Page 78 of My Salvation

Gaius was trying to fight off Aurora’s tiny fists as she batted at her father. “There were four of you.” He looked down. “Aurora, darling, please.”

Helios’ eyes darkened. “Mother, tell me again why I can’t maul Father?”

Vesta pinched the bridge of her nose. “Because it wasn’t only his fault, and you would regret it, eventually.”

Gaius looked offended. “Vesta, I’m sure he’d regret it immediately.”

Aurora abandoned the idea of pummeling her father and joined her sister in hanging from Priest like a Christmas ornament.

Priest let himself be swayed back and forth between the two women as Ari and Gage laughed their asses off.

Cas walked over to Helios. “If you are his brother, I guess that makes you mine as well. I am Cassandra Vi’Illiya, Priest’s mate.”

Helios gave a half bow and kissed her hand in greeting. “What a blessed day it is to gain both a brother and a sister.”

Priest snapped out his shock to point at Helios. “Lips to yourself.”

Helios smiled. “Can I not greet my new sister?”

Aurora rolled her eyes. “Helios, quit acting like a dick and come greet our brother instead.”

Brie pointed to the feisty one. “I like her.”

Helios winked down at Cas and walked over to where Priest was still smushed between his sisters.

Gage pulled Cas to stand between him and Zoe protectively. “Helios is like a taller, suaver Priest.”

“I can be suave!” Priest protested.

Cas watched as the blue smudge over his aura shrunk a bit.

Priest looked at his siblings. “Maybe they didn’t need me if they had you all,” he said softly.

Helios’ expression turned contemplative then he raised his hand and cuffed Priest soundly. “Gods, I’ve always wanted to do that. Can’t really do that with the girls. They’d cry.”

Priest stared at his newfound brother. “What the hell?”

Helios blew across his fingers. “Need another one? Done feeling sorry for yourself?”

Priest’s mouth opened, then closed, then opened, then snapped shut before he grinned. “Thanks. If I had been home, one of my unit brothers would have probably done the same thing.”

Helios looked at Iris and Aurora. “That’s what older brothers are for.” He pulled Priest to his chest so the four of them were intertwined. “Complete at last,” he whispered. “We always felt something was missing, but couldn’t articulate what it was.”

Vesta and Gaius wiped at their tears at the sight of the children finally together.

Helios cleared his throat, then looked about. “You’re Ari Lionhart, aren’t you?”

Ari nodded, eyeing the man closely.

“Good. I’d like to become a unit warrior. How does one go about doing that?”

Ari’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. “What?”

“What?” Priest whispered.

“What!” Gaius roared.

Helios grinned. “I have a baby brother to look after, and honestly, I feel like I need to spread my wings a bit.”

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