Page 197 of Rose and Shadows
Ourson.
Three months and six days it had been now and every time I held him was still like the first time.
Inexplicably wonderful.
Utterly miraculous.
I stared down at him, still awed by the sight of him.
He was so impossibly small, barely filling my arms, his head fitting in the crook of my elbow, the soft wisps of his dark hair brushing my skin every time he moved slightly. He was swaddled in a purple blanket with scattered black stars. His eyes were a stunning amethyst, just like Velra’s.
One hand had escaped the blanket and he reached out, grasping my finger, something he often did with all of us.
Winter Nox.
Our little bundle of joy and hope.
I looked up at the rumble across the floor, just as Ketheron walked into the nursery.
It was a beautiful space, glowing with moonlit blue, gothic arches framing tall windows. A canopy of ivory gauze drifted over the crib with a crystal light shaped like starlight above. A cozy forest-green chair sat opposite the crib alongside a purple one. There was a rocking horse in the corner that was actually a unicorn. The stone floor was covered with a pastel-blue shag rug.
Ketheron crossed to us and held up his bear that Lazriel had fixed so very well, the eyes now on sturdily. “I thought Maximus might be able to help this little bundle of joy sleep better tonight.”
“You are offering to give up your most beloved bear, Ketheron?”
He pursed his lips, then gave a nod. “For a few nights. I still love him. But I thought the baby might need him more than I do right now. He has been very restless and upset throughout this week during the night.”
He certainly had.
According to the books I’d been devouring on the subject, it was a form of sleep regression, nothing to be concerned about, nor reel over.
“Thank you, Ketheron. That’s incredibly thoughtful. I’m sure Winter will adore it and take great comfort in him.”
His eyes lit up and he dipped his head to take in Winter in my arms. “I’ll see you again in two days, little baby. I’m staying with Ariana for a sleepover. She’s my kindred. I’ll tell you all about her and her boyfriends when you’re older.”
I chuckled. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“I will.” He nuzzled against me, then teleported out.
Winter’s eyes flamed.
We had seen it before, him registering expulsions of power.
It had even ceased long crying episodes before and calmed his upset.
It was uncanny.
To be expected, given that he was one of a kind.
“Ding dong, baby boy, other Daddy is home!” Lazriel’s voice rang out a moment before he appeared in a burst and strode into the nursery, swaggering as usual in his jeans and leather biker jacket.
He’d returned earlier than expected from his work at Vyrn Hollow. He’d left early this morning, an hour before the sun had come up, to spend some time with his dad too.
I shook my head in dismay as I saw his soiled boots tracking in mud everywhere across the marble floor.
He lifted a shoulder. “A little magic will fix it right up,” he said, eyeing me knowingly.
Before I could even move to do that, he reached out for Winter.
