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Cullen snorted. “Okay, but someone will have to help me up off the floor. I am well past the fulcrum point now.”

“I can lift you, baby,” Orion said. “Let’s play.”

Ed chittered, Roderick answered, and Elliot giggled.

And suddenly he felt like it might all just be okay.

ChapterTwenty

Orion boogied around the kitchen, scrubbing counters, getting ready to make his first batch of bread from sourdough starter. The Uinta branch of the Rocky Mountain clutch had given him some. Apparently, it was like, fifty years old.

He couldn’t wait.

Tisi lay in a little rocking chair thing on the floor, and Roderick was curled up at his feet. Cullen was napping on the couch just a stone’s throw away, his belly really starting to stick up.

So cute.

“Shake it, Tisi,” he said, grooving along with Daddy Yankee. “Shake it!”

Tisi raised a little fist into the air and squealed.

He was coming out of his tiny shell every day, but they kind of had to keep him partially swaddled or he started to have lift off. Those little wings were strong.

He grinned, rocking his hips as if he was surfing, arms out, singing and fake-rapping to his heart’s content. He moved to the fridge to pull out some milk to warm up, and when he turned around, he let out a shriek, almost dropping the milk.

Cullen popped up on the couch, blinking, hand on his belly. “What is it, love?”

“There’s a woman in the kitchen. She wasn’t here moments ago.”

Cullen stood, peering into the kitchen at him, then the woman. “Ah, Arian. How are you?”

“I am well.” She gave a faint, enigmatic smile. “How is my nephew?”

He looked at Cullen, raising his eyebrows.

“We believe he is recovering, Lady. Would you like to go see him? He’s at Corbin’s.”

“Yes. But first, may I meet this little one?”

Is she safe?Orion asked his mate.

As houses. She’s one of Mother’s best friends.

Okay.

“I’m Orion. Pleased to meet you.” He held out his hand, and she took it gently.

“Unicorn.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Ah. And this little one is a pegasus.”

“Yes,” Cullen said. “His name is Tisi.”

“Well come, Tisi.” She moved her hand to his forehead, touching his tiny face, and it looked like a blessing of some kind as her hand glowed gold.

His dark limpid eyes watched her, and he giggled.