as he should, tux and all.
When he came to the head of the grand staircase, the votives that had been lined up on either side all the way down glowed and flickered. There were more below in the foyer: on the mantelpieces, on the floor, mounted up and around the archways that led into the other rooms.
"You look good, son."
Qhuinn turned and glanced over his shoulder. "Hey, m'lord."
Wrath came out of the study with his queen on one arm, and his dog on the other side. "I don't need my eyes to tell me you do the penguin duds justice."
"Thanks for letting me do this."
Wrath smiled, flashing those huge white fangs. Tugging his female in for a quick kiss, he laughed. "I'm a fucking romantic at heart, don't you know that."
Beth laughed and reached out to squeeze Qhuinn's arm. "Good luck - but you don't need it."
He wasn't so sure about that. In fact, as he let the First Family go down alone, he struggled to pull his shit together. Rubbing his face, he wondered why in the hell he'd thought this was a good idea -
Do not be a pussy, he told himself.
Starting on the descent, he pulled the two halves of the jacket together and buttoned them. Just like a gentlemale should.
He was halfway down when the vestibule's inner door opened wide, the draft causing all the votives to shimmer.
Qhuinn stopped as Fritz escorted two figures in, the pair of them stamping their feet to warm up. On cue, both looked over at him.
Blay's parents were dressed formally, his father in a tuxedo, his mother in the most beautiful blue velvet gown Qhuinn had ever seen.
"Qhuinn!" she called out, picking up her skirting and rushing across the mosaic floor. "Look at you!"
Feeling his cheeks burn, he ducked his head and shuffled down to her. Even though she was a whole foot shorter, even in her heels, he felt about twelve as she took his hands and held them out wide.
"Oh, you are the most handsome thing I've ever seen!"
"Thanks." He cleared his throat. "I, ah, wanted to look nice."
"You do! Doesn't he, my hellren?"
Blay's father came over and stuck out his hand. "Well done, son."
"It's a Ford. Thingy." God, way to sound stupid. "Or something."
As he and Blay's father shook, and then embraced, Blay's dad said, "I couldn't be happier for you both."
Blay's mom started sniffling and took out a white handkerchief. "This is so wonderful. I have another son - two sons! Come here, I have to hug you. Two sons!"
Qhuinn gave in immediately, as he was categorically incapable of denying the female anything - most certainly not one of her hugs. They were even better than her lasagna.
God, he loved Blay's parents. He and Blay had gone to see them a couple of nights after they'd decided to make a go of it, and although Qhuinn had been pants-shitting terrified, the pair of them had been nothing but gracious, relaxed, and...normal.
But Blay hadn't been aware of the visit Qhuinn had paid the night before, just after nightfall, before they'd hit the club....
As Qhuinn eased back, he caught sight of Layla standing just outside the dining room. Motioning her over, he put his arm around her shoulders, because he could tell she was feeling awkward.
"This is the Chosen Layla."
"Just Layla," she murmured as she extended her hand.
In response, Blay's father bowed deeply, and his mother curtsied.
"Please, that's not necessary," the Chosen started, only to relax when the couple immediately dropped the formality.
"My dear, Qhuinn has told us the blessed news." Blay's mahmen beamed. "How ever are you feeling?"
Score number two for Blay's 'rents. Qhuinn couldn't believe how cool they'd been when he'd shared the news of the pregnancy - and they were just as easygoing as ever as they put Layla at ease.
Man, they had been like this for as long as Qhuinn had known them, uncontaminated by all the glymera's bullshit, unconcerned by the judgment of the aristocracy, ready to do the right thing at the drop of a hat.
No wonder Blay had come out so well....
"He's heading over," V yelled from the pitch-black of the billiards room. "We've got to scatter, people - right now."
"Come with us," Blay's mahmen said as she tucked Layla's arm into her own. "You need to make sure we don't hit any furniture."
As they headed off, Layla glanced over her shoulder and beamed. "I'm so excited for you!"
Qhuinn smiled back. "Thanks."
Cue a moment of nausea, he thought, as he