Salem held out his tentacle, but number three just zoomed straight past him, too impatient to wait. He was jet black andcute as hell.My name is Nyx,he said and waved his little tentacle hand.It means god of night.Then he looked up to Aurin,Is that right, Dadda?
Aurin nodded, and everyone swooned.
Dadda? He calls you Dadda?Ciaran asked.
Aurin nodded.I am Dadda, and Salem is Pappa.
And Ciaran had to blink back tears.
Fray shot Ciaran a look.You good, bro?
I’m fine, Ciaran said.They’re just... He shook his head and shrugged, gesturing to the three little ones.I wish Sawyer could see.
Tobin reached over and gave Ciaran a clap on the back.I’ll show him everything.
Aurin let a nervous breath.And our little godling number four, he said.Come on out, sweetheart.
And then, a very shy, very pretty little one came out of the cave and quickly hid behind Aurin’s arm, peeking out at everyone with big round eyes. A girl. She was a dark golden bronze colour with lighter speckles; she was a beautiful metallic mix of Aurin’s gold and Salem’s black, and she had odd-coloured eyes. One gold, one black.
Ciaran’s hearts melted.
Everyone,Salem said,We’d like you to meet Áine. Her name is Celtic, and it means radiance. Áine was the goddess of sun and light, and the queen of the faerie.
Everyone was stunned, silent, and in complete and utter awe. The Cove was filled with so much love. And Ciaran couldn’t stop the tears. He tried to hold it in, but a sob escaped.
Everyone looked at him, and all he could do was shake his head.I don’t know what to say. I love them. I will protect them with my life.
Dylan was nodding, teary, too, and Hendrix held him close. Kellan put his arms around them both. Pania pressed twotentacles to her face, her eyes heart-shaped, and all Ciaran could think about was Sawyer.
I would fucking die for them, Fray exclaimed loudly.
Then little Nyx looked up at Aurin with big curious eyes.Dadda, what does fucking mean?
Everyone burst out laughing, and Otis clipped Fray up the back of the mantle.No more swearing in front of little ears.
Ciaran laughed through his tears, swept forward to give Aurin and Salem a hug, and then he—very, very gently—shook the hands of each little one.I am so very pleased to meet you.
Then he stood back as everyone else hugged and introduced themselves, watching his consortium thrive in familial love and friendship. It made his hearts swell impossibly, and yet... it wasn’t complete.
Come on, Tobin said, surprising Ciaran out of his sorrow.Let’s go. I’ll show him right now.
They went up to the surface, leaving behind the chatter and laughter, and Sawyer met them on the jetty. “Oh thank god,” he said, helping Ciaran out of the water. He handed him a towel and then gave one to Tobin. “Is everything okay? What did they want? Are the babies okay?”
“Here,” Tobin said, taking Sawyer’s hand.
And Ciaran watched as Sawyer’s eyes met his, impossibly big. He gasped, mouth open, and then his eyes got all watery and his chin wobbled. “Their names. Their little faces.”
“I know,” Ciaran said, trying to rein in his emotions. “I’m so sorry you can’t see them yourself. Sawyer, I...”
Sawyer grabbed Ciaran’s hand. “Hey. It’s okay. Don’t be sad. I can see, thanks to Tobin.” He gave Tobin a soft smile. “Thank you, so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Tobin said. “Did you see little Ukko? He sneezed himself into a sea urchin. Definitely Salem’s son.”
Sawyer nodded, half laughing, half crying. “Never in my life have I ever seen anything so cute. And Anya? Is that her name, the little girl? She has different coloured eyes; one of Aurin’s, one of Salem’s. How incredible.”
“Áine,” Ciaran corrected gently. “Sounds like Anya, though, but not quite. It’s an Irish name.”
“A girl,” Sawyer said, sniffling. Then he frowned at Ciaran. “You know, you say girl cephamorphs are rare, but I dunno, because you have two in your consortium, so...”
