Chapter 274: Look at my two handsome husbands. So eager to take care of me

Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Look at my two handsome husbands. So eager to take care of me

"No!"

Kael blinked.

Sira grabbed Swanly’s clothing.

"Mama! Mine!"

Swanly stared.

Then burst out laughing.

"Oh, sweetheart. That’s your Papa!"

Sira frowned.

"Mine Mama!"

Eira nodded solemnly.

"Mine."

Soren’s mouth twitched.

Swanly looked at him.

"Don’t smile. You started this."

He raised one eyebrow.

"I did?"

"Yes. Both your daughters are little possessive snakes."

Eira lifted her chin.

"Snake."

Miko immediately shouted:

"AND WE’RE PANTHERS!"

Nilo sighed.

"We know, Miko."

Kairo nodded seriously.

"We’re stronger."

Eira turned toward him.

Hissed.

Kairo froze.

Miko slowly stepped backward.

"...Maybe not."

Swanly laughed so hard she had to hold her chest.

Immediately, Kael stopped smiling.

"Careful."

Soren’s hand settled against her back.

"Inside. Now."

Swanly sighed.

"Yes, yes. I’m going."

She looked over her shoulder.

"Thalara, come eat with us."

The ancient woman’s expression softened.

"I need to speak with Druun first. The damaged roots still need attention."

Swanly frowned.

"You’ve barely rested."

"I’ll return later."

Swanly studied her.

Then nodded.

"Promise?"

Thalara smiled faintly.

"Promise."

She looked at Soren.

Her expression became serious.

"We have something important to discuss tonight."

Soren’s eyes narrowed.

Thalara gave him a small nod.

Then left.

Swanly watched her go.

For one moment, the fear returned.

The Heart.

The blood.

The unknown creature.

But then Miko tugged at her hand.

"Mama!"

She looked down.

"What?"

"FOOD!"

Swanly smiled.

Right.

Food.

For now, she could at least have that.

Inside, Soren had prepared enough food to make Swanly want to cry.

A large clay pot of rich meat stew sat near the fire.

Tender pieces of roasted meat rested on a wooden tray.

There were cooked roots, soft rice Swanly had taken from her supplies, fresh fruit, and warm broth.

The children already had their little bowls arranged.

Swanly stared.

"Oh, baby."

Soren looked at her.

"What?"

She placed a hand against her chest.

"You’re trying to make me fall in love with you again."

He gave her a flat look.

"You are already my mate."

"And yet you continue seducing me with food."

Kael coughed into his hand.

Soren’s mouth twitched.

"Sit down."

Swanly obeyed.

For once.

Kael helped Kairo settle his injured arm comfortably before putting food in his bowl.

Nilo carefully arranged the smaller pieces of meat for Sira.

Miko was already reaching toward the roasted meat.

Kael caught his wrist.

"Wait."

Miko sighed dramatically.

"Everybody keeps saying that."

"Because you keep grabbing things."

"I’m hungry!"

"You ate fruit earlier."

"That was earlier!"

Swanly nodded solemnly.

"He has a point."

Kael looked at her.

Swanly smiled.

"I’m supporting our son."

Soren placed a bowl of stew before her.

"Support him after you eat."

She looked down.

The broth was warm.

The meat was tender.

And the smell...

Oh, the smell.

Swanly picked up her spoon.

Took one bite.

Then closed her eyes.

"Mm!"

Soren watched her.

"Good?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"So good!"

His silver eyes softened.

"Eat slowly."

Swanly took another spoonful.

Then noticed something.

One place near the edge of the dining mat was empty.

Her eyes moved toward the doorway.

Then around the room.

Kairo.

Nilo.

Miko.

Eira.

Sira.

Kael.

Soren.

Everyone.

Almost.

She lowered her spoon.

"Wait."

Soren looked up.

"What?"

"Where’s Nerin?"

Kael’s black ears twitched.

Soren’s expression immediately became less pleasant.

Swanly looked toward the doorway again.

"Has he eaten?"

Kael answered.

"He was helping Tovan earlier."

"That doesn’t answer my question."

Soren lifted his bowl.

"He can eat at his own shelter."

Swanly slowly turned toward him.

The white snake continued eating.

As though he hadn’t said anything outrageous.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Soren."

"Yes, my love?"

"Don’t ’my love’ me."

His lips twitched.

"I wasn’t aware it was forbidden."

Swanly pointed her spoon at him.

"Go invite Nerin."

Soren stopped chewing.

Kael lowered his gaze.

Miko immediately looked interested.

"Deer Papa?"

Swanly nodded.

"Yes, baby. Deer Papa."

Kairo looked toward the doorway.

"He was still working when we left."

Nilo added:

"And his head was hurting again."

Swanly’s expression changed.

"What?"

Kael sighed.

"He insisted he was fine."

"Of course he did."

Swanly rubbed her forehead.

"That deer is going to drive me insane."

Soren looked at her.

"You say that as though you are easy to care for."

Swanly gasped.

"Excuse me?"

Kael nodded.

"He has a point."

"YOU TOO?!"

Miko began laughing.

Sira copied him.

Eira continued eating.

Completely uninterested in the adults’ problems.

Swanly crossed her arms.

"Fine. I’ll invite him myself."

She started standing.

Immediately, two hands caught her.

Kael on one side.

Soren on the other.

"SIT," they said together.

Swanly froze.

Then slowly smiled.

"Oh?"

Soren closed his eyes.

Kael sighed.

Too late.

She leaned back against the cushion.

"Look at my two handsome husbands. So eager to take care of me."

Soren released her hand.

"Kael."

Kael looked at him.

"Send someone for the deer."

Swanly gasped.

"Someone?"

Soren looked deeply tired.

"Must I personally fetch every male who wants to eat with you?"

Swanly smiled sweetly.

"Yes."

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

She leaned over.

Kissed his cheek.

Then whispered:

"Pretty please?"

Soren’s pupils narrowed.

For several seconds, he stared at her.

Then looked toward the ceiling.

"Ancestors."

Kael stood.

"I’ll get him."

Swanly clapped.

"My wonderful panther!"

Kael shook his head.

But as he approached the doorway, his tail moved with the smallest hint of amusement.

Soren noticed.

He looked deeply betrayed.

A short while later, Kael returned.

And behind him came Nerin.

The silver deer beastman stopped at the entrance.

His long silver hair was tied loosely behind him, and clean bandages covered the base of his damaged antler.

He held a small wooden carving in one hand.

His green eyes moved across the room.

Soren.

Swanly.

The children.

The food.

Then back toward Kael.

"Are you sure?"

Kael looked at him.

"I wouldn’t have brought you if I wasn’t."

Nerin swallowed.

"Oh."

Swanly immediately smiled.

"Nerin!"

His ears lifted.

"Swanly."

"Come here!"

He approached.

Carefully.

As though he was afraid of stepping somewhere he shouldn’t.

Miko immediately abandoned his bowl.

"DEER PAPA!"