Page 90 of Under Crimson Blades

“I wanted to convey my apologies for breaking your face on one of our more recent encounters, Remmus.”

“Well, my face does have a tendency to incite violence,” Remmus replied, chipper. “Besides, we wouldn’t make a family without a few broken bones between us.”

Aidan growled, “Anyone ever breaks your bones, I’ll break theirs.”

“Well, on that happy note,” Riaz finally succeeded in breaking free from Aidan’s hold and turned a grin at Remmus. “You’re mated to my beta, Remmus, and even though you’re sadly lacking a wolf, I’ll accept you into the pack.”

“Shall I grow a tail to appease your animal?”

Ava pinched his arm. “Let’s wait until your transfiguration is working again, baby. Wouldn’t want you accidentally becoming a prey animal instead.”

Then Ava would really have to chase him.

Though it’d been slow going, Remmus had been working with Kaien and Luna to restore his use of transfiguration and refocus his technopathic gifts. The healers had given him a tedious set of exercises, which had gradually been reestablishing his former abilities.

Not that Ava would’ve minded. She loved him regardless of what he was able to hack into or wore on his skin, but he was far more comfortable projecting the lie for now, and she couldn’t fault him for it.

“We also are overdue for an Accords meeting,” Aidan explained, crossing his massive arms over his broad chest. “Nina and I spoke; we’d like you both there.”

“Can’t have the party without the guest of honor.”

“Besides,” Riaz’ grin grew comically large. “We need a ride.”

“I’d be overjoyed to function as your personal taxi, your greatness.”

And two hours later, Remmus made good on his promise. As soon as they’d landed in Nina’s home in Lexington, he slid a possessive hand around Ava's waist.

As Ava glanced around the foyer, she sighted with one of the few female alphas in the world. “Nova!”

Eager to catch up with her old friend, she embraced her and began chatting as though they’d never been apart. The last time Ava had seen her, it’d been at her mating party several years ago. Nova’s mate, Kane, was here as a delegate, and was speaking with a handful of other immortals.

Before she knew it, Kaien appeared to sweep them all into a conference room. That was when the Raeth sovereign Isaiah teleported in with a host of delegates at his side, including his mate, Rukia.

The water Elemental was pregnant.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Remmus gaped, along with the rest of the delegation, when they discovered that Rukia was with child. Evidently, her pregnancy was a result of the Heat that’d taken place only five months ago.

That much was apparent from the territorial way her mate, Isaiah, guarded her. Perhaps Raeth and Elemental ancestors were more closely intertwined than anyone had originally thought.

“Rukia!” Nina’s elated voice echoed from the doorway. “You’re pregnant!”

The Elemental grinned. “Must be something in the water.”

When the two women clutched each other in a hug and began murmuring excitedly about their upcoming happy events, Remmus couldn’t help but notice the way Zeke and Isaiah hovered at their backs like shadows. Their eyes locked onto each other.

A trickle of electricity prickled the air around them. The two dads-to-be were clearly discussing their similar experiences, complete with minor facial expressions that betrayed their exasperation.

Around them, as the other delegates began congratulating the two women, Aidan asked the question everyone was dying to know. “And how is the future daddy, Rukia?”

“Gah, he’s been a nightmare.” Rukia admitted, swatting at him with one hand while Isaiah rolled his eyes. “Just completely off the deep end, this one.”

“I feel your pain.” Nina quirked a brow at Zeke. “Our cross to bear, I suppose. Shall we begin?”

While the delegation shuffled toward their customary seats, Riaz gave voice to their amusement: “Perhaps this time, we can conduct our meeting without half our number being whisked away for the duration?”

Nina’s cheeks flamed. “I’m fairly confident we won’t have to worry about that for quite some time.”

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