Chapter 5 #2
It was Cosmo who stepped in between them.
“Hey, guys. Mom. You don’t get to pick. It sucks to be you, but you got to choose a dragon.
You did your thing. You don’t get to say whether or not Evander and Corbin do the deed.
So be nice. Otherwise, when they have babies, you’re never going to get to see them, and that would suck. ”
“You approve of this?” she demanded. “Both of you?”
“Well, it doesn’t really matter if we approve of it or not, Mom.
” Cullen shrugged, little question marks exploding around him.
“I mean, seriously. Corbin gets to pick his mate, that’s how this works.
You choose your mate; your mom doesn’t choose him for you.
Maybe that happens in the fae world; we don’t know because we’re kind of on the outside of it.
It’s been a while, but you know I have a unicorn. ”
“I have a dragon. A big old dragon. And all the kids have met Evander. He saved Tisi. Saved him!”
“And regardless, I love him, and I choose him. You don’t have to approve.”
Corbin could feel little tingles of magic beginning to build inside of her, and he tilted his head because this wasn’t her place. This was their place, their home, their lives. Their families. And he was not going to allow this nonsense to—
Evander held up one hand, and there were claws on the end. Just little ones. “No.”
Then suddenly she was gone. She hadn’t gone far. The window was open. He could see her out in the sunlight screaming her full head off, but she wasn’t in here.
And she won’t be until you choose it, mate.
Thank you. He couldn’t believe Evander had just done that. Not because he was offended or anything, but because he hadn’t known that Evander was that powerful. And wow, just wholeheartedly wow.
You’re very welcome, and I’m sorry. She does not care for me, and that makes her unhappy with you.
Our two factions among the Seelie Court are considered diametrically opposed.
The Flower Mound people consider us barbaric.
Evander smiled just slightly, his horns shrinking down a little.
But this way she has the opportunity to miss you.
And remember that she is not the only voice this world needs to hear.
“Yeah, that’s always a good thing.” Cullen said that out loud, winking to show that he had heard them and that he was trying not to let them overhear any more of their conversation.
“Right?” Cosmo raised one shoulder in a diffident shrug. “I know she loves us, but she’s always trying to run things for us.”
Corbin peeked out the window, and his lips quirked in a little grin. “She is really mad out there, isn’t she?”
A thud sounded, and their father landed next to their mother, his big dragon body shrinking down into a more manageable human form. He could see the conversation his parents were having, but he tuned out from their mental vibes so that he didn’t have to listen in.
“Dad looks agitated,” Cosmo murmured.
“That’s because Mom’s hysterical.” Cullen crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. Little flowers danced around his head and torso in the air, starting out purple and turning black, withering, and falling to the floor.
Evander chuckled warmly. “Thank you to all of you for coming to my mate’s rescue. And that was quite an evocative image, Cullen.”
Cullen waved a hand in the air. “I thought it was one of my best. Looks like you guys have it under control there. Since it’s gonna be a while until Mom can come back in the house, I’m gonna head off and see my mate and make sure he’s got the whole kid thing under control.
” Cullen scurried out, giving Cosmo a look.
Cosmo nodded, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, I have a thing I need to go do. I should go do that thing. You guys, you don’t need us. You’re doing great.” He left too.
Evander stepped right up into his personal space. “Did I do the wrong thing? Removing your mother? She struck you.”
“No, you did exactly the right thing. She needs to learn that that kind of behavior is not acceptable, at least not in my house.” The ache in his heart actually hurt worse than the one in his cheek. Mom had delicate hands, but the fact that she would do that… it really hurt.
Evander reached up to touch his cheek, stroking the little spot where his mom had left a stinging slap.
“I’m sorry, my love. Family can be difficult.
I’m not sure mine would be any better right now, especially as long as I’ve been gone.
But to be fair, they did send me out to perform this task, and they knew I might not return. ”
“Ouch. That’s as bad as my mom telling me to fae up and not hook up with you.”
Evander inclined his head. “It’s difficult when your family sacrifices you on the altar of clan politics. But I love you too. I have no intention of going anywhere.”
He reached up to hold on to Corbin’s wrist, keeping that hand against his skin. “I appreciate it,” he said. “I just wish things were easier. I would love to take you out into the fae world and fly with you.”
Cullen’s voice came to him then. Orion says if nothing else, you can go to the Glade. He is confident that Evander will not harm anyone.
“Your brother and his mate honor me.” Evander kissed his mouth. “I would love to see you fly.”
Orion appeared in front of them. “Then that’s what you’ll do. But you have to come to my part of the house.”
Corbin blinked. “Hey, Orion.”
The pale unicorn’s cheeks turned pink and he grinned. “Sorry to just pop in. Did you want to go now?”
Corbin looked at Evander, who looked back at him, and they both smiled at each other. “Do you want to get out of this house for a little bit? Go do something outside?”
Evander took a deep, almost shaky breath. “I do love to be in the forest, lethean.”
Yeah, this was going to become a thing. They were going to have to fix this nonsense with Mom and Evander’s family and all this bullshit so they could just go to the Land of Summer.
But first? The Glade. “Thanks, Orion. We’d love to. Let’s go.”