Page 38 of Born of Blood and Ash

Clasping the back of Reaver’s neck, Ash tilted his head. “Ihate that either of you had to go through that. You shouldn’t have had to, butit’s okay to be upset. Understand? You can be angry, and you can be sad. Youcan even be afraid. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Sorrow filled me as Reaver’s face crumpled. He couldbe angry, sad, and scared, but damn it, he shouldn’t have to be any ofthose things.

Without saying a word, Ash gathered the young draken into his arms, lifting Reaver as he rose. A muffled,hoarse sob came from the child as Ash turned so Reaver remained hidden by hisframe. Cradling the back of Reaver’s head, Ash spoke quietly as the younglingclung to his shoulders, the knuckles of his small hands bleached white from howtightly he held on.

Gods. Ash was…he was so damn good with Reaver.

Sensing that Reaver likely wanted some time to himself, Iturned the wiggling Jadis to the table. I swallowed the knot in my throat anddecided to go with the only thing I felt would distract her. “Jadis, baby?Would you like a strawberry?”

Jadis’s attention was still on Reaver, but her fullyextended arms ceased their relentless pressure.

Tears filled my eyes as I smiled. “They’re very sweet andtasty.” I went around the table and sat on the couch. “I think you’ll likethem.”

Jadis pulled her diamond-shaped head back, her incrediblybig, blue eyes moving from me to the bowl and then to Reaver.

“They’re one of my favorite fruits.” I picked up a fork andsliced the strawberry in two. “Do you remember when I had you eat from a forkbefore?”

Jadis hesitated, then nodded as her hands returned to myhair, grabbing fistfuls.

Figuring that was a good sign, I picked up one of thehalves. “Just in case you’ve forgotten, watch me.”

She didn’t take her eyes off me or the fork as I took anincredibly slow bite. She chirped twice.

“Me, me.”

“Me.” I whispered what I’d heard in my mind, utterlydumbfounded. Was I really hearing her? Getting the other strawberry half ontothe fork, I glanced over at Ash and Reaver. The space where they had been wasempty, and I wondered if they’d gone through the door in the bathing chamberthat led to the adjoining meeting space.

Like before, Jadis stared at the utensil for severalmoments, her eyes narrowed. Her claws snagged in my hair as one hand let go anddropped to my arm. She tugged.

I smiled at her. “Ready?”

She snapped forward, closing her mouth around the fork. Herteeth clanged off the silver, but she did get the strawberry off without melosing the utensil or her losing a tooth.

“Good job. Want more?” I asked, not worried about feedingher strawberries since Ash gave her all the food under the roof when he thoughtNektas wasn’t paying attention.

Jadis nodded. She watched avidly as I cut several morestrawberries in half, holding on to my arm and humming. It still took a coupleof seconds for her to remember what to do and trust the utensil, but by thetime we got to the last strawberry, she was no longer hesitant, and I feltAsh’s and Reaver’s presence again.

“Jadis,” Ash called as he strode toward the table and couch.“You haven’t even acknowledged me yet.”

Jadis squawked excitedly, then threw herself against the armI was using to brace her and keep her upright.

Feeling like second best, I grinned as I let her go. Shescampered across the couch and then stood on her hind legs, stretching her armsup.

“I’m still your favorite.” Ash gave me a wink as he pickedJadis up, holding her to his chest. “Knew it.”

Jadis pressed the top of her head to his cheek, her eyessqueezed shut.

Reaver quietly approached. His skin was no longer ruddy, buthis eyes were puffy as he peeked up at me through dusky lashes. “Hi.”

“Hello,” I replied, and then we…

We just stared at each other.

I honestly had no idea what to do with children, especiallyupset ones, other than distract them with food. I didn’t think that would workwith Reaver, but when I looked at him, I was reminded of how close he’d come todying due to Veses. He’d been keeping me company whenshe arrived and had gone after her in an attempt to defend me—something draken weren’t supposed to do. She’d attacked him viciouslyenough to deliver a near-fatal blow, and I could still feel the panic of seeinghim lying there in his mortal form, unmoving.

So, I got over my awkwardness and patted the seat next tome. “Sit with me?”

Reaver nodded and hopped onto the couch beside me. He kepthis chin lowered and his hands clasped in his lap.

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