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“And well met, Orion. Now, Cullen, I should like to see Evander.”

“Of course.” Cullen winked at him. “Orion is making bread.”

“Mmm. I love bread.” She followed Cullen out, and he shook his head.

Damn. That lady reminded him of his Father, Rigel. Stately, deadly, no doubt, and ancient.

He turned the music on again, as somehow Arian had turned it off, and went back to dancing and cooking, but he also made tea and grabbed cookies out of the cookie jar, because he had no doubt the Lady would be back. Should he make little finger sandwiches?

She loves cheese.That was Cullen, and he could feel his mate’s laughter.

Little cheese sammies.Got it. In fact, he had pimiento cheese he’d made yesterday. Homemade was so much better.

So he got the bread mixed up and to its first rise, then made sandwiches and steeped tea, and by the time he was done, Cullen and Arian were back.

The Lady came right to Orion and hugged him. “You saved him.”

“Well, Corbin and I?—”

“No, I mean when he bit you. You healed him. Thank you.”

“I—Hey. I just have good blood.”

“But you gave it freely rather than killing him, which you easily could. So I am grateful.” She studied his little tray. “What is this?”

“White chocolate macadamia cookies and pimiento cheese sandwiches.”

“Ah, I adore strange cheese dishes.”

“Cullen said.” Sometimes his life seemed so surreal. This fae princess was about to have tea with him and his mate and eat orange cheese goo.

Roderick scampered over to the Lady and put his front paws on her leg, chittering.

“Hello, friend,” Arian said. “Is this a good house?”

Roderick answered, really chatting away in…marten.

“I thought so too.”

Can you understand him when he talks?

Cullen arched an eyebrow at him.I knew his name, didn’t I?

Oh. Cullen had a real point there.Right. Sorry.

Tisi watched Arian, his ebony eyes sharp and focused.

“Can I hold him?” she asked, and Cullen nodded.

“He would love that. Seriously. Tisi loves a cuddle.”

As if Tisi understood, those chubby arms and legs moved as if he was swimming, the baby obviously trying to get to Arian.

“He’s absolutely beautiful, aren’t you?” She held her arms open and Tisi flew right to her. “Oh, such a brilliant boy!”

Her tinkling laughter filled the air, and it felt like home, oddly, and he relaxed.

Tisi snuggled in, the baby’s wings fluttering like a hummingbird’s.