Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

Elowyn sat there, stuck to his seat.

He couldn't believe this.

In fact, the layers of things he couldn't believe about this were sort of vast.

He couldn't believe he was sitting there at this table, holding hands with the two alphas that he was going to leave.

He couldn't believe that somehow, they seemed to be forming a bond simply from the three of them touching at the same time. He'd never heard of anything like this, and he absolutely had never intended to experience it. More disturbingly, he had absolutely no idea what to do about it. He was going to have to contact the seer.

But perhaps the biggest thing that he could not comprehend, the thing that was absolutely inconceivable to him, was that any dragon could wish an infant killed over a stone. Over something as pointless as money.

Surely, they were better than that. Surely, there was no way that that sort of hate, greed could happen. The thought cracked something deep inside him.

"It's true," Cerran said, shaking his head, the pale braids swinging. "I was imprisoned with twenty others—warriors and this little one. They knew."

Elowyn swallowed hard. "You mean they knew that the infant was there in the prison?"

This time, it was Triton that shook his head, the movement sharp, angry. "No. I told them I'd killed her. I lied."

"What about the stone? How did you return it to her?"

"I stole it, then I blew up the keep."

Lightning began to dance over Triton's skin again, and this time, he refused to be frightened. He simply accepted it.

He couldn't imagine the kind of pain that Triton had to have felt. The warrior either had to betray his homeland and his kin, or his mate and his child.

"What about your partner—the child's omega? What happened to them?"

"She died." Triton's sorrow felt thick like treacle through where their hands joined. He felt it make his arms heavy, so he pushed some energy into his hands, wanting to make Triton feel better.

Those changeable eyes widened, flashing with metallic light. "Elowyn."

Cerran squeezed his hand over theirs. "Yes. It was terrible. But we are here and safe, and so is Leilani."

Triton nodded, still staring at Elowyn. Staring into him, he thought. His skin itched with the stir of Triton's lightning. And it looked as if the air was filling with…steam?

He breathed it in, and it calmed him, the feeling of being protected washing over him. Yes, steam. From Cerran. Warm and good on his scales. How could he go from being ready to leave to wanting to give comfort and healing so quickly?

Oh, it was his gift, but this was far more personal. This was a need, deep seated within him.

They sat there, falling into silence for long moments. Then Triton's big chest lifted on a deep inhale.

"You are welcome here, Elowyn. Hailee. Please stay with us." It was a formal request, but the use of the word that alphas used for omega mates, meaning sweet one… That threw him. Not into a panic, but it did make his chest tight.

"I will. For now, at least." He needed to speak to Cain. Today. His birth seer could not have been so wrong. Surely not.

Cerran's smile could have powered the lights in the room. Maybe in the whole of the household. "Good. Good. I will get your door fixed."

"Oh, but…"

"Elowyn, you need no wall to protect you from us." Triton had used his name. Twice. Amazing. "I vow it. I will not harm you."

Electricity crackled around them, making his scales rise. "And I vow I will protect your child with my life."

"You will have my arm in battle and my kindness at home," Cerran added, smiling at them both in turn, a trail of steam leaving his lips.

Elowyn wasn't sure he believed what was happening, but he couldn't deny the power of their promises. They were set now in the magic winding around them.

His lips parted, and he leaned toward…them. Triton and Cerran. The table was just in the way now. Dammit.

Triton's chuckle was soft as feathers. "I suppose if I shove the table out of the way, it would be aggressive."

Elowyn licked his lips. "I fear so, yes."

Then, like the sun breaking through the clouds, they all began to laugh, their happiness spreading through their quarters.

He'd never heard Triton laugh. The sound was deep, rough and rusty, as if it came from a place Triton rarely touched inside. But it was there, and happy, and somehow sweet.

Elowyn wasn't sure what he was supposed to do—offer to make breakfast? Call Cain? Mop?

A baby's cry sent them all to their feet, and Elowyn understood that. "Someone is awake and ready to eat. Would you like me to go get her?"

"Please." Triton put a hand on his shoulder. "It will do her good to see you are still here."

Cerran nodded. "She missed you."

"I missed her." He hurried off to pick up his furious charge. She was blowing sparks when he got there, and he cradled her, rocking her gently.

"Be at peace, kaiinaa. All is well." Weird, but well.

Odd, but well.

Unnerving, but well.

She stared up at him, waving her little arm and burbling madly. Yes, she had been worried. And she was telling him all about it.

"She has a way with words, no?" That was Cerran, his tone full of gentle humor as he stood in the doorway to Leilani's nursery.

"She does. I am here, hmm? Your soffaren apologized to me, and all is well." He rocked her gently. "Shall we clean you up from sleep and then feed you?"

She immediately started a sucking motion with her mouth.

"I know. It is work being a little dragon. So much growing to do." He moved quickly to change her diaper, to dress her. That suction would become yelling in short order.

Triton had actually made up her bottle by the time he got back to the kitchen, and he took it gratefully, because she was starting to wind up to a scream. Demanding girl. She was amazing.

She latched on, her eyes staring holes in him, letting him know that something was odd and she blamed him.

He hummed to her, walking her around the kitchen as she ate. He understood. No one liked to establish a routine and then have it broken, especially wee ones. And now he knew exactly how much of her young life had been about fear and upheaval. Poor sweet thing.

Triton sat, watching, and soon Cerran joined him at the kitchen table after pulling out a pitcher of milk and some glasses. And cookies.

Cerran loved cookies at all times of the day, he'd learned.

Once the bottle was finished, Elowyn put her over his shoulder. "Come now, burp for me. All is well. All is good."

She fussed a little, mouthing at his shoulder. Then she popped out a burp that surpassed pretty much every one he'd heard from her before sighing and settling in.

"There. There she is. Would you like to hold her?"

"I will. Come join us for a cookie." Cerran held out his hands.

"Oh, I have not had breakfast yet."

"I can cook," Triton said gruffly. "Eggs and toast, at any rate. Sit. Please."

"No. No, it's my job to care for you."

Cerran, though, drew him down, kept him close. "Let him. He feels the need to make things up to you."

His cheeks heated. "That isn't necessary."

"It is only eggs and toast." Triton ate the last of his cookie, then rose to pull things out of the refrigerator.

Watching him cook as if he were storming a beach fascinated Elowyn to no end. So did the feel of Cerran's leg pressing against his.

"This is the first meal he cooked for me," Cerran said. "I was honored."

Elowyn smiled. "I can see why." He and Rowan hadn't grown up in the formal, strict keeps like Triton and Cerran came from, but he knew enough about graake to know that warriors did not engage in such work.

It was done for them.

He was happy to cook, and the warriors were not messy, for the most part. The best part was watching little Leilani grow.

Triton stirred the eggs, then glanced over his shoulder. "How done do you like your scrambled eggs? And do you like cheese?"

"Well done, please, and yes, that would be lovely." His cheeks were on fire.

"Good, good." Triton went back to stirring and grating cheese, and he looked so pleased when he served up food to Elowyn and Cerran.

It looked delicious—well-cooked and tasty. He dug in, surprised at how well-seasoned the eggs tasted.

"Thank you very much for the eggs." It was very kind, Elowyn felt. Actually, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing.

That wasn't exactly true. He knew what he was supposed to be doing. He did know what they wanted him to do.

As soon as everyone finished eating, then he absolutely felt as if he had a plan. He stood up and started doing dishes, focusing on the act of suds and water and scrubbing. This he understood. He already had a meal plan for the week. He had a cleaning schedule. An outing schedule so the baby got sunshine. He already knew what he was supposed to be accomplishing.

His place was to make this home good for these two men who had lost so much.

It embarrassed him a little bit how little he had actually done in his life. Seriously, when it came right down to it, he had done very little. He healed people, but not many, and not terribly well, and not often. He wasn't like Rowan.

Rowan had left because he was an amazing healer, a celebrated midwife, and he had been called to assist with omegas in crisis.

He'd come here to clean and cook.

Cerran's warm hand landed on the small of his back, making him pause. When he glanced around, Triton held Leilani now, and Cerran stood just behind him.

"Do not doubt yourself, hailee. Not at all. What you do is amazing. You bring comfort."

He frowned over. How had they known? "I—I am well, alpha. Thank you. That is why I am here."

"We're glad you are. Do not doubt that, either."

"He's right." Triton's tone was more of a growl. "You are wonderful."

He huffed out a soft, mocking sound. "I am suitable and discreet."

"You are far more than that." When he turned the water off, Cerran shocked him to utter stillness by pulling him into a hug, those huge arms dwarfing him.

Suddenly Elowyn simply couldn't breathe. He just couldn't. He didn't know what to do, so he held on, hugging Cerran back.

"That's better," Cerran murmured. "That's it."

He was a little afraid that Triton would get mad, but the bass rumble he heard was soothing, almost sweet.

"He doesn't mind, hailee. All is well. You've been so kind for so long." Cerran's lips brushed his ear.

He shivered. "I—Is this right?" He wasn't sure. Cerran and Triton were mates, and he was destined not to have one…

The seer had said.

"This is destined." Cerran's smile felt warm on his temple. "Triton and I understand now."

"Do you?" Because he did not.

"Yes. I promise, all will be well."

"Okay." He wanted to believe that.

"Will you come sit with us and Leilani? I think we could all just use some quiet time."

"Of course." He could be quiet. He hadn't slept much, and he'd had too much wine—he was exhausted.

"Come." Cerran turned him toward the large family room, and Triton rose, carrying the baby into the room as well. They all sank down on the sectional couch, and he felt so odd, sandwiched between the two alphas.

Leilani kicked him, and he grabbed her little foot, tickling it gently.

Her laughter blossomed, just ringing out.

That he knew. That made him smile, and he played with her, loving how her sweet laugh burbled up.

"Listen to that, Triton."

"She likes him."

She reached for Elowyn, a spark shooting from her little hands.

"She does. She knows, hmm?" Cerran's laughter was just as fine as Leilani's.

"Are you a little fiery dragon? Are you going to be so fierce?" He took her hands and let her tug, sending her—them all—a rush of happiness and love.

She squealed, and more sparks flew, but a rush of steam from Cerran extinguished them.

Elowyn's laugh bubbled out, uncontrollable. "Oh! Isn't that clever?"

Triton nodded and offered him a rare smile. "He is a steam dragon, and he can make it all temperatures. It is a most alarming weapon."

"Yes, and also a comfort, yes? Cold steam when a little one is congested. Warm steam when it is cold and dry. Steam to prevent a fire-breather from destroying the house…" Elowyn stopped when he realized that all of those words—that argument—had come out of his mouth instead of living, where they belonged, in his head. "Oh, forgive me. I apologize."

"Forgive you?" Cerran asked, eyes wide. "Whatever for? Speaking your mind? This is not a dictatorship. You should say your piece. Share yourself."

"I—I would not give offense. I simply see your talents as gifts." He thought Cerran's steam and Triton's lightning were both pure magic.

"Do you?" Triton asked, and he nodded.

"You have lightning that travels over your skin. You can defend so well, but that same energy can tickle and tease." His cheeks heated, but it felt important that Triton knew that he respected that control as well.

Triton dipped his head, the silver braid heavy where it touched him. "You honor me."

"It's all I wish. I simply want to be a part of this. Just to be part… I mean, to see you." Elowyn's cheeks were on fire, but he needed to explain himself. He needed this to be something that Triton understood. "I know I cannot be part of your family, but I would be here until… Leilani doesn't need me anymore." He didn't know how to explain the pain that caused. "That is many, many years of being alone, and then? Being told to leave because you are no longer worth anything?"

It was more than he could stand.

"How could you not be worth anything?" Triton looked so confused.

He shrugged. That was how this worked. His job was to take care of those who couldn't take care of themselves, and then once they could? His job was done. His worth to that family was over. "It is how it is. I understand my place in life. I will never mate with an alpha. The seer says so."

"Which seer?" Cerran asked.

"The seer at my keep. She was quite revered." His eyes filled with tears. "She left us only recently, and she told me I would never mate with a single alpha."

Cerran and Triton shared a long look, then Triton spoke, "I will speak to our seer. I will find out his opinion, and I will return to you. You deserve a family of your own."

Cerran nodded. "You do, and he will, I have no doubt."

It was a kindness, and he appreciated it. He didn't believe it, but for now, he would accept it. What else could he do? He didn't want to have to give up Leilani. Or the alphas. He didn't want to have to walk away.

He wanted to have something good.

Perhaps he was foolish to trust, but there was something in the energy that they shared that swore to him that this was the right thing to do.