Page 104 of Crimson Skies

Phebei blinked. “They don’t?”

“No.”

Phebei’s eyes widened. She gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth. “Does that mean Mama—Mama is asavage?!”

Morgan snorted. Bostrof looked heavenward and muttered a prayer to an unnamed deity.

The kids spent the afternoon playing in the pool before lying down for a nap. Morgan’s heart warmed as he watched the way Noah clutched Phebei’s thumb while he slept.

He wondered if anyone could love the little boy as much as he did.I’m sure Cassius’s affections will outshine even mine.

His chest tightened. He missed Cassius every hour of every day and all through the long and lonely nights he had endured since their separation.

Late afternoon brought more visitors in the shape of his team and Eden and Cedric. The Magus and the Dryad prince were now officially engaged and awaiting Eden’s graduation from college before they wed.

Julia announced she was dating an investment banker. Bailey and Adrianne invited Morgan and Loki to their housewarming party: the pair had moved into a picture-perfect home complete with a white-picket fence.

Their property was dwarfed by the mansion Reuben, Jasper, and Charlie had purchased in an exclusive postcode of the city. According to Charlie, Jasper was as keen a gardener as he was a baker.

Zach told them he’d moved in with Suzie.

Eden regaled them with Woody’s misadventures at a sorority party over dinner. Cedric brought breaking news of Leiv’s engagement to a noble Nymph. Asteria was apparently displaying all the signs of jealousy she used to show anyone who came near Cassius and now almost never left Leiv’s side, much to the Dryad crown prince’s amusement and his new fiancée’s exasperation.

As for Kalliste and Galatea, their wedding was to be held at the end of the year. It was rumored to be approaching the extravagance of Cassius and Morgan’s memorable nuptials.

Bostrof reported that Izaran’s relationship with Daphne was still going strong. This despite the new king of the Shadow Empire having his hands full rebuilding the kingdom his predecessor had brought to ruin.

Loki told them what Benjamin had revealed to him the day before, during one of his frequent visits; the imp and the Reaper were still good friends. Mortis had finally said yes to the Reaper God. Since it was impossible for anyone except Gods to travel to their realm, they had held a small ceremony to celebrate their union.

Myrdin had officiated his son’s nuptials. According to Benjamin, the forest deity had been a blubbering mess throughout the entire thing, much to the Reaper God and Tenebra’s irritation.

It was late by the time everyone left. Morgan and Loki tidied up before bidding each other goodnight. Morgan checked on Noah one more time before he went to bed.

The little boy was fast asleep in his crib, his breathing soft and slow as he hugged a toy dragon that looked like Ladon. The night light made his long eyelashes gleam where they rested on his plump cheeks.

Love overwhelmed Morgan. He swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat, kissed his son’s forehead, and left the door ajar as he exited the room.

Sleep proved elusive once more. He’d forgotten what an insomniac he’d been before he met Cassius. He finally drifted off, only to be awakened by a noise a few hours before dawn.

Morgan blinked heavy eyelids and peered into the half gloom.

His breath caught. He bolted upright, the sheets pooling around his waist.

“Noah?”

Noah swayed on chubby legs where he clung to the glass wall overlooking the terrace.

“Pa…pa,” the little boy breathed.

Morgan’s heartbeat filled his entire world. He felt a tug inside him.

His soul bond was heating up.

He climbed out of bed on unsteady legs and walked over to Noah. The little boy looked at him in wide-eyed wonder as he picked him up.

The infant gestured at the night sky. “Papa!”

Morgan swallowed. “You feel it too, Noah?”

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