the baby while he slept. It felt like a dream.

Except it wasn't a dream.

It had been an amazing, glorious truth.

Triton had been inside him. He could still feel that huge knot. And he wanted more. He wanted Cerran, too.

He wanted to know their differences. He wanted to know Cerran's heat deep inside. He'd touched. Felt things with his hands. But he needed to feel it within him.

"What is going on with you?" Rowan shook his head. "You're not on the ground. Literally."

He blinked down, then reminded himself to let gravity work. His toes landed on the floor. "Sorry, brother. I'm in a good mood."

"Which one did you choose?"

"I didn't."

Rowan blinked at him, obviously shocked. "You didn't?"

"No. There's no one alpha for me." He waited for Rowan to catch on.

Rowan tilted his head. "Can it be that easy? That…simple?"

"Seer Cain says so."

"Hmm. Well, how interesting."

"I sense skepticism."

Rowan winced. "More worry? Triton was very frightening. I didn't love that."

"He's intimidating, but so gentle. Really sweet, actually." His cheeks heated.

"But I need to know he won't hurt you. I need to believe it." Rowan took his hand. "I worry."

"I know." He squeezed his brother's hand. "I want you to have supper with us. See us together."

"All right. Absolutely. Just tell me when."

Rowan's easy agreement made Elowyn blink, and his brother shrugged.

"What? I want you to be happy."

"Oh, me too." He laughed, hugging Rowan tight. "I'll find out when and let you know. So, what are we having for lunch?"

"Well, I called the kitchen. They have cioppino. It's a seafood stew."

"Yum. I need to eat more fish."

"I was craving. So how is the baby doing? Growing well?"

"She's amazing. So happy and robust. When I think how close she came to dying, I want to cry." Because she had bonded with a valuable stone of all things… Disgusting.

"I know. It's unforgivable. They are our riches—the little ones."

"They are." On that, he and Rowan agreed wholeheartedly. It was the cornerstone of their existence. They helped birth and raise children. Neither of them could ever fathom hurting one.

"I worry sometimes that someone will try to come for that stone. Or steal it."

"I can't see how anyone who lives here would try."

"It'll come from the outside, I'm sure."

Then they would have to come through him. He would not allow anyone to hurt Leilani.

"You look very fierce."

"I feel it. She's my girl already."

"Mmm. What would you like with the stew? Bread and salad?"

"Sounds perfect. Nice and delicious all at the same time."

"Yum. Okay, I'll just call it in." Rowan ordered lunch. "Now come and sit with me. Tell me all."

"Oh, I couldn't." Now he blushed hard.

"You have to! I'm never going to get laid ever again!" Rowan threw his hand over his forehead, all drama.

"Oh, ho! You are. I know you did it since I did. I mean not now…" He laughed at Rowan's look. "But I mean, it was impossible to describe."

"But they were kind? You're safe?"

"I am. Triton apologized, and then proved himself. His heart was harmed by almost losing his mate, his child—he was unhappy. And worried about Leilani."

"I can see the worry. I just dislike that he yelled and stomped."

"He would never hurt me." He knew that now, deep in his soul.

"I hope you're right. I want you to be right."

"I do too." He laughed. "Oh, Rowan, their bed is perfect."

"Oh, you minx."

"It's true. It's like they ordered it for the three of us."

"Maybe they did. If the bond is true, then they're held by it as well, right?"

"Yes. I swear, I can hear them in my head. Like I do you. It took a little longer for Triton, but not much. And Cerran is so clear about what he wants."

Rowan settled down to listen, letting him wax poetic about his braaken.

By the time the food came, he rose for air, blinking. "Have I been talking all this time."

"Maybe." Rowan laughed with him, reaching out to squeeze his hand as he rose. "It's fine."

"I never do that…"

"You used to. I remember. When you were a wee dragon, you used to talk for hours." Rowan winked at him, and if the look was wry, Elowyn didn't mind.

"Well, now it's your turn." He got the drinks out of the fridge, because he was thirsty as hell.

"To talk?" Rowan chuckled and shook his head. "I love it here. Things are busy and exciting, but they all like me. I missed being liked."

"Oh." He felt awful for not knowing that. "What was wrong where you were last?"

"Nothing? But I was a cog in a machine. Here, I'm the midwife. I like feeling special, you know?"

"I do know." He did. He'd felt that way when he'd first come to serve Triton and Cerran. As though he was just a faceless servant, one that no one wanted to see or hear.

He thanked the gods that had changed.

"That smells amazing, hmm?" Rowan set the table and laid out the food.

"It really does."

"Cain has seafood flown in all the time. So anytime you want it…"

"I order for them sometimes, but they say—" Elowyn's cheeks heated.

"What, honey?"

"That I'm not an employee. That I'm their family and beloved."

"That's so sweet." Rowan just clapped his hands. "Well, sit with me and eat, and I'll tell you all about the new baby that's coming soon."

"Oh? I can't wait. Who is it? Who's pregnant?" He was still so new, and his family wasn't't social. Not a bit.

"An omega named Brienne. And her mate is a very kind warrior. I think they're going to be amazing parents."

"Oh, that's amazing. Do they need anything? I'm busy, but I can make…blankets. I still remember how to knit."

"Oh, I imagine they would love that. They have no family here." Rowan took a sip of soup. "But Cain has a stone picked out, he thinks."

"That's excellent." They had moved his stone to live between Cerran and Triton's just yesterday. It had glowed, so happy. He loved how the stones looked together, and how Leilani's had almost throbbed with power when all of them were on the shelf in the same room.

It was an amazing feeling, to know they were a family. That their heartstones believed that, sang together.

"I love that you look so happy, sollon. I love to see you smile."

"They're good alphas, Rowan. Amazing dragons. You saw him at his worst."

"I believe you." Rowan nibbled a scallop. "I do. I'm just pleased for you."

"I never believed it would happen. So have faith. It will for you too."

"One day. I'm happy here, especially now." Rowan winked at him. "I have my brother."

They sat there, smiling, and finally they just got up and moved to the couch, taking their lemon bars with them. They both loved lemon, and so they sat close, nibbling on them, just bonding as brothers.

His phone rang as they were finishing up, Triton's face coming up, so he answered. "Hello, braaken."

"Hailee. I wanted to tell you we are going to take Leilani out to the green area to play before the first snows come. Cain says it's on the way."

"So soon?" He blinked. "Well, then, we should go. Rowan, would you like to come play?"

"I—would your braaken mind?"

"Not at all. Right, Triton?"

"We would be pleased and proud to have you, Rowan."

"Then yes. I'd love to. Thank you for the invitation." Rowan beamed at him.

"Lovely. We'll bring the rest of the lemon bars, no?"

"Absolutely." Rowan actually bounced.

"See you soon, hailee."

"Meet you at the hallway." He loved this.

He was going to introduce his lovers to his brother. Really introduce them, not as problematic employers, but as his braaken.

They grabbed some towels to sit on, and some waters, because someone would get thirsty, he knew it. Leilani was so sweet. She would nap on the blanket, but the alphas would end up running and wrestling and doing what alphas did.

The dragons were waiting, little Leilani fussing because they weren't moving.

"Kaiinaa!" he called. "I see you."

That fussing got all the louder, and he could see her struggle to get to him.

"I'm coming, my sweet one." He quickened his pace, Rowan laughing next to him.

He scooped her up, and she blew sparks, telling him all about how she hated that chair. How she wanted to fly.

"Soon, my love. But not today." He did zoom her through the air as if she were soaring.

She squealed and blew little sparks, and they all started laughing. Her bright eyes twinkled just like her heartstone, such a lovely color.

"Oh, she is a charmer, and obviously enamored with Elowyn." Rowan sounded so pleased.

"She is. She adores him." Cerran held out a hand to Rowan. "Hello, Rowan."

"Hello. Bright the day. We brought lemon bars and waters."

"Lemon bars?"

"Cerran has a sweet tooth," he explained.

"Hailee!" You aren't supposed to tell!

No? It isn't a shameful thing.

Not at all. We like what we like.

But it's not becoming of a warrior.

Bah.

"I also love sweets," Rowan said. "I understand. I often have cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I find them delicious."

"As do I! We should arrange to break our fast together!"

That was his brother, putting people at ease with…well, ease.

"I would love that. I like juice as well."

"I have discovered apple juice," Cerran confided. "I love it."

Triton rolled his eyes, but the soft, Silly mate, was nothing but fond.

He chuckled. Cerran was wonderful, and they all knew it.

Leilani was happy now that she was being held and cuddled, cradled next to his heart. He supposed he was spoiling her, but she was just little, and had already known so much.

She was going to be so smart, though, and so sweet. He could feel it. Therefore, spoiling her was okay.

I want to spoil you, hailee. Triton's mental voice was a caress. Did you have a good lunch?

I did. It was lovely. His cheeks heated. Rowan wants to start over with you.

I want that too. Triton ducked his head. I made an ass out of myself.

Maybe a little bit, he admitted. But all is forgiven.

All?

Yes, love. Mate. All.

Triton gave him a grave smile, then turned to bow to Rowan. "Our hailee tells me you have forgiven me, brother Rowan. I thank you for that."

"We're family. Everyone deserves a second chance. Now, though, you understand that you are not alone. You are part of a family."

"I do believe that now, yes." Triton's eyes were as bright as his daughter's, and that smile was a revelation. "I will work hard to keep it."

Leilani crowed and blew a raspberry, as if she was agreeing with all of them, like another piece of her baby puzzle fell into place.

"May I hold you, sweet?" Rowan asked, holding out his hands to Leilani.

She cooed and reached for him in turn, and Rowan took her, laughing at her little happy sounds.

"Aren't you the most beautiful little girl?" Rowan danced her about. "I am your xoffan. We will have the best times, and I will spoil you rotten."

Elowyn loved that sight, and Cerran's arm slid over his spine as they headed into the sunlight. They walked together to the children's play area, which was full of younglings of all ages, and Leilani clapped her tiny hands, smoke rising from her as she squealed.

She loved other children.

"Is she old enough to go in?" Rowan asked, and Cerran nodded.

"We'll settle right in close, keep an eye on her, and she'll be just fine."

"They will all watch out for her as well," Triton said. "We have seen how careful they are of the very little ones."

And tiny Leilani was fierce—it didn't matter that she couldn't walk yet. She made her opinions clear.

In fact, she started grunting and wiggling as soon as she saw Indigo and Violet, determined to be down on a blanket with her favorite children.

He searched for Lake, his gaze landing on him right away. "No Felicity today?"

"Dex and Jack have her in school. She's a big girl." Lake shook his head. "She doesn't want to be in here with my babies."

"Ah." He laughed. "Well, good for her. Is she proud?"

"I think so? She's incredibly smart. My babies are most easygoing." Lake's expression screamed his thanks.

"Yes. I feel as if Leilani will be…full of energy and will."

"I think so. How else did she bond with such a stone as hers?" Lake chuckled, shaking his head.

"Right." He didn't like to talk about that, mainly because he was afraid someone would try to steal it.

Lake gave him a sympathetic glance. "She's safer here than anywhere else."

"Yes. I'd never let anyone harm her." She was a light, and part of his heart.

"I know. I feel the same way about all my wee ones. I would go to battle for them."

"You're super brave, though." He was gentler, and he knew it.

"You stood up to the fiercest warrior of all time, Elowyn!"

Elowyn laughed. "I suppose I did. And he caved."

"I heard that," Triton rumbled.

"Oops." Did you? I love hearing you like this.

I do too. I'm so proud you're our hailee, Elowyn. You honor us.

I try. Nothing suited him as well as Triton and Cerran seemed to. Nothing on earth.

Cerran gave him a glinting grin over Lake's head, and his cheeks heated. Goodness. This was what it felt like to be mated. This heat and need and love and pride in his lovers.

And he was going to get to help raise their child…

Our child. Cerran's eyes were serious. Ours.

Yes. He nodded, his heart just pounding. Every time Cerran or Triton admitted his place in their lives, it made joy suffuse him. I don't deserve this, but I'm so happy you chose me.

Stop. You deserve all this and more. Triton came to him, wrapping a brawny arm around him and making Lake smile and make the awww noise.

He nuzzled in, and he saw Rowan beam at them, nod with approval, and that meant the world. His brother was beginning to believe he was in good hands.

Which he was.

Leilani started to cry, so he went to pick her up, checking her over to see what was what.

"What's wrong, kaiinaa? I have you. Sweet dragon." He rocked her, making sure she wasn't hurt in any way. She wasn't wet, hurt, or having an allergic reaction, so she must be hungry. Or maybe just feeling neglected. Everyone else had been playing and she'd just been rocking and trying to get their attention.

"It's so hard, isn't it? To be the one that can't walk? Soon you will be running circles around all of them, you have my word."

She reached for his nose, and he let her grab it. He'd found that kept the sparks at bay. She stared into him, and he felt her thoughts about playing and friends and sad and frustrated.

"Come, my little beast," Triton said. "Let's fly you about." He grabbed Leilani and hoisted her over his head, roaring as he ran about the play yard.

The sorrow disappeared with a pop, replaced with a sheer, wild joy.

He laughed, clapping along, and Cerran blew steam that looked like a cloud for them to run through. Soon, everyone else was clamoring at the alphas to play the same game with Leilani and her soffaren.

Leilani's pride was a tangible thing, a bright light, and Elowyn couldn't stop smiling, applauding at them all.

The other children squealed as they joined the soaring game, and Cerran helped with some of the young ones, making up for the lack of bigger dragons in the play circle.

Suddenly, the entire play place was filled with joy and laughter, happy roars and giggles.

Rowan clapped his hands. "Oh, brother, how fun! This is how I always thought it should be to have babies."

"They're all so happy." Elowyn couldn't stop smiling. He couldn't believe this. It was…perfect.

"They are. I am so glad for you."

He knew what Rowan meant. He saw how his brother looked at Triton and Cerran now. That pleased him so.

Elowyn wanted nothing more than for all of his family to care about one another.

Well, that and to spend hours wrapped up in their arms. He wanted that, quite a lot.