Page 90 of Rose and Shadows
Vorzyr gave him a look. “Damn, you just had to ask. I was right here, gorgeous.”
Lazriel’s gaze flicked to his.
Tension rose as I saw Lazriel trying to get a read on him.
But Vorzyr held steady, not flinching one little bit.
And then Nyx couldn’t hold himself back, and he burst out laughing. “Ariana would have your head. And Kai would do a whole lot worse.”
“Sexually destroy you, I’d imagine,” Sylas said, striding over.
His gaze was intent on the baby, almost reverent, studying, gauging.
“You’re next-level when it comes to that, from what I’ve heard,” Vorzyr said.
Sylas’ attention flicked to him. A smirk played on his lips. “Kai’s got me with the degradation. I prefer to stay in the dirty lane.” He lifted a shoulder. “Each to their own.”
Lazriel caught my eye, then looked away quickly. I had no doubt he was thinking of our very recent sexual encounter where thesexually destroyingaspect had most definitely been prevalent. Velra smiled out at me. She was well aware of what had happened, partly through the Soul Brand, but also because she’d asked me, having been so very concerned about Lazriel after his captivity under Victor Halrow.
“Cut it out,” he told Vorzyr and Sylas. “In front of a baby, assholes.”
I smiled. Trust him to attempt a lecture like that while also throwing in a curse word.
“He can’t register the content of your conversation, not even your actual words at this age,” Nyx said, smiling at Lazriel.
“But Ketheron certainly can,” I spoke up, noticing him frowning in confusion as he listened in and tried to make sense of what he could not at this juncture.
Lazriel eased from the baby and walked to Ketheron. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you, Keth.”
“Excuse me?” I cut in. “I don’t believe that’s the best way forward.”
“Why not?”
“I’ll see to it,” Sylas called over, and I saw him finally react to Torvek who was flailing his hand toward Sylas. Sylas took it very carefully, his eyes shining.
“I would like Velra to teach me,” Ketheron announced all of a sudden.
Velra started in surprise. “Me?”
“Yes,” Ketheron told her with a smile. “I like how you explain things to me. Emotional things, hopes and dreams, relationship interactions… all of it. You’re patient and enthusiastic and careful and caring. I like it very much.”
Emotion welled in her eyes. “Thank you,” she only just managed to utter.
Ketheron smiled and took her hand, guiding her over to Torvek and the four fawning over him.
I watched then as she emerged from what I’d felt as her uncertainty and inferiority in such matters involving caretaking and interaction with an infant, and began to interact more so. Nyx signaled to Vorzyr—although he could no longer read Velra with his Incubus abilities since I’d tethered her months ago, he was still impressively perceptive—and Vorzyr handed Torvek to her.
She sucked in a breath as she cradled him to her, eyes wide with both awe and uncertainty.
I walked over, taking it all in, especially the way Lazriel’s eyes lit with so much excitement, and Sylas’ gaze darted from her belly to her holding the baby.
She shifted her hold after a few moments, growing more comfortable, and as the conversation swirled around her and she was oblivious to it all, focused only on the baby.
Little snores sounded as Torvek fell asleep in her arms.
“Whoa,” Vorzyr exclaimed. “I’ve never known a dragon to sleep when its hungry. That’s why he woke up. It was feeding time. Every two hours on the dot Draven told me.”
I saw her wince through her smile at Vorzyr’s words.
