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“Orrin!” Closing her book, his mother set on the small end table and rose gracefully to her feet. “Come here, my baby. Let me look at you.”
With a warm, beautiful smile, she glided toward him, her arms outstretched. When she was close enough, she captured his face between her hands and pushed up on her toes to kiss his cheek.
“Mother, I am nearly two-hundred years old.”
“Yes, and even when you are two thousand, you will still be my baby.”
He hoped she still felt that way after she heard what he had to say.
“Did you enjoy the festival?” King Corson came to stand beside his mate with an arm wrapped casually around her waist. “Was there any trouble?”
He supposed that would depend on how his father defined “trouble.” Being kidnapped, knocked unconscious, and used as a bargaining chip for a flock of Keres probably fell under that heading. His parents didn’t need to know that.
“The festival was wonderful.” He wouldn’t outright lie, but that didn’t mean he had to volunteer unpleasant truths. “Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet my mate, Erus.”
“Mate?” His mother pressed her fingers to her lips as she studied Erus with a critical eye. “Oh, my. He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?”
“Mother!”
Beside her, the king chuckled. “Congratulations. That must have been one hell of a party.” He extended his right hand toward Erus. “Welcome.”
They shook briefly, and Erus bowed his head. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“No need for formalities. We’re family now. You can call me Corson or Dad. Whichever you’re comfortable with.”
“I…that’s…”
Orrin had never seen his mate appear anything but confident, often bordering on arrogant. Right then, however, he looked completely lost.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I just…I’ve never had a dad before.”
Clearly, there must have been a male involved in his creation, but Orrin understood what he meant.
“My goodness,” his mother exclaimed as she squeezed Erus’ bicep.
“Mother!” He had never seen the female act in such a manner, he didn’t know whether he wanted to laugh or die of embarrassment.
“Mom, I think you should stop before Orrin has an aneurysm.” Iliana took their mother’s wrist and gently removed her hand from Erus’ arm.
“It’s alright,” Erus assured them both. “I don’t mind.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Would you care to run away with me?”
The queen giggled like a schoolgirl, and Orrin decided death would be far less painful. “Oh, my fae! Stop flirting with my mother!”
“You told me to be charming.”
“Yes, but not that charming. That’s too much. Put some charming back.”
“You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
Orrin huffed and elbowed his mate in the stomach. All he succeeded in doing, however, was hurting himself. Erus didn’t even have the decency to pretend to flinch.
Rubbing his abused elbow, he tried to regain his composure so he could prepare for what came next. His parents had reacted better than he had anticipated so far, but he was still nervous to face their disapproval.
“It’s going to be okay, asteraki.” Erus took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Give them a chance.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I have something to tell you.”
