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Vaayu lifted his fingers, and Kay grabbed his hand. “Let her have those clothes for tonight. Court stuff is very pretty but very drafty.”

Regis laughed and leaned on Avor, feeling him behind her without looking.

The party was continuing, and more people were arriving. The party continued until sunset the following night when the emperor and his guards and the ladies who were leaving left in the same wave of light that had graced the area the previous day.

Chapter Eight

Regis smiled at Irain her father’s arms. Avor had this expression of wonder on his features every time he looked at her. After the rolling party, Ira hadn’t gotten enough sleep, but she was smiling happily.

Elaheh, Kay, and Vega had gone with Vaayu and his guards. The younger dragons were sober as their urge for a female of their kind was understood.

The ladies from the Stronghold who were still there were safely at one end of the palace.

Rex was going to be on monitoring duty with her mates. Rex’s cheeks were still pink every time they looked at her, so she wasn’t going to get much sleep. Kael and Ignis would take turns listening for the little princess. They were her uncles now, after all.

Avor smiled. “You didn’t ask me what I do?”

“Oh. It didn’t seem important at the time. You are here with us. That was all I was after.”

“I own land and let developers bid on it. The nearby neighbourhood is one. There are two more in the works.”

“How did you manage to get started?”

“Other elves were still loose, and the dragons knew who I was. They helped me start, but their alphas didn’t know what had happened.”

“Oh, you were sneaky.” She smiled.

“I was.”

They entered the new palace, and she directed him toward Ira’s room. They were met in the wide hallway by Rex and her mates, who smiled. Avor inclined his head. “I’ve got her.”

When Regis directed him to Ira’s room, he carried her in and set her gently on her bed.

Regis kissed her daughter’s forehead and used a little energy to change her into pyjamas. Avor tucked her in and kissed Ira’s head. “Night, my princess.”

Regis sighed and took the arm that Avor offered her. Outside her daughter’s room, Rex said, “I’ve got this. Have a good night. Take another day. If she is up, she goes to school tomorrow.”