Page 40 of Drakken Star
Raisa sprang from Kayluth’s arms to Sundrake’s. “Papa-sun, you too.”
“What’s that?” Sundrake swung her around and then planted her on his hip.
“Promisse not to leave uss again. Pleasse.” Raisa’s bottom lip jutted out in a pitiful pout.
Sundrake rubbed his nose against hers in the way of the Drakken. “I can’t promise that I won’t leave you because if Uncle Bjorn needs me, I might have to go, but I can promise to always come back. I’d miss you and Reykos otherwise.”
“And Papa-moon and Father?”
Sundrake nodded solemnly. “And Papa-moon and Father.”
Kayluth exited the transport and stood beside Sundrake. He tugged on Raisa’s braids. “You undersstand, ssu?”
Raisa scrunched her nose. “Ssu, but it’d be better if you were alwayss home.”
Kayluth smiled warmly at his daughter before looking down at the small male child pulling on his pant leg. He lifted Reykos and settled his son on his hip in a mirror image to Sundrake.
Reykos hugged Kayluth’s neck, then settled his cheek on Kay’s shoulder. “Papa-moon wass very ssad when you and Uncle Tyr went away. You sshouldn’t make him ssad, Father.”
“Ssu, I will try very hard to never make Papa-moon ssad again.” Kayluth petted Reykos’ braids as he led the procession of their family inside.
Nik ran into the foyer, skidding to a stop in front of them. “Oh good, I didn’t miss you. Mama and Pap are insisting you come and eat before you retire to your rooms. And Jules will have my head if she doesn’t get to see you, so, you know, I’d be really grateful if you’d at least make an appearance.”
Kayluth turned to Moondrake, arching a brow. Just thinking about food had his stomach rumbling.
Moondrake shrugged. “I could eat. It is almost dinner time, and I don’t think any of us have eaten since this morning, except the littles.”
Nik clapped his hands. “Excellent.” He started a parade down the hall, quickly joined by Reykos and Raisa who squirmed to be let down so they could skip to Nik’s sides, holding his hands and marching as hehup-ed,two,three,four.
As he watched his children, Moondrake and Sundrake threaded their fingers with his. Moondrake, with his soft flowing dark brown hair, loose of its tieback, curled around Kayluth’s left arm. Fair-haired Sundrake, rumpled from having chased Tore, Hazer, Tyr and him through the underground tunnel and across town, held Kayluth’s other hand with a steady grip.
Pride filled him to overflowing. Two strong and handsome mates, two beautiful offspring, family by blood, marriage, and friendship that he loved and was loved in return… All this warmed his heart and soul.
Kayluth tugged on Sundrake’s hand, drawing him closer. He pressed a kiss to Sundrake’s temple. “I love you.”
Sundrake traced Kayluth’s jaw, teasing him into a longer kiss, though awkward as they continued to slowly make their way along the hall. Father Lyurn made kissy noises as he passed, but Kayluth saw how he caught Father Tailyn’s hand and sought a kiss of his own afterward.
“My turn,” Moondrake said, cupping Kayluth’s cheek to turn him from Sundrake.
Kayluth laughed and swept Moondrake up into a lengthy embrace and a lock of their lips he wished could last forever.
“Only if I can equally share in the forever,” Sundrake murmured, pressing his mouth to Kayluth’s neck.
“Are you sure we need to eat?” Moondrake whisper-whined.
Kayluth laughed. “Ssu. Food for oursselvess and our babes, then we will tuck them into their bedss and go find ourss.”
“I like this plan,” Sundrake agreed, pulling them onward. “But I am curious…”
“About what?”
“Who will be in the middle tonight?”
Kayluth glanced at Moondrake who playfully pursed his lips and tapped them with a forefinger then shook his head and said, “Best I wait until later to make that decision.”
Kayluth stared at his sobroke with the embers of arousal alighting in his gaze. “I look forward to your decision.”
Sundrake wet his lips. “As do I.”
