Page 49 of Their Princess

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After a delicious breakfastmade by Kayden, Mason, Kayden, and I gathered in the living room and started our brainstorming.

“Here’s my suggestion,” Mason began. “We should offer field trips for the orphanages to go to the other world, to learn about both places and to help with developing relationships between them. If we start the kids off as friends from a young age, when they reach middle school, they’re far less likely to have issues attending the same school together. I really like your idea of the kids staying in their worlds for elementary school, then going to middle school and high school together. Plus, that means we won’t have to build additional middle schools and high schools here.”

I gasped. “I love that idea! The kids can play together and it could lead to more adoption opportunities for those willing to adopt from the other world.”

Trey joined us, a stack of papers in his hands. His normally styled hair was a mess and bags hung beneath his eyes.

I had released our bond, which I quickly double checked, so why was he so sleep deprived?

“I found an instructor for Elrith,” he stated before putting a hand over his mouth to stifle a yawn. “I also came up with this.” He pressed a kiss to my temple before setting the papers on the coffee table before me.

I grabbed his arm, stilling him. “Why’re you so tired? I opened the bond and?—”

He smiled and squatted down in front of me. “My lack of sleep was due to calls, emails, and planning. Not you, love.” Leaning up, he rubbed his cheek against mine, making a purring sound. “I was excited by my idea.”

I rested my hand against his face, and he immediately leaned into it with a sigh of contentment. “Eat while I read your idea,” I ordered.

His eyes flashed, but instead of a snippy retort, he turned his head and kissed my palm. “As my goddess wishes.”

After watching him a moment to ensure he went to the kitchen and followed my orders, I pulled his papers into my lap to read them. My eyes widened, and I gasped at what I read. “You created an entire curriculum that incorporates both worlds’ history and defensive training for the kids in one night?”

“It’s just an outline,” he mumbled around the breakfast burrito he’d taken a bite of. “This is delicious, Kayden.” He turned back to me. “I need to talk to Druth or Talrinir to get more information from them before I can expand the curriculum fully. I’m not quite sure what they teach the kids here, and I don’t want to assume.”

“Speaking of them, when will Elrith be home?” I asked. I missed the little imp and his cuddles. The poor thing was seemingly touch starved, but with four of us, we were doing our best to fix that … and probably spoiling him in the process. A process I was a-okay with as I also enjoyed all the extra cuddles.

The front door flew open and Elrith yelled, “I’m home!”

“Speak of the little devil,” Mason said with a smile as he stood.

I leaped to my feet and raced to the door, beating them all, scooped up Elrtih, and hugged him tight. “Elrith!”

He giggled as I nuzzled his cheek. “Mama!”

My heart soared. I was certain I would never tire of hearing him call me that. I also knew to treasure it while it happened because once he became a teenager, all bets were off on what he’d call me.

“Nice to see where we rank on greetings,” Jol whispered.

My head snapped up, and I gasped at him and Talrinir. “Sorry!” It was actually a bad sign that I hadn’t even paid attention to who else was here besides Elrith.

They both smiled, seeming to understand my lack of etiquette.

Talrinir wrapped her arms around both me and Elrith. “Hello, friend.”

“Fur is tickly,” Elrith giggled.

Her furred ears were soft.

Jol hugged the three of us, earning a growl from Mason.

Jol and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes simultaneously as he stepped back.

Elrith leapt from my arms to Mason’s, causing him to pause and refocus his attention. “Is there food, Papa?”

Mason’s eyes softened even more, and he nodded. “Kayden made burritos. Let’s each get one before Trey eats them all.”

“I’ve only had three,” Trey grunted, making Mason and Elrith laugh.

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