Mave said softly, reaching out to touch it. Senri slapped her hand away.
“You can touch it when it’s done, but until then, keep your dirty hands away from it.”
“I didn’t know you could sew,” Mave pointed out.
“Who do you think keeps repairing Kian’s armor?” Senri asked, tilting her head, expecting a very certain answer.
Mave grinned. “Gentrin.”
She got thumped for that answer.
“I don’t do many chores, but I’ve had a lot of free time recently,” her mother said with a huff. “Would you play a little music for me? I’m getting tired of the silence.”
Mave nodded, pulling out the small flute she still carried everywhere. It was her newer one, gifted to her a year earlier by Senri and her husbands when they adopted her. Mave played a soft tune she picked up from a female who came from Leria’s community. It wasn’t for anything specific as far as Mave knew, just soft and elegant.
“You’ll have to play that for your younger sibling when he or she is born,” Kian said quietly. “It’s a nice lullaby.”
Mave raised an eyebrow, curious about what he said but kept playing. He only nodded, confirming she had heard him right.
Mave kept playing, trying not to smile. They were quiet as she played and clapped softly as she finished the song. She stood and gave a mock bow to everyone listening, which was now everyone in the clearing, including Alchan, who stood at the bottom of his steps. She never knew him to like music, but he was smiling as she caught his eye.
One day, I’ll play for your children, too.
It would be great to become an aunt. If he had a hard time being a father, she could help. She would help, as well as her males, their friends.
Everyone settled back into what they were doing, but it wasn’t long before people began to head home. Luykas walked over to her and kissed her cheek.
“I’m going home to make a late dinner. Hopefully, it’ll still be hot by the time Bryn comes home.”
“I should get going, too,” Senri declared.
“Help her get home?” Mave inquired of her husband, who smiled then offered his arm to Senri. Senri looked between them, and Kian frowned, humorously insulted.
“Love, get my things,” Senri ordered, pointing to her sewing bag before walking with Luykas. Kian glared at Mave, who stuck her tongue out.
“I’m going in,” Alchan called out. “Don’t all of you stay out here and keep me up all night.”
Mave took that as a warning to head out as well. Rain and Lilliana were already inside. Emerian, Trevan, and Dave stood, brushing themselves off. The gryphon wasn’t around, so she decided to join them.
“Want to head back with me?” she asked. “You are walking, right? I don’t see Vahn around.”
“Yeah, we’re walking,” Trevan confirmed. “I don’t like bringing him over here. It makes people uncomfortable. A gryphon and an Elvasi right next to the king…”
“It’s a bad look,” she agreed. “Not that we think you would do anything.”
“Others might,” Trevan whispered. “But it’s fine. A good walk never hurt anyone, and I’ve been doing it my entire life.”
She chuckled. “What about you, Dave?”
“Vahn is nice, but sometimes, I get sick in the air,” the human grumbled. “I’m perfectly fine walking.”
“Dave!” she gasped. “You never told me you got airsick. Why didn’t you say sooner?”
“It’s not a big deal—”
At that moment, an Andinna came crashing into the clearing.
“I need to see the king,” he said loudly, looking around. “Champion, can you get the king?”
“What’s wrong?” she asked, walking quickly to the warrior. He wore the simple leather armor of a guard. He was sweating, panting as he grabbed her arm.
He must have flown a good distance and fast. He’s going to fall on his ass.
“Seanev’s campaign is back,” the guard said between hard breaths. She grabbed him under an elbow, helping him stay on his feet. “He’s back. We have him at the northwestern guard post.”
Before she could say anything, Emerian was on Alchan’s porch knocking for her. Brave male. Everyone knew Mave was the best person to get the king if it was an option, especially when it got late.
He is my nemari. It’s expected he’ll handle things for me. Alchan won’t hurt him.
Alchan burst out, making Emerian nearly stumble off the porch. Alchan grabbed the younger male by the arm and held him for a moment, then moved him to a safer place. He looked down at her, his amber eyes narrowing. Mave only pointed at the guard.