The Rebel Queen (Outlaw #1) - Lexi Blake Page 0,46
we plan the job. I’m sure Granddad will have lots to say, too. For a dead dude, he does not stint on the advice.”
Evan stood and went to Lee, her hand going to his shoulder. “I’m happy for you, brother. But you should eat all your favorite foods because there’s no more Danishes for you after you go on the all-blood diet. And no more beer.”
That got Lee to frowning. “I hadn’t thought of that. Huh. I should do all the drugs before I die. I’ve got a list. I was waiting to try them when I was super old, but I should start now.”
Rhys’s head fell back. “I knew this would happen. Lee is already a ball of chaos. I don’t see how giving him fangs and claws is going to help things.”
They were off, all three siblings arguing playfully. Fen was the only quiet one, his eyes on Evan.
I knew we’d made the right decision to tell Lee, but I still hated the fact that we were discussing the end of his human life. He would spend an eternity without the sun.
I could fix it. I could find a way to go back and we would have his whole childhood to ease him into this, to make being human and having a family seem more…
I didn’t know what I was thinking. I wasn’t even really thinking of Lee in that moment. I was thinking of what I’d lost. What we’d lost as a family.
Still, I had to admit, they were close. We’d done something right. Our children loved each other. Though they were planning one of their deaths and having fun with it.
“It’s going to be okay, my goddess.” Dev leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I know you’re worried, but you must eat. Do you remember what happened when you didn’t?”
Danny stood up. “I do. I had a fainting spell, and Devinshea has never let me live it down. Rhys, be prepared to grow some potatoes because your mother craves them when she’s pregnant. Goddess, I hope there’s plenty of butter here.”
“And cheese.” I wouldn’t need it. I meant to be back in the right timeline before this baby was born. I would have Albert prepare all those potatoes in our kitchen in the penthouse. Where we belonged.
Would this baby be born at all if I played around with the timeline? Did it matter if I brought her into this world where she would be hunted? How did I weigh one child against another? What did I owe each of them?
Danny was at the buffet loading it up with pretty much everything I loved. Normally.
Rhys smiled as he looked over at me. “The trolls here make the best butter. Apparently the cows are enchanted. I think you’ll be perfectly comfortable here, Mom.”
Fen stood, leaving his half-eaten plate behind. “I can assure you the cheese is great, too. I’m going to check on my mom. We’re supposed to leave soon. Evan, given what we’ve learned, if you would rather stay with Lee, I understand. Eddie and Casey are coming with us so Mom and I will be okay.”
Fen walked out and Evan’s jaw dropped.
“What the hell was that about?” Evan walked to the door.
“Is he mad because I’m a vamp?” Lee suddenly looked worried.
“I don’t think so.” I suspected it had to do with being reminded of Evan’s life expectancy and how little he could do about it. It was likely something he didn’t think about at all. Fen was young, and despite the circumstances of the last few years, there was privilege that came with being the biggest, strongest wolf on the plane. He didn’t worry about death. “Evan, maybe you should talk to him, but don’t leave without seeing me. You’re going to start taking your father’s blood.”
Evan stopped, her eyes going wide. “I’m going to… You know we dose on vamp blood before we go on a mission. We’re not careless. Sasha would never send us out without vampire blood in our systems.”
“My blood is different than Sasha or the academics.” Danny put the plate in front of me. “Even a little of my blood can slow your aging process and make you stronger than you are now. You should take some every day. You can put it in coffee or tea. If you think it’s going to bother Fen, then I’ll talk to him.”
“I think Fen was reminded that he can’t give her what a vampire can,” Dev said.