"I told you," I murmur, my heart swelling as Elowen’s greedy swallows slow beneath the fleece, her heavy eyelids fluttering shut. "He just needed his father."
Vane doesn't dare twitch the finger, his calloused thumb gently coming up to stroke the velvety curve of Evander’s cheek. A crooked, helpless smile curves his mouth, completely unraveling the terrifying reputation of the mountain scout leader right in front of the warm hearth.
"Stubborn little devil," Vane whispers with thick, raw tenderness, gazing down at the boy who holds him hostage with nothing more than a hungry grip and a handful of curls. "Just like his mother. Wrapping me around his little finger before he even has teeth."
"Here, she's done. Let's swap," I murmur, gently easing my little finger into the corner of Elowen's
