“Seidrik has been mine since we were little. I ran off after meeting Virion and went to play in the forest and saw him talking to a nymph. I knew right then he was mine. The prettiest wings. And such a brat. I didn’t know why I thought it cute back then, but I figured out I rather like the impetuous type.” Stamel wagged a fork at Seidrik who sighed raggedly.
Stamel leaned over to offer his love a kiss and reached over to feel the top of his belly, rubbing soothing circles. Their little one was rambunctious at times.
Seidrik laid his fork down and rocked in his chair, exhaling a long breath. “These quickenings are getting fierce, I must say.”
“Mine always wore me thin, didn’t they, Kershai?” Pallosar’s comment had his mate nodding. “Ingred’s was the worst. I labored almost two days with him. And he had the nerve to come out as small as he did. Speaking of, did you hear they set a date for his wedding?”
“I heard, but nobody told me when.” Stamel patted and rubbed on Seidrik’s back as he rocked through the sensation and pushed his food away for good.
“They wanted it sooner but staved it off until spring so you two could attend. No traveling so soon with a little one or while dangerously pregnant.” Pallosar smiled as Virion offered Ahran another bite of food.
“Speaking of, Virion, will you be okay to travel come spring? You’re invited, too, of course.” Pallosar raised a brow as Virion’s cheeks pinkened.
“I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t be able to trav—”
Pallosar gave him a hard stare and a snort of laughter.
“I should be able to do so.” Virion sighed and cut his gaze. “Did you tell, Nemiah?”
“I said nothing. We’ve not told anyone but Nilla and Mother so far.” Nemiah held his hands up and Seidrik stared at Virion with incredulity.
“You’re pregnant, again?” Seidrik barked a note of laughter.
“Unintentionally… Ahran has been weaning himself and my cycles came back, and I wasn’t prepared.” Virion tucked a stray hair into place.
“Happens to the best of us, dear.” Pallosar grinned. “But you’ve been feeding most of yourbreakfast to Ahran and have passed over half the dishes here.”
“Observant as ever, Pallosar.” Virion sighed. “We’re not announcing anything until I’m showing. The moon never guarantees anything.”
“Don’t speak so grimly. It’s bad luck and making me nervous.” Seidrik rubbed at his side and pitched forward a little.
“As the most experienced omega in the room, I feel qualified to say that Seidrik should go rest, if not find out where Jori has gotten off to.” Pallosar stared Seidrik down and earned an exhausted nod.
Stamel had thought Seidrik a little slow that morning, but hadn’t quite understood how delicate his mate was. And from Virion’s smirk and Pallosar’s encouraging smile—Stamel’s nerves practically vibrated.
“I’m fine. It’s been this way since last night. Nilla said unless I was screaming, it wasn’t anything to fear.” Seidrik waved them off and Virion frowned.
“Nilla is a little heavy-handed when it comes to urgency on that matter. Omegas have higher pain tolerances,” Virion said, giving Seidrik a look. “But Nemiah can watch after Ahran, and I can take you to the vitalis font. Jori sat everything up already?”
Stamel nodded and Virion passed Ahran over before sweeping by to escort Seidrik off. “We’ll call when things are worth hanging around for.”
Stamel fidgeted, but Seidrik urged him to stay with his family with a calming gesture. “You won’t miss anything, I promise.”
As they slipped off, everyone cleaned their places and stacked plates. Stamel took a deep breath. “I fear Lumic and Askara will miss the main event.”
“They’ll be by soon enough, dear. You’re a large male, as is Kershai. It will not go slowly.” Pallosar gavea grave nod before following the procession to the family room to wait.
Stamel paced until Kershai made him sit, saying he’d wear a hole in the carpet.
Ingred showed up sometime later, Lumic and Askara in tow with bright eyes and a happy little Lyrica babbling in his arms.
Stamel hadn’t had family around when Kimbel had been born, and had only been made aware once he’d delivered. He’d been kind and offered to sit with Rekai and hold his hand, but was only permitted to stay outside the room when he delivered. As for Tyran’s father? He’d left the babe at night and left without a word. As was his right, but Stamel hadn’t had the experience of birth, yet. Not that he’d earned it. The privilege of sitting with his mate through the most painful thing of his life was a great milestone to come.
But as the minutes turned to hours, when he could stand it no more, he stood, proclaiming he wanted to check on things, a little silvery moth fluttered in, circling his head before flitting about at his ear. A whisper of Seidrik’s voice said, “Your presence will now be tolerated, my dear.”
Stamel swallowed hard. “Looks like I’m needed elsewhere.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
