Page 41 of Midwinter Night's Prince

“Oh my god!” Chloe was the first to reach her, engulfing her in her arms.

Cat joined right after, followed by Avani. They hugged her too hard, half jumping, half laughing and Blair was fairly certain she was crying. Mortals being slower, Gwen and Greer reached her seconds after the others.

“It’s so good to have you back,” Diana’s voice said, though Blair couldn’t see her, surrounded as she was.

She relished in the embraces, enjoying every moment of it. When her friends let go, Blair leaped right back into each of their arms for an individual hug.

“We missed you so freaking much.”

“And you haven’t even met your goddaughter yet!”

Blair pressed her hand over her open mouth. “My goddaughter?”

Levi approached with the most ridiculously perfect child she’d seen in his hands. The girl cooed happily, extending her arms to be held.

“Fuck, I’ve never held a baby. Help.”

“It’s easier than a kitten. You don’t even have to worry about the head, she’s old enough to hold it on her own now.” Chloe smiled encouragingly. “Go on.”

Blair didn’t think she’d been this stressed even on Olympus. What if she dropped the baby? What if she hated her?

“What’s her name?”

It turned out, once they were around the wiggling, soft, warm angel, she seemed to have a grasp of steel. Blairknew, she just knew she’d never let go. There was no way she’d drop her.

“Ruby.” Chloe smiled sadly.

“Perfect. She’s just perfect. Hi, princess. I’m so glad to meet you. I’m Auntie Blair.”

Ruby’s reply was a long unintelligible string of gibberish.

Agreeably, Blair replied, “Yes, I’d love to play with you.”

“Not you too!” Chloe growled. “You didn’t understand what she said. She’s not speaking.”

Blair knit her brows. “Really? She clearly just asked for some hide-and-seek.”

“Maybe later,” Seth said, leaning back against the farthest wall. “We have to talk.”

She hated him a little for ruining the moment, but unfortunately, the asshole had a point.

In a move so natural she would have thought she’d done it before, she shifted Ruby to her hip and went to take a seat on one of the cream chesterfields.

Why was this house so reasonably furnished? Blair suspected Seth had little to do with the decor.

"We just escaped Aveka in Greece,” Seth explained without preamble. “Blair was hurt, and if she didn’t know I would have chosen to take her here, her pawn Vlad would have been able to track us. She can’t move as fast as I do, but she has access to portals. They’re probably already here.”

He stared pointedly at Blair. “Our best bet is for you to leave. We can strike first, attack and facilitate your escape. I can take you away until we’re sure you’re not followed. You’re excellent at hiding.”

How she hated his guts right now. Mostly because he was right. How could she argue, with Ruby bouncing on her lap?

She’d do anything to protect this place, this family she’d found. Even leave it.

Blair bobbed her head, not trusting her voice.

“No way. You’re not leaving.” Chloe crowded up to Seth. “We’re not sending my best friend running because you got sloppy.”

“I messed up,” Seth admitted readily. “But that doesn’t change the facts. Blair’s in danger here. Last time Aveka got us cornered, Blair drove nine inches of fyriron through her own chest, and I’m not taking that chance again.”

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