Anytime. Oh,Tobin said.Otis is on his way down. I asked him to bring some rocks, and he chose big.
Then, with a loud splash at the surface, the boulder in question sank to the bottom like a... Well, like a huge freaking boulder. Pania’s smaller boulder followed, then Otis and Pania rocketed down after them.
They watched as Otis picked up the boulder and headed toward them.Where do you want them?
Over here,Tobin said. He noticed Kellan’s questioning eyes, so he explained.We’re gonna build a small cave for them to hide in. Aurin needs to feel safe, and Salem can’t relax either. At least with a little hidey hole, they can rest.
Oh, that’s...,Salem began, a little choked up.That’s incredibly thoughtful. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Tobin replied.Like I said before, we’ll all do whatever it takes.
Aurin didn’t seem to even notice. He was too busy devouring the frozen fish fillet. It was really fucking gross, but Aurin was just so ridiculously cute, Tobin couldn’t help but laugh. Aurin’s big eyes, happy little smile, and chubby cheeks as he shoved in tiny morsels with every spare tentacle. People apparently ate all kinds of weird stuff during pregnancy, so this was no different, Tobin reasoned.
Then Aurin offered a torn chunk of frozen fish to Salem.Uh, no, thank you, Salem said, looking at the food as if it personally offended him...
Until Aurin’s little smile died and his eyes got all sad and he let out a tiny sad meep sound, and Salem panicked.Oh no, no, he said quickly, tentacles trying to sooth Aurin.Don’t cry. I only said no because I want you to eat it all. You need to eat, my love?—
Aurin offered him another chunk, and Salem, like the good, brave soul he was, smiled as he took it. Okay, so it was more of a grimace but Aurin didn’t seem to notice. Salem put it in his mouth and chewed, only able to half mask the horror.Mmm, he hummed, still trying to smile at Aurin. It took him a few attempts at swallowing without gagging.
Aurin did a little happy wiggle as he went back to shoving more in his mouth, and Salem glared at Tobin, Hendrix, Dylan, and Kellan, who were all trying really hard not to laugh.
Fray, on the other hand, laughed without shame.
Okay, we’ll be back,Tobin said, taking Fray’s arm just as Pania dropped her rock next to Otis’s, and the four of them went up to the surface together.
Chapter
Nine
SAWYER
Sawyer was excitedto see Cern. After all, Cern had saved Salem, and he’d looked after Aurin for a good number of days. He’d known about Lusca, and he knew Hadeom. They had ties to each other now, and Sawyer was hopeful of finally getting some answers. He wanted to know about it all.
Of course Cern would give nothing away.
“Thought I could expect a visit,” he said, ambling out of his small house. He was so vastly different in his full human form than the hooved and horned version Salem had shown Tobin. That version was regal and majestic.
Human Cern was old and frail. Sawyer had to wonder if it was an act, or if age really did hinder his human form.
“You know, I told Aurin that honey mead was potent stuff,” Cern added. He took his unlit pipe from his mouth and gave them a smirk. “Probably should have warned them about the other stuff.”
“You mean the fertility ritual and procreation,” Ciaran prompted.
Cern smiled. “Something like that.”
Sawyer didn’t take his flippancy very well.
They had serious concerns for Aurin, and Salem as well, and Cern was smirking?
Sawyer let Ciaran take the lead while he tried to rein in his annoyance, but damn, he just got more annoyed and was quickly toeing the line of pissed off.
He was pissed off at Cern for being secretive. He was pissed off that Cern couldn’t help them with information, with guidance.
How long could they expect gestation to last?
He didn’t know.
What complications could Aurin expect?
