Page 38 of Draevan

The baby looked up at her with an innocent expression, despite the fact that there was also yogurt smeared across her cheeks, her chin, and even one of her ears.

“Mama Cora!” Meela exclaimed cheerfully.

Cora laughed. “What is it, darling?”

“Yogurt!”

“I can see that.”

Meela laughed and promptly plunged both hands back into her bowl.

Cora shook her head, smiling.

A moment later, Draevan appeared in the kitchen doorway. He walked in and his gaze immediately found Cora. He crossed the room, leaned down, and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head.

“How is your arm?”

“Perfectly fine.”

He gently took her forearm in his hands and examined the place where the tracker had been. Then he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss there. After peering at her arm one last time, as though to make sure there really wasn’t a mark left, he finally released her.

A loud giggle came from the highchair.

Both of them looked over.

Meela was watching them with bright, happy eyes. “Mama Cora, Daddy Draevan, I want to see the birds!”

Cora and Draevan exchanged a joyful look. They both loved when she called them Mama Cora and Daddy Draevan. They’d never prompted her to call either of them Mama or Daddy, but she’d started doing it on her own recently, always adding their name after the title. Cora thought it was utterly sweet.

“Well,” Draevan said, “I suppose we can take you into the backyard to see the birds. But first, we need to get you all cleaned up.”

They worked together to clean the baby up. It took multiple washcloths to wipe all the strawberry yogurt off her. Once the task was accomplished, they walked her outside, each holding one of her hands as they patiently waited for her to take small, gradual steps.

The morning air was cool and fresh, filled with the sounds of insects buzzing, birds chirping, and other random animal noises from the forest that bordered their backyard. As they approached the bird-feeding station, Meela tore her hands from theirs and ventured off on her own, tottering along, occasionally losing her balance, but staying upright more often than not.

“Birdies!” Meela called, pointing at the colorful birds that were flitting about as they enjoyed the seed Draevan placed in the feeders each day. The little girl began chattering to the birds in a mix of Vaxxlian and Galactic Common, apparently convinced that they could understand every word she said.

Draevan slipped an arm around Cora’s waist and pulled her close. She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. The sunlight warmed her face, and the fresh, floral scent of the blooming flowers filled her lungs with each breath she took.

This is where I truly belong, she thought.

A huge smile overtook her face as she pulled back and gazed up at Draevan.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Nothing. I’m just happy.”

He returned her smile. “So am I.”

He pulled her closer, and she wrapped both arms around him, soaking up his warmth and his strength, reveling in his comforting presence. Safe. She always felt so safe when she was with him.

Safe and loved.

Together, they continued watching Meela chatter to the birds.

Draevan leaned down, bringing his lips to her ear. “I love you, my sweet mate,” he whispered.

Her heart did a little dance. “And I love you.”