Page 76 of His Impossible Elf Mate
“Can I do some of your braids?” I asked as I caught him deftly braiding as our pancakes cooked.
“If you would like to, then I would love that. It is intimate to let a partner braid your hair.”
“So Michaella braiding Ívarr’s hair was a big deal.”
“Very. It is something only for family members or very close loved ones. Mother has two close companions who help her with her hair when she is required to have something elaborate. She can wear many braids as the head of our army.”
“She’s had many battles.”
“So many, I believe we have lost count. She was quite the warrior before she ascended to queen. Mother served under her father, the king, at that time and this was a test. She was to learn when diplomacy was the better option by seeing the scars war inflicts on our people.”
I took the pan off the heat so I could focus on T’s hair. The comb he offered had wide teeth to make sectioning easier. Taking care to be gentle, I ran the comb through his hair, separated the piece I wanted,and took my time to make a neat and even braid all the way to his waist.
His fingers traced it. “Perfect. Would you like to do another?”
“Could I?”
“Of course, but let me get some fruit to cut while you do that.”
We spent breakfast together peacefully, just enjoying the quiet time together before we told everyone. I finished up Teárlach’s hair, then he made sure I ate a balanced breakfast.
“Chase will be here soon,” T said as he located his phone. I smiled at his back. He still was useless with it. Worse, now that he had the pack link to pass messages along for him.
“Did you call him?”
“No, he left a message saying he felt something was off. He was just giving us time to get busy—“
“Never say that again. Ever.”
T laughed. “It felt strange in my mouth.”
“Trust me, it was stranger in my ears.” I laughed, feeling so nervous and excited for what the day held. “I’m just going to tell Dalton I won’t be in for a bit and ask for an appointment at the clinic, okay?”
“Yes. Chase won’t be long.”
When I returned to the kitchen, Chase was finishing off what remained of my breakfast while T made him some fresh pancakes.
Chase leaped up from the seat to wrap me in a hug. “I’m so happy for you both. Cannot wait to meet this nibling!”
“Let us sit in the living room so we can ask my mother to meet us. Do you have an appointment?”
“Yeah, we have a couple of hours before it.”
There was a knock on the door before we even got a chance to sit down.
“I’ll get it,” Chase said. “You two start the call.” The door opened. “Oh, uh, nevermind. Teárlach, your mother is here.”
“What?” I went to join Chase by the door and saw the carriage outside. Blake and Kade were inside with the queen and their kids. “What the hell?”
Teárlach went out to help his mother exit the carriage. “Apologies for interrupting your announcement, but I was told I had to be in Sweetwater today.”
“Announcement?” Kade asked, eyes going wide as he caught my eye. “You are! Oh my goddess! Thank The Luna!” he cried as he ran to hug me, my brother and thekids just behind him.
“Uncle Axel is going to have a baby!” Blake told the little ones proudly. “Say congratulations.”
The niblings all parroted their father, looking so cute and earnest, I nearly cried.
“Congratulations my son and Axel. You will make fine parents and it gives me hope there will be more young in Abrocaelum soon.” Though the queen looked happy, there was also pain in her eyes. “I was sent a message to come here today. Your Seer’s time has come. We are to be there so she can see Axel before she goes.”
