Keera got a cup of hot cider and watched the ladies chatter and smile.Her life had changed, and it had taken less than a week to go from existence to hope.
Cloud walked over and leaned on Keera.“So.Has it sunk in yet?”
“Well, Khytten repaired me, and now everything works, so either I marry him and lock him in a room for the next few days, or I drag him off and do it anyway.”
Cloud laughed.“Yeah, it’s a bit of a bitch to be at the mercy of hormones.A charming inheritance from our father.”
“Yup.I hope he’s thinking about what he did and is taking a nice deep breath as we speak.”
They giggled.
Yahtana was talking with Dex, and Khassi and Hever were talking about the dress design process and how they would work around Hever’s wings.
Cloud said, “Mom would be happy.”
“Yes, she would be.Despite our origins, she loved us.”
“Yeah, and she would absolutely be in favour of the method you used to mete out justice.”
Cloud chuckled.“Yeah, she would.”
They quietly touched and held hands, united in a flicker of grief while happiness loomed.“Who thought we would have friends?”Keera muttered.
Cloud laughed and said, “I know, right?”
They stood together and giggled, smiling at Yahtana from across the room.She smiled in return.
Keera smiled when she heard the ladies commenting that they had never had sleepovers before.It was a new experience for everyone.Even Hever had not had the experience with her cousins.
A rack of nightwear was delivered in a variety of sizes, and it had a card attached to it.
Veradil took it, smiled, and opened it.“Since this is a girl-only night, I wish you a good night and comfort.Please enjoy the evening.”
Hever walked over and saw the card.“It’s from Nautilus!”
Veradil blushed scarlet, and Hever hugged her.
Hever smiled.“The relationship is still a little new, but I am pretty sure that the moment Krix and I are out of the way, he’s going to make his move.Well, not that move.A more permanent connection than teleporting into the dining room when I leave.Krix and I are going to take up residence in the guesthouse, and that is where he is now, or he will be once the boys finish their evening.”
Keera chuckled.“They are going out together?”
Hever nodded.“Krix thinks that tonight is for Worro, but I am pretty sure that Worro knows what’s what.Tonight, my pretty hero is going to be lectured by a wave of alphas.”
Keera laughed and said, “He’s going to be a changed man.”
“Well, Sgoth already got him started, so things have been looking up.”Hever smiled.“Do you have any words of wisdom for me?”
Keera looked around.“Oh, damn.”She was the only one who was in a relationship of sorts.Cloud...didn’t count.
“Um, if you need to talk, make sure you have his attention.Getting naked and then covering up will accomplish it.If he needs to talk, pay attention.Sitting and pulling his head in your lap will do it, but make sure he is facing out.That way, he will be calm and yet hopeful.”
Hever paused.“That might work, and nice tip on the direction.”
“Yeah, you only make that mistake once.”Keera snorted.The ladies laughed.Veradil seemed to be taking mental notes.
Hever said softly.“What if something bad happens at work?”
“Make him shower and then hold him.It will remove the scent of blood and death, and when that is over, all that is left is you.With Worro, I just had to sit on his lap and lean on him when he was angry.He calmed right down.”