Page 41 of The Iron Flower

“Gunther’s sister took me in,” Ferrin explains. “She raised me as her own.”

Something behind me catches his attention, and I turn to see Andras and Tierney entering the hall.

The two of them have struck up an unlikely friendship since we all met Es’tryl’lyan. Andras’s love of horses has easily extended to embrace Tierney’s terrifying Kelpies, and the Kelpies, in turn, have become warily friendly with Andras.

I was surprised to see the two of them fall in with each other so quickly, since Tierney is usually reluctant to trust anyone, but Andras’s steady nature seems to be the only thing that soothes her these days.

Andras catches sight of Ferrin and blinks in surprise, and I realize that the Lupine beta is likely the only other male Amaz Andras has ever seen.

Ferrin straightens as Andras and Tierney approach. “I am Ferrin Sandulf,” he says to Andras, holding out his hand. “Beta of the Gerwulf Pack.”

“I am Andras Volya,” Andras introduces himself in turn, shaking Ferrin’s hand, “son of Astrid Volya.”

Ferrin’s eyes widen. “You areAndras?”

Andras looks questioningly at him, seeming puzzled by the strong response to his name. “I am.”

“Sorcha Xanthippe,” Ferrin continues, his face serious. “You paired with her?”

“Yes, as is our custom...”

“But, Sorcha...about three years ago...you lay together?”

“Yes.” Andras’s brow knits together in confusion.

Ferrin’s face becomes oddly grave as he looks across the dining hall. “Soraya,” he calls out. “Will you come here?”

His mate nods at him and makes her way over to us, holding their little boy in her arms. Her pleasant smile falters as she takes in Ferrin’s serious expression.

“This is Andras Volya,” Ferrin tells her pointedly, gesturing toward Andras. “Sorcha Xanthippe’s mate.”

Soraya’s crimson eyes take on a look of astonishment, and her gaze immediately makes its way from Andras to the child in her arms and back again. For a moment, she seems utterly dumbfounded.

“Andras Volya,” Soraya finally says, her voice filled with emotion. “This is Konnor. Your son.”

Tierney and I gasp, and Andras’s mouth falls open in shock, his eyes riveted on the boy. Little Konnor smiles shyly at him as he clings tightly to Soraya.

“Sorcha brought him to us,” Ferrin explains, laying a steadying hand on Andras’s shoulder. Andras is frozen, stunned into silence.

“Would you like to hold him?” Soraya asks gently. When he fails to respond, she comes closer, offering the toddler out to Andras.

Konnor looks up at him, unafraid as Andras lifts him into his strong arms. The boy reaches up with small fingers to touch the side of Andras’s face, tracing the lines of his rune-tattoos.

Andras begins to cry.

Ferrin and Soraya move to embrace him, and Konnor’s eyes dart around at everyone, as if confused. He reaches up to touch the silent tears falling from Andras’s eyes with a tiny fingertip.

“You are part of our family now,” Soraya tells Andras, her own eyes brimming with tears.

“I never thought I would find a place for myself anywhere,” Andras replies, voice rough. “I thought my mother and I would always be alone.”

“There are others like you,” Soraya explains. “There are four men with Amaz ancestry in the Northern pack.”

Little Konnor, perhaps put off by all the strong emotion surrounding him, fidgets agitatedly and reaches for his mother. Andras kisses the top of the child’s head and hands him back to Soraya.

“Come, Andras,” Ferrin says, placing a hand on his arm. “There is much to discuss.”

Andras turns to Tierney, his face a tumult of emotion as they exchange a weighty glance.

---