Haven (26 page)

Thinking of his brother’s office made her think of the huge
landscape he had behind his desk. She had an idea. “You know what? Now that the
danger is past, we should go to Chuita and hang out on the beach for a week or
so.”

“I haven’t been on the Cagyn realm in a few years. That sounds
amazing.”

She sat up, excited with his agreement. “We can take our bonding
period there, like a human honeymoon. No comms, just us, black sand and
beautiful sunsets.”

“Hmm, no comms.” He looked into her eyes, a small smile playing
along his lips. “Let me talk to Xavier first, but I think it’s a great idea.

“We can get to know each other, pretend the shitty aspects of
our family don’t exist.” She turned around and settled into his chest. She
wrapped his arm around her.

“That sounds perfect.” He rubbed the top of her head with his
cheek. “Have I told you how happy I am with our mating?”

Her breath hitched. “Despite my initial misgivings, I couldn’t
be happier.”

“We’ll make it work, yes? We won’t be like our parents.” His
wistful tone brought tears to her eyes.

Unable to speak past the lump in her throat she could only nod
her head.

“There’s so much in this world we have no control over. We can
control ourselves, though and how we treat each other.” He turned her to face
him, more water sloshing over the edge. “I swear to treat you with respect, to
hold you and our children above all else, even my job.”

She gasped at his declaration. She knew how much he loved the
Amanda. She straddled his lap and cupped his cheeks. “I swear to treat you with
respect and to love you and our children until the last breath leaves my body.”

He closed the distance between them, sealing their vow with a
gentle kiss. “I love you.”

Tears flowed freely down her face. “I love you too.”

***

Six months later

“IF YOU TELL ME TO BE PATIENT one more time, I’m going to choke
you.” Liliana growled and threw a small pillow at Leo.

He laughed and ducked the projectile. He wagged his finger.
“What happened to respecting your mate?”

They were seated in the middle of their living room on pillows.
Lit candles encircled them, the soothing smells, supposedly helping them
concentrate. From the disgruntled look on his mate’s face, he assumed it wasn’t
working. They’d been attempting for the last hour to bond with their son, and
Lily had reached her quota for patience close to thirty minutes ago.

“Why is it easier for you to bond with him?” She pouted and
threw another pillow at him. “I’m the one carrying this energy leech.”

He snickered and ducked the next pillow sent flying. “What did
the Kira say? He would feel your tension and run the other way.”

“Being referred to as an energy leech can’t possibly be helping.”
Fallon remarked dryly, entering their apartment without knocking. He carried a
tray, no doubt from the kitchens.

 Liliana adjusted to life at Haven as though she were born
there. It had taken her no time to get to know the giant staff if took to run
the place. She knew nearly all of their names, going out of her way to help
wherever she was needed. Everyone who came into contact with Liliana, loved
her. A well placed smile, and his mate could get anything she wanted within the
walls of Haven.  He knew now how she’d survived on Adro all those years alone.
Lily talked to people, all types of people, all with the respect she gave to
royalty.

She still nurtured the contacts she’d made while she was on the
run, much to his chagrin. Whether it be supplies, information or just a
listening ear, it became known that Liliana could find it and get it. Soon
there was a line outside their door of people asking her for help. She’d
appointed herself their advocate and had moved into an office on the ground
level of Haven. She borrowed furniture from other empty offices, and hired an
assistant all within a week of them getting back from their honeymoon. That
she’d accomplished it all without asking Xavier’s permission amused the whole
complex. For the first month they’d all held their breaths waiting for him to
go off on her. Instead he’d surprised everyone by having the personnel files
sent down to her office. He took it a step further and converted the office
next to her into a nursery for when his nephew was born.

She was spoiled. That was all there was to it.

Fallon set the tray full of pastries on the dining room table.
“You’re so impatient, Trouble.” He walked over to his sister in law and touched
her stomach as she stood. The barely there mound moved under his hand.

She slapped his hand away. “I hate you guys.”

“She’s grumpy, Fallon. Seems our son already favors me.” Leo
handed her a cookie from the tray, knowing the sweet treat would improve her
mood. She desperately wanted to connect with their child, but the stubborn
bugger was steadily ignoring his mother’s efforts.

“It’s not fair.” She whined, chomping on the cookie.

“
Ina,
you have time. There’s still six months left of
your pregnancy, you two will bond.” He gathered her in his arms.

She snuggled into his chest, sighing in frustration. All was
right in his world, as far as he was concerned. He and Liliana were settling
into a rhythm with their mating. Sharine and he had finally sat and had a
conversation. There was still a distance between them, but they were working on
it. His mother and Liliana got along now that a grandchild was on the way.
Where she’d been scarce during his childhood, every time he turned around he
bumped into Sharine. ‘Just checking on, Lily’ she would say. He was glad the
two of them were getting along.

Every time he thought about his father’s lies he got angry. He
hadn’t spoken to him in months, despite his father’s pleas.  He needed time to
work through it. Ranolph had taken residence in Haven to help Xavier with
locating the remaining Kokoro soul, so he saw his father regularly. Eventually
he would forgive him…he hoped.

Liliana tapped his nose. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I have no complaints.” He kissed her, angling his head
to deepen it.

Fallon groaned. “You two are too much for me.”

“No one invited you into our room.” Leo quipped.

“I brought your mate sweets, and this is how you treat me?”
Fallon put his palm over his heart.

Liliana shook her head at them. “I can’t wait until you’re mated
Fallon. I’m going to wait until you’re looking deep into her eyes, and
unbuttoning her blouse…then I’ll bust into your room just to chat.”

Leo caught the longing in his brother’s eyes a moment before he
hid it behind a smile. It was interesting. He hadn’t realized Fallon was in the
market for a mate.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.” Fallon pointed a finger at
him.

He held up his hands. “I’m not thinking about anything.”
Except…well, he knew a few single women that may be just the right fit for
Fallon.

“I’m down with whatever plan you’re cooking in that mind of
yours.” Liliana kissed the hollow of his throat and left him to pick through
the tray Fallon brought with him.

He didn’t have a concrete plan as yet. He smiled at his mate,
but the beginnings of an idea began to take shape in his mind. His brothers
deserved the same happiness he’d found. Perhaps he would just help things
along.

What could be the harm in that?

The END