Page 49

He laughed again.

Regis looked at his delighted expression. She realized that she had never seen that look before. There had been wonder when Tawney was pregnant. Contained joy as it advanced and hope as she got close to term. Fury and protective rage the night of the attack. She had seen lust and indulgence but never this impish delight. His soul was happy, and she could see it.

He saw her staring at him and caressed her cheek. “What is that intent look for?”

“I think I saw you for the first time just now.”

He smiled. “I look forward to seeing all the facets of you as well. You have had all this weight on your shoulders for quite some time. I am ready to take on what you will surrender.”

“Great. You are responsible for getting us up and washed and dressed. None of that dragon fire. I want to feel clean.”

He snorted. “Fire is faster.”

“Yes, but there is nothing like rubbing soap all over you and getting your body nice and slippery, and then you returning the favour.”

His eyes glowed, and he picked her up and hauled her to the standing shower. The bathroom had been designed with him in mind, and she had put in a huge soaking tub suitable for both of them as well. For now, the slippery shower awaited.

Clean, dressed, and wrapped in Avor’s smugness, they headed down to the kitchens to scavenge for a meal.

Regis froze when she saw six of the dark elves moving around, cooking, baking, and sautéing.

Avor chuckled. “They were energized after the party and asked if they could visit today. Well, aside from Kael and Ignis.”

“Yeah, they live here.”

Her brothers-in-law grinned and kept working. Ignis said, “Rex is picking Ira up from school.”

Avor murmured, “We may have missed morning and noon by a bit.”

Regis snorted, and the elves grinned. She was sat at the long table while Avor got her some coffee and a pastry from her own bakery. It was fresh, so Amber had opened on time, and someone had stopped by to pick things up.

She ate the Danish and sipped her coffee while Avor got four pastries and his coffee.

Regis was on her last bite when she felt them in the drive. She finished her coffee and set her mug down. It was whisked away to be washed before she was more than two steps away. Avor followed her and took the hand she was reaching toward him.

They walked out to the entryway, where the car approached them. Rex pulled up, and Ira bolted out the moment that the car halted. “Mom! Dad! You won’t believe who I met at school today!”

Ira launched herself at them, and a stunned Avor held his daughter after a day at school. Regis looked at his expression and memorized that one as well. It was going to be several lifetimes with him, so she needed to collect all the nuances of his emotions. She wanted to see them all.

Fortunately, she had all the time in the world.