“She started it.”
Seraphina turned to Maxis. “Would you do something?”
“Like what?”
“Talk to them? What did you do when your brothers fought?”
He shrugged. “Let them. They usually stopped once the bleeding got bad.”
Hadyn laughed. Edena looked horrified.
Laughing, Max brushed past Sera so that he could finally get a look at his children. It was such a strange feeling to be with strangers that were his. Yet a part of him knew it. Could sense it.
“May I hug you?” he asked Edena.
Tears glistened in her eyes before she threw herself against him. Hadyn returned to being human so that he could launch himself against Max’s back and wedge him between them.
Seraphina couldn’t breathe as she watched them. In that moment, she truly hated herself for what she’d done. Tears blurred her vision as she watched her children with the father who should never have been a stranger to them.
As if sensing her sadness, Maxis reached his hand out to her and pulled her into their embrace. She took his hand and allowed them to swallow her with their cocoon.
Until Hadyn protested that his ribs hurt. Stepping back, he returned to being a dragon.
Maxis smiled at Edena, then Hadyn, before he turned to Blaise. “Can I ask a favor?”
“Of course.”
“The gallu aren’t going to stop and neither will the two packs coming for me. This is a blood feud that is centuries old. I need my children where they can’t reach them.”
“You want me to take them to Avalon?”
“Please. It’s the one place I know is beyond their reach.”
Hadyn and Edena immediately protested.
Seraphina wanted to argue, too, but she knew Maxis was right. This was the only way to keep them safe. They’d already been punished by the gods for her actions. She didn’t want them in the line of fire again. “He’s right. It’s just for a few days. I promise. Go with your uncle and we’ll get you soon.”
As Blaise started to leave, Max stopped him. “Tell Merlin not to worry. I have not forgotten my oath or my duties. Should I fall, guardianship will go to Falcyn and then to you.”
He arched a brow. “Not to Hadyn?”
Max shook his head. “I would never do that to him. The curse of it’s too strong.”
“So you give it to us. Thanks, brother.”
Max laughed. “Getting you both back for all the years of hell you’ve given me.”
Blaise sobered. “I’ll tell her. You be careful.”
“And you.” He kissed Edena’s cheek and hugged Hadyn one more time.
It took Seraphina longer to say good-bye. With the exception of Nala taking them, they’d never been separated before. “I will come for you very soon. I love you both.”
“Love you.” Edena kissed her cheek.
Hadyn hugged and kissed her. “Love you, Matera.”
“I love you. Guard your sister.”