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“Please. And what can I do?”

“Can you make garlic butter? We’ll put it on the bread and bake it in.” Orion’s grin was friendly, but not interested like it was for him.

Cullen was glad.

It was ridiculous and he knew it, but he didn’t want Orion to be interested in Corbin. He wanted all that interest for himself.

He had never experienced anyone who made his eyes cross, softly jumping when warm hands landed on his shoulders and started rubbing.

Orion purred. Unicorns purred? Seriously? “Yeah, that’s better. Poor baby. So tense. Are you always so stressed?”

“No, I’m never tense. I’m known for being low stress.” His eyes went wide with a mix of aggravation and desire. “It’s you. You make me tense.”

“Sexual tension is okay, but you can relax. I mean you no harm. You have my word. I will defend you to the end of time.” Orion kissed his temple from behind, lips just barely brushing his skin, lighting him up nonetheless. “You’re all right.”

“I’m supposed to be protecting you, remember?” He was supposed to be the one with the sharp teeth and claws that defended his mate—whoa.

WHOA.

He stepped away, his eyes going wide. He slammed into Corbin with a thud, and the wine bottle went flying.

Orion’s hand shot out and caught it, the act so fast it had to be pure magic. “Cullen?”

Cullen spun around to look at Orion, and he could see it now, the magic swirling around the man like a drug that he was desperate to taste, to explore and learn. “I can’t mate with a unicorn, can I?”

Corbin stared. “What?”

“Why not?” Orion didn’t sound too worried.

What? You can’t mate with someone I haven’t met! Hawk! We’re going to Cullen’s. Now!

A knock came to his back door, and if his mother showed up right now, he was going to scream.

Literally.

Just start screaming and never stop.

“Cullen, dear, you’re dropping…emojis.”

He blinked, and Orion was right. Dozens and dozens of yellow faces were pouring from his fingers and bouncing all over the floor.

“The best news is that they disappear. Less sweeping involved.” Corbin had apparently decided Orion was okay, because they were conversing without him. “Our brother and his family are, apparently, on the way. We need two more place settings and the highchair. Elliot likes noodles.”

“I’ll drop more.”

“Corbin, will you please see who was at the back door?”

“Of course. It would be my pleasure.” Corbin rolled his eyes and looked out. “Care package. Honey, daisies, cakes, a bottle of elderberry wine, and it looks like a set of blocks for Elliot.”

“Oh, good.” That meant the pixies had delivered it, and Mother was busy.

Perfect.

He didn’t think he was quite ready to explain Orion to her. She was…

Well, she was his mother.

But she was imperious. So damn fae high court. And she could pick a fight with a tree.