I sighed and relaxed against his broad chest. “I don't have to mourn, I'm getting him back.”
“I know,” Trevor murmured. Then he lifted his head to growl, “Now, everyone shut up. I'm looking forward to getting a good night's sleep for the first time in what seems like forever.”
The other men mumbled in agreement, and we all let out a relieved breath together. That's when I realized that Viper was already asleep. I smiled and stroked his sharp cheekbone. He was going to do just fine here. And with that thought, I was finally able to relax as well. I nestled down between my alpha and my newest lover with my purring cat on my chest and closed my eyes. Trevor wasn't the only one looking forward to some peaceful dreams.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Viper and I woke to the scent of breakfast. My husbands were already out of bed, cooking in our kitchenette, off to the left. I waited anxiously for Viper to say something, to give me some kind of sign that the lioness magic had done its thing and eased any feelings of jealousy or anxiety he might be having. Then he smiled, and I knew it had worked.
We got dressed and had breakfast with my husbands and children, Viper sliding into my family as if he had always been there. After we'd all been fed, I led him out onto the balcony to break the news that I'd be returning to Faerie with Arach and my boys.
“You're leaving?” Viper gaped at me.
“You won't have time to miss me,” I promised. “Remember how I told you about visiting the future?”
“Yes,” Viper said warily.
“My fey father left me a ring of remembrance. It's a faerie charm that was created to allow Faeries to relive moments in their past that they may have forgotten. They're immortal like Gods. Well, not exactly like Gods; they don't need anything to sustain them.”
“Really?” He lifted a dark brow. “They just live forever?”
“Unless someone kills them, yes.” I looked away, memories of a Faerie war rising to haunt me.
“Vervain, are you all right?” Viper took my hand.
“I'm fine.” I smiled brightly at him. “Anyway, if I use the ring as it was made to be used, I'd return to a time I had already experienced and would simply relive it. I wouldn't be able to function freely. It would be like living in a movie with my lines and action already scripted. But each realm has its own timeline so if I travel to a realm and a time that I haven't lived through already, I can experience it fresh.”
“You use the ring to jump back and forth between the realms,” he whispered in revelation. “You cheat time.”
I nodded. “And that way, none of you ever has to be separated from me for long. I can raise my children without them feeling my absence. I'll go to Faerie with Arach and my boys, stay awhile, and then return to this realm a few seconds after I leave it.”
Viper smiled in relief. “I think I can handle being without you for a few seconds.”
“Good. Because you're not the only one who has to say goodbye to her,” Trevor announced as he joined us on the balcony with Vero in his arms. “Her son has missed his mother.”
“Just my son, eh?” I smirked at Trevor as I took Vero from him.
The baby gurgled up at me and shook his fists as if he knew it was all my fault that I'd been gone so long.
“Hey, now,” I chided softly as I nuzzled Vero's cheek. “I thought we discussed this? Mommy was sick but now, I'm better. Okay? Where's the happy baby I came home to yesterday?”
Vero made a deep huffing sound and settled against my chest.
“I'm going to feed Vero and then I'm going to see Toby. After that, I'll go with Arach to Faerie,” I said to the men as I headed into the stairwell on the right, through a door that led off from the balcony.
Trevor followed me, but Viper stayed behind and let us have some time alone. I took that as a sign that Viper would do well with the others. In my family, gracious sharing and respect of other people's space are a priority.
I went up to Vero's nursery, one floor above Lesya's. The nurseries were layered over the balcony, extending between the towers I'd made for my men. I went to sit in the rocker near the window, and Trevor joined me, taking the window bench. He watched avidly as I unbuttoned my blouse and set our son against my breast. When Vero latched on, Trevor sighed as if it were the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
“Are you all right, Honey-Eyes?” I asked with a frown.
“I thought I had lost you, Minn Elska,” he murmured. “I thought that we had lost you. That Vero would never be held by his mother again.” He stroked Vero's thick, dark curls. “And then the children did what your husbands couldn't.”
“My babies have a habit of saving me,” I said as I looked down at Vero adoringly.
“It's Ull,” Trevor whispered. “He decided to save you, and he hasn't stopped. He just keeps saving you. Look at the way he defended you yesterday.”
I blinked back the tears as I stared up at my wolf. “I know. I thought of that too. But Brevyn's not Ull anymore. Ull may have set himself up as my protector when he decided to save me, but when I put his soul into my body, he became my son. He's mine to protect now, not the other way around, and it's about time that we got that straight.”
“Minn Elska, I didn't say that to suggest that you weren't being a good mother. I said it because I think it's time to
