Brevyn looked from me to his twin—who was pouting in a way that Arach often did—and his face fell. Brev went to his brother and hugged him in the open manner of children. Rian's pout disappeared immediately as he hugged his twin back. The boys might sass each other, as they did us, but they were two halves of one whole, and that was a bond even stronger than the one between normal twins. They could never hurt each other purposefully.
“I'm sorry, Ree,” Brevyn said earnestly. “You're not stupid; I didn't mean that.”
“I know, Brev.” Rian grinned as he pushed his brother away playfully. “You just like being a wise-ass.”
I grimaced at Arach.
“You were the one who said that word,” Arach pointed out to me. “Because you had to be right too.”
“I correct you because you are learning American slang, and I want you to get it right,” I said. “Not because I want to be right.”
“I know, A Thaisce,” Arach said in a much sweeter tone than our son had used. “And I appreciate it. But next time, perhaps you should whisper it into my ear.”
“You just want me to whisper in your ear,” I teased.
“And what's wrong with that?” Arach smirked.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“So, that's why the Four Horsemen are all living in Pride Palace,” I concluded.
Arach and I were having lunch in the dining hall with the boys while I told Arach about the situation with Azrael. Arach's deep ruby hair was pulled back into a no-nonsense ponytail; making his dragon-sidhe features more prominent. Shafts of sunlight came in through the high windows on our left, making the crimson scales at his temples shine like glass, and his eyes glow like citrines. Arach narrowed his bright gaze in consideration.
“Isn't there another death angel that is at odds with Azrael?” Arach asked.
I blinked as I thought it over, and then my eyes widened with epiphany.
“Samael,” I whispered. “Sweet sugar cookies! Why didn't we think of him?”
“Sometimes you need an outside perspective to see a situation clearly,” Arach said wisely.
“You're a very smart dragon,” I said softly.
“Thank you.” Arach lifted his chin.
“I don't care what anyone says,” I added, just to tease him.
Arach blinked, turned to me sharply, and asked, “What does that mean?”
“It was a joke.” I kissed his cheek affectionately. “A human one.”
“Ah.” He smiled indulgently. “As you were, then.”
“Aye, aye, Capt'n!” I saluted him.
Arach went back to frowning.
“Never mind,” I said. “Thanks for the suggestion; I think I'll head back tomorrow morning to let them know.”
“Tomorrow?” He huffed. “You've just returned.”
“I want to tell Az while it's still fresh in my mind,” I explained. “If I wait, it will eat at me.”
“And I should be the only thing eating at you when you're in Faerie,” he lowered his voice to say.
“Just so,” I agreed. “Besides, you won't miss me; I'll be gone for all of two seconds.”
“I know.” He sighed. “But those two seconds could change my life.”
“Arach, we have an agreement, remember?” I touched his Ring of Remembrance—the one that used to belong to the late Queen Aalish. “I won't go to war without talking to you first.”
“Or without giving me the option of attending.” He nodded. “But battle isn't the only thing that could take you from me.”
“My darling dragon,” I said gently, “even death wasn't able to separate us.”
Arach's eyes glistened as he pulled me into a tight hug.
“We have our daughter to thank for that,” he whispered into my hair. “A daughter we should think about conceiving soon.”
I stiffened.
“Vervain.” Arach sighed and eased back. “I know that you have other babies to bear, but Samara is important. Without her, we lose you, and without you, there will be no other children anyway.”
“The future is already altered, Arach,” I pointed out. “And I don't want to risk changing the children too. Samara is supposed to be my fifth pregnancy. I've only had two so far, and Lesya was already born out of order. That was pushing things. Vero needs to come next, and then Azrael's sons. I'm sorry, but Sam has to wait her turn.”
“Sam,” Arach whispered with a smile. “You have a nickname for our unborn child.”
“Does that really surprise you?” I lifted a brow at him.
“Not in the least, A Thaisce,” he said and then kissed my forehead. “Not in the least.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
After a lovely evening with my family, and a sexy night with my dragon-sidhe husband, I went to sleep thinking I'd pass right out. Instead, I tossed and turned; something just didn't sit right with me. Finally, I flipped over and saw Brevyn standing by the bed. I flinched and then sat up.
“Brev, is everything okay?” I whispered.
“Mommy, I need to tell you something,” he said grimly.
“Okay.” I got out of bed and walked him out of the room so we wouldn't wake Arach. When we were out in the hallway, I asked, “What is it?”
“I've had a strange dream,” he said; his eyes going Ull again. “And I think it's more than a dream.”
“Is it a prophecy?” I couldn't help shivering; I hated prophecies.
“I don't think so.” Brevyn frowned. “This feels... more like a warning. Mommy, can a castle warn people?”
“Can a castle warn people?” I blinked in surprise. “I don't know; maybe if it's a magic castle. Is it our castle that's warning you of something?”
“No; another castle,” he said solemnly. “It's more than a castle, but I don't know what else to call it. There are a lot of castles all together.”
“A lot of castles?” I asked as the shivers returned. “Where are these castles, baby? Are they in Faerie?”
“I don't think so.” He frowned. “We've
