“Feel better?” she whispered.
He nursed with more vigor while flipping his gaze to her face, and she lightly laughed while stroking his nose. “Don’t worry. I won’t take it away.”
Quin summoned three little outfits and a stack of cloth diapers. Then he cast a slow-moving cyclone of glittery smoke over the bed, distracting Farrow so he could tend to Lilyana. “At least he knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it.”
“He’s getting plenty now. Hopefully he’ll reward me with a smile.”
“Still stuck on that?”
“Yes.”
Quin halted his task and took a moment to search Layla’s aura. Then he continued dressing Lilyana in a sparkly, white gown woven with soft filaments of silver. “You’re awfully impatient about that smile. Will you tell me why?”
Layla shrugged. “I want to see it.”
“You will. We don’t have to leave until March, and we’ll be back.”
She pursed her lips, prohibiting the word maybe from slipping out, and the next several seconds passed in awkward silence while she bit her tongue and he used a silver scarf to make a small headband. By the time he’d carefully secured the material around Lilyana’s curls and wrapped her wrists in bracelets, his tension had eased, and he smiled while lifting her from the bed.
They both beamed as he sprinkled her face in kisses. Then he turned her around so Layla could see her outfit. “Is this not the most beautiful little angel you’ve ever laid eyes on?”
“She’s pretty stinking adorable. Is that one of my mom’s dresses?”
“Yep.”
“Morrigan will cry when she sees it.”
“Probably, but her tears will fall on a smile.”
Layla shifted her gaze to the boys’ outfits, which were much less fancy. “Girl clothes are way cuter than boy clothes.”
Quin lay on his back next to Farrow. Then he held Lilyana above them, trying to coax another grin out of her. “That’s because girls are prettier. Isn’t that right, Son?” He turned his face toward Farrow and got smacked on the forehead by a tiny palm, but the assault merely brightened his smile. “And who has the prettiest girls in the world?”
Farrow gurgled while trying to grab a chunk of hair, and Quin continued the conversation as if it wasn’t one-sided. “That’s right. We do, because we have Mamma and”—he nuzzled Lilyana’s neck, earning an adorable coo and a slobbery cheek, and both their bodies shook with his laughter before settling over his serene sigh—“our sweet Lilyana Rose.”
Layla stayed quiet so he could spend a few seconds submersed in the peaceful moment, but then she cleared her throat and nudged his leg with a toe. “Your sweet Lilyana is going to get peed on if you don’t put a diaper on Farrow.”
Quin found Farrow’s eyes and grinned. “Don’t do it. You’ll get all three of us, and your sister’s dressed up for a party.”
Layla laughed as she floated a cloth diaper to Farrow’s lap. “You know he can’t understand you, right? He could spring a leak any second.”
With Lilyana still slobbering on his cheek, Quin moved his face closer to Farrow’s and whispered. “Your mom worries too much.”
Layla smirked and shook her head. “If my daughter wasn’t in the crossfire I’d remove that cloth and leave you to your fate.”
“Uh-oh… Daddy’s in trouble.”
“Whatever,” Layla laughed. “Diaper your child.”
Following a kiss to Farrow’s nose, Quin did as he was told, and Layla worked on pumping one breast while Kaedan emptied the other. As soon as his suction grew lazy, she sent the bottled milk to storage. Then she turned her undivided attention on her youngest child.
“Okay, little heartbreaker, it’s time for a smile, and I’m prepared to act like a fool to make it happen.” She sat him on her lap and patted his back. “So what’s it going to be? Silly faces?” She crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue, but he merely wrinkled his brow, so she summoned a receiving blanket and draped it over her face. “How about… peek-a-boo!”
He jolted when she suddenly appeared. Then he hiccupped, but there wasn’t even a hint of a smile.
“Tough audience.” She tossed aside the blanket then went for the closer, singing a goofy song embellished with silly faces and a bobbing head. Kaedan just stared at her like she was crazy, but she kept trying, making up nonsensical lyrics as she tickled his feet, thighs and belly.
She finished with a light tap on his nose, which made him cross his eyes, but rather than reward her with a smile, he gave her one of the biggest burps that had ever come from his tiny body. Her mouth fell open as the shock settled over her. Then she started cracking up. With or without a smile, she didn’t mind acting like a fool for her baby, and even when he was burping, the little guy held her whole heart.
Tears of joy blurred her view of the ceiling as her giggles settled, and when she dropped her gaze to tell Kaedan he didn’t need to smile for her to love him, she found him flashing a big, toothless grin, as if he was proud of his manly burp and the reaction it received.
Layla gasped and bounced, trying to mute her delighted squeal. “There it is! You did it. He’s smiling, Quin. Look. Hurry!”
“I’m right here,” Quin laughed, laying a hand on her leg. “I see it, and it looks like it’s there to stay.”
He was right. Kaedan kept his gaze glued to Layla’s face as he mimicked her smile, so she didn’t dare let it fall. “It’s perfect.”
“And all it took was your laugh.”
“And a healthy burp, but I don’t care why he’s smiling. I just want to carry this memory with me wherever I go.” She lifted him from her lap and kissed his grin. “You just made my year complete, sweet baby. Now we can go usher in a new one.”
A warm breeze and upbeat music floated through the clearing as Layla stepped out in a flashy cocktail dress that Quin had chosen. A nude layer of chiffon hugged her post-baby curves, and thousands of gemstones trailed over her naughty bits. The magical lights hovering over the lawn reflected off her gown, turning her into a walking disco ball, but as she scanned the party guests, she realized her dress wasn’t the skimpiest or the shiniest. Every witch in the clearing glittered. Some of them from head to toe, and Layla suddenly understood why Quin dressed her like they were partying on the Las Vegas Strip. There, in the middle of the quiet forest, they had their own Sin City. The lights weren’t as blinding and the crowd wasn’t as thick, but the booze freely flowed, the cannabis was burning, and several wizards were already shirtless, making up for their nondescript clothing. The only thing missing was the gambling, but Weylin would fix that soon enough.
A section of the lawn had been cleared for the children to play, and Benzio ran around with the other kids, so Layla and Quin left him to it and headed for the adults.
The moment Morrigan saw Lilyana dressed in one of Rhosewen’s outfits, she began to weep, and Layla and Quin smiled at each other while handing out babies.
Layla also got rid of the burp cloth on her shoulder, increasing the sexiness of her dress tenfold. Then she watched her triplets get carried into a cluster of magicians anxious to spoil them. “I won’t get them back until they’re hungry,” she predicted, laughing at the way witches cooed over Lilyana’s outfit.
Quin wrapped an arm around Layla’s shoulders and steered her toward the beverage table. “You know… we could use a couple of the bottles tonight. Then you could smoke and drink.”
She shook her head while moving closer to his side. “I don’t mind skipping feedings for you, but I’ll wait until March for the smoke and booze.”
He gave her a squeeze and kissed her head. “You’re a devoted mom.”
“I’m desperate and can’t get enough of them.”
They’d reached the table, so she slid out from under his arm and grabbed a tumbler. “But I don’t see why you shouldn’t drink. You’re not making the milk, and I doubt you’ll get so trashed you forget how to focus on your family.” She handed him the glass while
finding his favorite brand of scotch. Then she popped the cork with magic and poured him a drink. “Not that I’ve ever celebrated New Year’s Eve with you. For all I know, you ring in the new year with your head in a toilet.”
He stayed quiet while keeping his glass steady, but his aura had picked up speed, and she could see his sexy smirk out of the corner of her eye.
“Does it turn you on to watch me serve you?”
“No. I was thinking about what I’ll be doing at midnight.”
“Hmm…” She capped the bottle and returned it to the table. “Does it have something to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you.” He caught her hand and pulled her close. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be spending this night with you, Layla. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time. At the stroke of midnight, your lips are mine.”
Her veins warmed with his promise, and she figured her aura was probably racing faster than his. “Who else would I give them to?”
As if the universe had a sick sense of humor, someone to Layla’s right cleared his throat, and she and Quin looked over to find Tristan and Emrys.
“Happy New Year,” Tristan greeted. “Look who’s here.”
Quin rubbed Layla’s back. Then he let her go so he could offer Emrys his hand. “It’s good to see you back on your feet. It gives me a chance to properly thank you.”
Emrys accepted the handshake but refused the gratitude. “Unnecessary. Some things are worth saving, no matter whom they belong to.” He swallowed and looked at Layla. “You’re aura’s lovely when you’re happy. I’ve never seen it that way. Tristan says your babies are doing well.”
“Very well,” she confirmed, tentatively moving forward. “And you’re partly responsible for that, so even if you don’t want our appreciation, you have it. You nearly died for our children. A parent doesn’t dismiss something like that.”
“I’m sure, but my wounds are gone, and I’m not here for recognition.”
“No one said you were, but I feel better when my debts are paid.” She took his hand and pulled his cheek into a kiss. “Thank you.”
She dropped her gaze to the ground as she stepped away, and Quin reclaimed her shoulders the moment they were within reach. “I’d say that was worth flying around the world, but it’s not why you came.”
“No… it’s um…” Emrys rubbed his cheek and cleared his throat. “The Crusaders have hit a wall in Maganthia. I’m here to discuss our next move with Drexel. He sent us to request a meeting with you.”
“He’s requested a meeting every day this week, and every day I’ve said no. He’s a fool if he really thought I’d accept during a party. Grab a drink and join us. We’ll introduce you to the triplets. It’s only fair you see the reward of your sacrifice.”
“I already see it,” Emrys assured, “but I’d be honored to meet her babies.”
Quin smirked, his fingers closing around Layla’s arm as he motioned for Tristan and Emrys to fix a drink. They helped themselves, and Quin summoned a chocolate shake for Layla before leading the way to their babies.
While Emrys held one, Layla squeezed Quin’s waist and excused herself from the tense situation. “I’m going to go talk to Bri. It was good to see you, Emrys. You, too, Tristan. If no one else objects, you’re welcome to stay for the party.”
She walked away without waiting for a reply, and Quin watched her go before turning toward Tristan and Emrys. They were gawking at her, but when they noticed Quin’s stare, they flipped their gazes to the triplets.
“We don’t mean to intrude,” Emrys mumbled.
Quin took a drink and scanned the crowd. “Maybe not, but you should stay. We could use the security. All our guests are local, but a few of them are merely acquaintances. We’ll be watching them and could use the extra eyes.”
They both nodded as Tristan answered. “We have nowhere else to be. If we return to the Crusaders without you, it will ruin Drexel’s night.”
“Drexel should know better. I’ll tell him so after the party. Make yourselves at home and keep an eye on anyone you don’t recognize. They’ll undoubtedly gossip about Layla, so don’t overreact and fuel their curiosity. Just make sure it’s innocent chatter and not a plot to sell us out to the Dark Guild. We have no idea who they’ve gotten to.”
“We know more than you,” Tristan countered. “We’ll share our information when you meet with Drexel.”
Quin looked at his dad, his agitation and worries piqued, but he shrugged them away. “Then it can wait. Enjoy the party.”
Layla had found a seat between Brietta and Aradia, and Weylin sat across from them with his date – a local witch named Daisy. Daisy was quick to introduce herself and offer a hand, saying she was from a coven to the east, and though Layla politely smiled while accepting the gesture, she couldn’t keep her eyes off Quin.
His shoulders and steps carried his tension as he approached, but he wore a smile when he slapped Weylin’s back, waved at Daisy, shook Kegan’s hand, and kissed Skyla’s cheek. Layla watched the greetings while making room for a chair between her and Brietta, and by the time Quin took a seat, his good mood had returned. He joked with Kegan and bantered with Weylin, and he’d drained two drinks by the time Layla finished her shake, but the alcohol and fun didn’t hinder his focus. He glanced at his kids often, and he kept Layla within reach. Tristan and Emrys eventually joined the crowd, and they managed to blend in by chatting with Caitlyn and Maeveen.
When Quin got lured into one of Weylin’s challenges and started betting on a contest between Brynton and Banning, Layla rolled her eyes and turned toward a chatty cluster of witches. Multiple conversations flew between them, making it hard to jump in, so she reached for Aradia, who also sat on the fringe, her mouth shut as she raptly listened.
“Did you invite Alec?” Layla asked.
Aradia tore her gaze from the other witches and moved closer. “Quin invited him, but he already had plans to spend the evening at the refugee camp. I’m having dinner with him tomorrow.”
“Here?”
“Portland, just the two of us.”
“That will be nice, but it’s not safe to travel alone.”
“He’s meeting me here so we can fly over together.”
“Good plan.”
Aradia laughed and shook her head. “You can’t take care of me forever, Layla.”
“Maybe not, but I’ll care about you forever.” Layla glanced at the rowdy group of guys. Then she leaned close to Aradia and lowered her voice. “How are things with Banning?”
Aradia peered over her shoulder, finding Banning and Brynton juggling hockey pucks while balancing on beer kegs. She laughed at the taunts they were throwing at each other, and her aura picked up speed as her cheeks brightened. “I told him I’d stay with him tonight.”
Layla raised an eyebrow and scanned Aradia’s whirling colors. “This is the third sleepover?”
“Yeah.”
“In a week?”
“Yeah.”
“Apparently they’re going well.”
“So far.”
“Then I’m sure this one will be fine.”
An uproar of deep voices signaled the end of the competition, and Layla turned to find Banning celebrating a win while Quin collected money from Weylin.
That was as rambunctious as the party got until the small children were rounded up and sent to bed in a tent surrounded by silencing spells. Layla escorted Benzio around to say goodnight to his family. Then she carried him to Quin and passed him over for a hug.
“I’m going to nurse after I tuck him in. I’ll be back out in a bit.”
Quin scowled while shifting the toddler to one arm. “I’m coming with you.”
“You don’t need to,” Layla insisted. “My grandmas will help me.”
He watched her while finishing his drink. Then he vanished the glass and headed for the triplets. “My reasoning has nothing to do with you needing help. This is my first New Year’s Eve
with you. I won’t spend it out here while you’re putting our four kids to bed.”
Layla’s mouth fell open at his vehemence. “I’m sorry, but you seemed to be enjoying yourself. I was just trying to—”
He halted. “I know what you were trying to do. It’s sweet, so don’t apologize. But you’re forgetting why I’m enjoying myself. I don’t live for parties, Layla. I live for you. You and our kids, and I won’t let you forget it.”
“I haven’t.”
“Then you know I’d rather be in that tent with you than out here without you.”
She sighed. “I guess you would.”
“You don’t have to guess. Just imagine what you’d do if I told you to stay out here while I put our kids to bed.”
She bowed her head. “I get it, Quin. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her curls. “Come on. We can get them tucked in and be back out by midnight.”
The tent walls were lined with cots that cradled tired kids, and several moms and dads stood next to them, kissing their children goodnight. A bed near the entrance was reserved for Benzio, and he crawled in while Quin made room for a crib and two rocking chairs. Since he and Layla planned to stay a while, they agreed to keep an eye on all the kids, so the rest of the adults rejoined the party.
As Layla settled in to nurse, Quin extinguished the lights, and the tent glowed with the pure and shiny auras of the innocent. The triplets hadn’t started fussing for their meal yet, so Quin was able to keep Farrow entertained by rocking his little body and whispering in his ear.
Aside from steady breathing and an occasional creak of a cot, Quin’s whispers were the only noise. Then Alana’s small voice floated across the tent. “Waywa?”
Layla scanned the beds until she found Alana’s colors. “Yeah, sweetie?”
“Wiw you sing to me?”
Quin sealed his lips and watched Layla out of the corner of his eye, wondering which would be more difficult for her – singing for an audience or denying Alana’s request.
“Everyone’s trying to sleep,” Layla pointed out. “They might not want a song.”
The Servant Page 19