Sully ignores him. Pointedly.
Elias touches my cheek to call my attention back to him.
I lean a little closer.
He whispers, just for my ears, “Too fast? I wanted the paperwork in place … in case we have to … fight for them.”
I brush my cheek against his, already knowing that his stepping in to help settle the kids is just one part of how a healthy bond group is supposed to function. “A relief, actually. Thank you, my lord.”
Behind us, the door opens. We all turn as the missing piece of our soul-bound group enters the room. He falters at the threshold, looking uncomfortable in his dark-gray suit.
Rian.
His hesitation hurts my heart, my soul.
“Hi!” Kitty climbs up on the bench to get a better look at Rian over Sully’s head. “We bet on your horse to win!”
Rian flicks his gaze to me, tugging the door closed behind him. Then he throws a smile toward Kitty just before the silence becomes awkward. “That might be a risky bet.”
“Way to step up,” Sully mutters under his breath. Then he stands, grabbing Kitty under her arms. He swings the little seer over the bench seats, directing her toward the snack table. “Come grab something to eat. We’ll be able to see better on those screens there.”
Tommy glances between all of us. Then, easily reading the sudden source of tension in the room, he glowers at Rian as he otherwise silently stalks after his sister and Sully.
Christoph also stands to join the kids. I’m not sure whether he and Rian have formally met, but I seem to have momentarily lost my capacity for niceties.
Bolan sprawls out across the bench seat, his gaze on me.
Elias stands, his hand steady under my elbow as I do as well.
“Seems I missed something important,” Rian says edgily, still hovering by the door. “Or I’ve … interrupted.”
“Not at all.” Elias steps around the seats, holding his hand out to the younger male. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Rian.” He looks toward the small grouping around the food. Kitty appears to be stuffing her pockets with candy. “And I don’t believe you’ve formally met Lord Williams.”
The duke steps just close enough to shake Rian’s hand. “Christoph.”
“And the two young ones are Kitty and Tommy Walsh,” Elias says, still so polite. “We filed guardianship papers this morning.”
“You’re adopting these kids?” Rian asks bluntly, though not unkindly.
“Technically, it’s Her Highness’s name on the paperwork, due to the bond —”
“You adopted kids?” Rian looks at me as though he’s never seen me before.
And maybe I’m overreacting, but … “I tried calling you multiple times yesterday. And this morning.”
“So it’s my fault for being too busy for a prolonged conversation that I’m not even consulted about —”
Bolan stands up, the movement abrupt enough to interrupt Rian. “Check yourself, pup.” Even Bolan’s whispers carry weight. “Remember who you’re talking to.”
“I know that Mirth outranks me. That you all outrank me. No reminder needed.”
Bolan shakes his head sadly. “No, brother. Mirth is your soul-bound mate. And I shouldn’t have to remind you of that.”
All of Rian’s anger drains from him. Anger that might just be frustrated confusion, though it hurts my heart either way.
“Is something wrong?” Kitty asks plaintively from across the private box— obviously still listening to everything. “You don’t think …” Her bottom lip quivers. “You think Tommy and me aren’t good enough for Mirth to love us?”
Rian visibly takes the emotional blow of Kitty’s question straight to the chest. He opens his mouth but doesn’t know what to say.
