Page 198 of Rose and Shadows
I jerked back with him. “Did you wash your hands?”
“Of course. I got the memo from you and Velra over the last few months, believe me.”
“Good. I don’t want mud or whatever else all over him.”
“He can’t get infections,” he chuckled. “Supernatural powerhouse baby, remember?”
“Still. Look at him, he’s so perfect, unblemished.”
“You know that’s not gonna hold for long with him having a wolf-vampire as a dad, right?”
He was much more used to being around babies, having grown up in a wolf pack where there were frequent births and everybody pitched in. So that was why he was able to accept thatmuch more easily than I, that sort of transition, the growing up aspect.
“I suppose,” I murmured, stroking Winter’s tiny fingers, before handing him over to Lazriel, who nuzzled against him and scented him, breathing him in.
“Aww, this is the cutest thing ever,” Velra’s voice came as she walked on in looking breathtaking in a purple leather wrap dress, her ombre hair cascading about her face.
She had been in the Dark Fae Realm today working with King Darethor and his new council that they were terming,Advisory Court,dropping the off-putting regal air that had become synonymous with the totalitarian rule that the Dark Fae Realm was trying hard to recover from.
She had two days off ahead, and then she’d be at the CRS facilities working with Nyx.
She had a busy schedule, but she always made time for Winter and for us. She was very good at balancing it. Sylas was the one having trouble.
Launching Requital was an incredible undertaking, so we were all hoping that was all it was, and that he would settle into a better balance soon.
Either way, Sylas was very open these days to us, so if he could not manage that on his own, a few words from us would assist to ease him from his tunnel vision.
He had made allowances already that boded well.
Like when he needed to research something for Arcanum Order, he often did it in our home lab that Kai and Lazriel had built for him, instead of going to Arcanum Conclave to do so—all so he could spend time with Winter and us.
He even took Winter into the lab with him. Although, when Velra had first found out, she hadn’t exactly been pleased and she’d insisted that going forward, Sylas and I had to erect a joint shield over Winter all the while he was in there with Sylas.
In her rush to reach the baby, she stepped in the mud that Lazriel had tracked in.
“Oops,” he said, wincing. “Sorry, love.”
She shook her head, then ruffled his hair when she reached us.
Then she conjured a baby bottle full of formula to her right hand. Her frost traveled up the bottle, cooling it to near-frozen temperature.
Winter wouldn’t drink warm formula. He spat it out every time.
It was a preference connected to his Wraith side.
Lazriel eased him into Velra’s arms, sensing her eagerness and need to hold him.
As she settled him against her, propping his head up, he cooed at her, his arms flailing happily.
She nuzzled against him, then started feeding him the bottle.
“Mommy missed you so much, baby boy,” she said, gazing at him lovingly, making Lazriel and I exchange a smile.
A flare of potent power drew my attention and I saw Lazriel scent the air.
A moment later, Sylas rushed on in. “Sorry I’m late,” he breathed.
I arched an eyebrow as I took in him carrying a massive gold treasure chest.
