Page 7 of Beyond the Storm
Simon snorted.
“Oh!” she said. “I also made lemon bars for you. Although…” Her green eyes flickered over to Raiden, who was circling the food. “Someone might get them before you do, so hurry and grab one before they mysteriously disappear.”
“Mysteriously. Right.”
Titan touched the small of Raiden’s back and whispered in his ear. My gluttonous brother crinkled his nose with a smile before grabbing a stack of paper plates. He handed one to each of us, and we filled them before sitting around the bonfire. They had brought fold-out chairs and blankets—for the humans to use. Mason wrapped his blanket around Gray and nuzzled his wild blond hair as Gray sat on his lap, feet slowly kicking as he shoved cheesy sliders into his mouth.
Warrin and Daman sat beside me. Daman passed the baby to the ice dragon, and Warrin softly smiled down at him. Sorin had Warrin’s silver hair and light blue eyes but Daman’s dark complexion, nose, and eye shape.
“He’s beautiful,” Simon said.
“Just like kotya,” Warrin responded.
“He looks more like you than me.” Daman rested his cheek on Warrin’s shoulder. “And I love it.”
“Envy doesn’t mind?” I asked.
Daman shook his head. “Surprisingly, no. Envy is happy about that.” He seemed hesitant before asking, “Do you… want to hold him?”
“No,” I said on impulse. Babies and I didn’t mix well. I feared I’d accidentally be too rough and break him or something.
“Okay. My turn, then.” Bellamy came over, and Warrin handed the baby to him. He cradled Sorin and smiled. “Your uncle Bell is going to spoil the hell out of you, little guy.”
“Don’t teach him any of your bad habits,” Daman said.
“Bad habits?” Bellamy brought Sorin up and pressed their cheeks together. “Baby Sor, tell your daddy to stop being mean to me.”
Simon had finished his food and held a steaming mug in his hands, letting it warm them. “This mocha cappuccino is really good.”
Kallias had made it. Since the end of the war, he’d become skilled in brewing all kinds of specialty drinks. My attention turned to him. He sat beside Elasus. The two of them spoke softly to each other and exchanged tender smiles that seemed out of place for hardened warriors such as themselves.
“They look happy,” Simon said, having followed my gaze.
“Yes.” I looked at my husband. “I know the feeling all too well.”
“Don’t make me blush, you jerk.” He took another drink, and the steam fogged up his glasses. I pressed my face into his hair to hide my smile. “Stop it. I feel you smiling.”
Wrath chuckled, the sound low and raspy. Our mate was the only person who brought out that side of my sin.
“Tell Wrath to be quiet,” Simon mumbled, his mouth curving up. “But I guess it’s his birthday too.”
Laughter echoed around the fire. The light atmosphere and everyone being together was… nice. My brothers and I still tried to meet every Sunday for family dinner—thanks to Raiden—but there were some weeks where a few couldn’t make it. With their newborn son, Warrin and Daman had been busy, as had Castor and Kyo, who lived in the water dragon palace and had been preoccupied as of late with helping King Tatsuya mend relations with the other dragon clans.
Sirena held Clara close to her side as she spoke with Elasus about weaponry. He had been working as a bladesmith while living on Baxter’s island.
Penemuel and Lazarus chatted, the two of them civil despite their complicated history. I’d even say they’d become friends since the end of the war. Or at leastfriendly.
“I know you don’t really like surprises,” Simon said. The skin around his eyes tightened. “Are you mad?”
“At you? Never.” I smoothed my thumb over those worry lines. “Thank you for the party.”
I wasn’t used to the attention. Having everyone work together to do something special for me touched me a lot more than I expressed.
“You’re welcome.” Simon angled his face and met me for a soft kiss. “Happy birthday, big guy.”
Raiden cut the cake, and Clara helped him pass out the slices, handing one to me first. I gave the first bite to Simon though, loving the pleased little rumble in his throat as he chewed. Then, I took a bite. The strawberry cake was pillowy soft, and the cream cheese frosting wasn’t overly sweet. It was perfect.
I kissed Simon again and licked off a bit of frosting from his lip. He softly laughed. I brought him closer and glanced at everyone around us. My family.
