Page 85 of Elora and the Crow

“I’m done with that life,” Jonah said.

They stood silently for a few seconds before Caleb said, “Nimera is pregnant. She’s due in three months.”

“Holy shit,” Jonah said. “Congratulations, little brother.”

“Thanks.” The excitement and love on Caleb’s face shone brightly. “I can’t wait to be a dad. I just hope I’m half as good as Dad was.”

Jonah squeezed his shoulder. “You’ll be an amazing dad, Caleb.”

Caleb smiled at him. “We’re engaged. I’d like you to be my best man.”

Jonah’s throat tightened again, and he blinked rapidly as Caleb punched him on the shoulder and said, “Stop crying and say yes.”

“Yes,” Jonah said hoarsely.

“Good.” Caleb grinned at him. “Come meet Nimera.”

They walked quickly through the cold air to the house. As they stepped into the mudroom just behind the kitchen, Jonah could hear Elora’s soft laughter, and he couldn’t help but smile. Leave it to Elora to make immediate friends with a fae.

Be kind, Jonah. Nimera is important to Caleb, and if you want a relationship with him, you have to set aside your prejudice and your preconceived notion of who she is.

He took a deep breath, more nervous than he expected, and followed Caleb into the kitchen. A muscular white woman with dark brown eyes and short brown hair sat at the table with Elora. He could smell peppermint, and Elora took a sip of tea before smiling at him.

Nimera stood, and Caleb joined her, slipping his arm around her waist. “Nimera, this is my brother, Jonah. Jonah, this is Nimera.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jonah.” Nimera held out her hand, and after a moment’s hesitation and a glance at Elora, Jonah shook it.

“It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Nimera stared directly at him. “I’m sorry for what Dairem and Witan did to you. No orders were given to harm you, and I am embarrassed by their actions.”

A little uncomfortable with her directness and genuine look of remorse, Jonah said, “Don’t worry about it.”

She frowned. “I promise you it will never happen again. You will always be welcome in our home.” She glanced at Elora. “You and Elora.”

“Thank you,” Jonah said. He figured it would be about twenty years before he’d let Elora anywhere near the fucking fae compound, but that was a problem for later. Right now, he would take the olive branch she was extending for the sake of his relationship with Caleb.

He glanced at Nimera’s stomach. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you and Caleb.”

“Thank you.” She caressed her belly, smiling at Caleb when he placed his hand over hers. “We weren’t planning on starting our family quite this early, but we’re both thrilled and excited.”

“We’re working on the nursery,” Caleb said. “We’re doing a plant theme.”

“Really?” Jonah said.

“Yes,” Nimera said. “Nature and all her beauty is important to me, and Caleb told me about your father’s love of plants.”

“That’s great,” Jonah said as Elora joined him. Grateful for her support, he put his arm around her, cupping her hip lightly and ignoring Caleb’s surprised look. “I’m excited to be an uncle.”

There was more awkwardness that Elora smoothed over quickly. “Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?”

“We decided to keep it a surprise,” Nimera said.

“Oh, that’s fun,” Elora said. “Do you feel like you have everything ready to go?”

“Oh goddess, not even close,” Nimera laughed. “We still have to get a car seat and a stroller and put the crib together.”

Elora smiled. “There’s a lot to do, I imagine.”

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