I swear my heart fell out of my chest as my eyes filled with tears. Blaze and Drae must’ve heard, because they stopped their game and strode over to my chair, their hands resting on my shoulders.
“What about daughters?” Tari tilted her head, her eyes scrunched in confusion. “The Avias women always give birth to twin daughters first.”
Teddy shook his head. “No daughters. Only sons.”
Tari clucked her tongue. “That can’t be right.”
Aurora scowled at her mother. “Teddy’s visions are never wrong.”
“Perhaps the Elements decided Shiri didn’t need daughters,” Drae said, “since she already has twin girls that she loves as her own.”
Aurora and I shared a smile before she blew me a kiss. I captured the air kiss in my hand, holding it against my heart.
“I think you’re right.” Nikkos’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “When will Isabeau come into her powers?”
Teddy nodded toward the babe, who sucked her entire fist while snuggling against my chest. “Her magic is strong even now.”
“B-but she’s not old enough,” Blaze blurted.
“Look.” Teddy pulled a small flower from the vase, its pink buds still closed while its head drooped. He held the flower up to Isabeau. I expected her to rip it to shreds like every other curious babe. Instead, she held it in a chubby fist, cooing while the flower expanded and bloomed.
The color drained from Tari’s face. “Oh, no.”
“You should be fine,” Finn said, a slight tremor in his voice. “I made you herbs to prevent pregnancy.”
“Let’s hope they are stronger than Isabeau’s magic.” Tari slouched in her seat. My poor sister already had six children.
“We should probably put a stone on her,” Tari said as she stroked her daughter’s soft tufts of dark hair, “so our parents can visit.”
“Not yet,” Drae rumbled. “Let Shiri hold her a little while longer.”
I held my niece close while kissing the top of her head. My breath hitched when she placed a hand on my stomach, mumbling incoherent baby jabber. I wouldn’t have thought much of it, except for the tingling, warm sensation in my stomach. I gaped at Drae. “I can feel her magic pouring into me.”
We should tell your parents now.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard Teddy’s thought project into my mind.
Aurora squeezed Teddy’s arm, giving him a sharp look.No, not now.
We can’t keep putting it off. They’ll find out soon enough.
She nibbled on a tart, her eyes frozen.After the celebrations.
I pretended like I hadn’t heard their private conversation, though it was hard, very hard, not to say anything. Tari and her mates had prided themselves on keeping a close eye on their daughters, but it was clear Aurora and Teddy had mated. Fated mates could only speak through thought after they’d had sex and taken each other’s blood. I could easily imagine my niece teleporting to her mate each night. And since they’d mated, and Aurora was exposed to her baby sister on a daily basis, it was safe to assume that Aurora was pregnant.
I wanted to be angry with them, but Aurora’s own mother had snuck away to mate with Ash and Finn at just seventeen. Aurora was nineteen and would probably be twenty by the time she gave birth. Maybe I’d fall pregnant, too, and our children could play together. I smiled to myself, realizing that summer wedding would need to be rescheduled for this spring, so long as Ash and Finn didn’t shred Teddy to pieces before then.
After the celebration, Teddy argued,and not a moment longer.
Okay, but make sure my aunt and uncles are there, so they stop my fathers from killing you.
I loudly cleared my throat, and Aurora caught my eye, her cheeks flushing as realization dawned in her eyes. She’d obviously forgotten that I could hear the thoughts of fated mates.
I gave her a wink and pressed a finger to my lips.
She mouthed herthanks, then turned her head. Was that a tear I saw in her eye? She whispered to Teddy, and they quickly pushed away from the table.
“Excuse us,” Teddy said, bowing while holding an arm out to Aurora. “We would like to take a turn in the garden.”