Ten days later…

Ceri looked across the table at the little boy. “Not hungry?” she asked, brows raised.

Sam shook his head. “I don’t like broccoli,” he announced, looking completely put out. Like his five-year-old world had just come to an end.

“You don’t?”

He shook his head. “It tastes like poo.”

Ceri had to laugh. How could she not? “What do you like to eat then?”

“Human blood.” His eyes lit up.

She laughed even harder. “You do, do you?”

He nodded. “We sometimes get visiting humans. I bite them every chance I get.”

Ceri felt her mouth drop open. “You don’t!”

Sam nodded profusely. “Yes, I do.”

“I’m sure your dads don’t allow it.” She looked at him skeptically, leaning her knife and fork on the sides of the plate.

Sam made a face. “No,” he huffed. “I’m not allowed. I get into big trouble…” Then his eyes brightened. “But I do it anyway.”

“You little rascal.” She leaned forward and gave his cheek a light pinch.

Sam giggled. “Why do you do that? Every time I see you, you pinch my cheeks, Ceri.”

“You have the cutest cheeks.” She pinched them again. “So chubby and cute, just like the rest of you.”

“Mummy is chubby.” Sam shoved a big piece of chicken into his mouth and began to chew.

“She’s not chubby, she’s pregnant and there’s a huge difference. Soon, you’re going to have a brother. How exciting is that?”

He shrugged. “He won’t be able to play with me.”

“Not just yet, but soon enough.”

Sam nodded. “I guess.” He shoved another forkful of chicken into his mouth. “He’s going to cry and poop a lot,” he said, around his food.

Ceri laughed. “Definitely, but—”

There was a knock at her door. Two sharp raps and then the door opened before she could say anything. She knew exactly who was there. “Hi Brant,” Ceri said, as he walked in.

Brant smiled. As always, her cousin was dressed to the nines. A three-piece suit, which fit him like a glove. A crisp, white shirt. A perfectly knotted tie. His shoes were shiny. His hair looked like it had been cut and styled that morning. “Ceri.” He nodded in greeting, his expression morphed into one of utter joy as soon as he laid eyes on his son. “Hi, buddy.”

“Daddy!” Sam yelled, his mouth still full. The little boy jumped off his chair and raced over to Brant, launching himself into his father’s arms.

“Did you enjoy your playdate at your Ceri’s house?”

Sam nodded. “We played cars and trains,” he announced.

“That sounds like fun!” Brant was smiling. The only other time Ceri saw the male this happy and carefree was when he was with his mate. Unless of course he and Zane were fighting, which happened from time to time. Being in a three-way mating sounded complicated if you asked her. Especially when the two males were both dominant. Both kings and used to being in charge. Certainly not for the faint of heart.

“It was fun!” Sam yelled.

“Are you ready to head home, bud?” Brant asked, putting Sammy down.

“Let him finish his lunch first. He still has a ton of broccoli to eat.” She winked at Sam, whose face fell. The little guy started shaking his head, about to protest. “I’m only teasing,” she quickly added with a laugh. “You don’t have to eat the broccoli.”

“You’re evil.” Brant cracked a smile. “Giving a child broccoli.” He widened his eyes.

“I made the kind of lunch I would normally make for myself. I didn’t give it much thought.”

“Clearly.” Brant raised his brows. “And talking about lunches, you need something a little more substantial than chicken, a spoonful of rice and broccoli. I can scent you haven’t drank from anyone in a couple of days. You could definitely do with some liquid sustenance as well, or there is no point even eating solids.”

“Chicken is healthy,” she countered. “I’m seeing Drago later today,” she continued. Shit! Now Brant was commenting on her weight loss as well. Had it got so bad that those around her were starting to pick up on it?

“You look like you could use some meat on your bones.” He gave her the once over and she had her answer. “You’re working too hard. Have no more trainees come forward?”

The chair scraped as Sam sat back down to his lunch.

She shook her head and locked eyes with her cousin and king of the vampires. “No-one wants to be a healer anymore. There are far more fascinating lines of work now that females are able to apply for any position they want. I’m still hoping to find a male willing to take on the role.”

“You’re still on about that?” Brant asked, one side of his mouth quirked up.

“I want to see males in traditionally female roles. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“There is still a stigma attached. Males are afraid of being seen as pussies.” He gave a one-shouldered shrug.

“Shhhhh.” She put a finger in front of her mouth. “Language.” She looked in Sam’s direction.

“Please,” Brant scoffed. “Have you heard how much Zane swears? Sammy knows he’s not allowed to say those words until he’s much older.”

Ceri rolled her eyes. “You are a ruthless leader and yet your son has you wrapped around his finger.”

“Shhh!!!” Brant’s eyes widened. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”

“What?” She was smiling broadly. “Just in case he doesn’t already know? I assure you he knows, no doubt about it.”

Brant sighed. “You’re right.”

“How is Tanya doing? Did she have a good rest?”

Brant nodded. “Thank you for taking Sam for the afternoon, especially since this is your only day off. My mate really needed the break.”

“Are you sure she’s only eleven months along in this pregnancy? Between you and me, she looks like she should have had this baby already. I’m not sure how she’s going to last one more month.”

Brant widened his eyes. “Yeah, don’t let her hear you say that. We had only just started trying for another child and she became pregnant. I have potent seed. So,” he shook his head, “she’s not further along.”

“That’s going to be one big boy then.”

“He’ll take after his father.” Brant puffed out his chest.

“Or Zane ‒ he could be the biological father this time around,” she blurted, immediately kicking herself for opening her trap.

Brant’s features tightened and his eyes darkened. “It doesn’t matter who the biological father is.”

“Of course not!” Shit! She’d ventured into touchy territory. There was no way to tell who the father was ‒ biological father ‒ they were both undoubtedly doting fathers to Sam. Even though Brant was the biological father, seeing as he was the spitting image of the male. Only once this child was born would they know for sure and even then, it might be impossible to tell just by looking at the baby.

“We’re hosting a meeting between the species next week,” Brant added out of nowhere.

“Oh.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but her heart sped up just a touch. Why was he telling her this?

“Zane and I will be kept very busy during the three-day talks. I know you’re busy too, but I’d appreciate it if you could keep an eye on Tanya. She won’t ask for help, even if she desperately needs it.”

“Sure, no problem. I would be happy to help out. I love Sammy.”

“It’s just that ‒ as you know ‒ we’re very picky about who looks after him. He is heir to the throne.”

“Don’t worry about it. I understand. I’ll keep my eye on Tanya and help out with Sam.”

Brant pushed out a breath. “Thank you.” He nodded once.

“So, are all the species going to be there?” She had to know.

“Yes.” Brant nodded. He stood up and looked over at Sam who was playing with his toy car rather than finishing his lunch.

“Even the elves?” She couldn’t jump straight to the dragons or it might look suspicious.

“Yes, Keto will be attending. A couple of the alphas as well. We’re allowing four delegates per species.”

She smiled and nodded. “I’m sure the dragons won’t be there.” She laughed like it was a ludicrous idea.

“Actually, they are the ones who called for the meeting in the first place.”

“Oh! Why is that?”

“It seems they are being harassed by dragon hunters. The dragons believe the rest of the species will also be targeted. That it’s only a matter of time. Since we are still being harassed by factions that wish us harm, Zane and I thought it pertinent. Also, if we can help the dragons, maybe they will come to our aid in the future. You never know what might happen. We plan on keeping our enemies close.”

“The dragons aren’t our enemies though,” she retorted.

“They’re certainly not our friends.” Brant’s jaw tightened. “Let’s see where they stand. We’ll know soon enough.”

“Surely you plan on using this to become allies…possibly even getting onto friendly terms with them?”

Brant choked out a laugh. “I highly doubt it, but you never know.”

At least they were open to the possibility. Dragons were coming. Here. Four of them. There was just no way one of them could be Bay. No way! Her mouth watered just thinking about the male. Maybe she would crave dragon blood no matter who the male was. It was a sobering thought. She needed to stay far away. One thing was for sure, she didn’t trust herself. Just thinking about dragon blood made her fangs descend. It wasn’t getting any better. If anything, her need for their blood was getting worse. Her hunger growing by the day.