Page 128 of The Prince's Fealty

“Mmm.” He sounded very satisfied. He leaned in to press a kiss to Pel’s stomach before he carefully rearranged his clothing.

As if people weren’t going to take one look at them and know exactly what they’d been doing.

He rose to his feet, and Pel made a half-hearted effort to brush off his hose.

Tor held out his hand, his eyes bright like a summer’s day. “Let’s go see how many people we can scandalize.”

Laughing, Pel could do nothing but follow.

The ceremony itself was simple. It really just consisted of Bav showing off his baby boy and announcing that his name was Win.

Tama cradled the little bundle in her arms, and Bav stared at them like they were the most amazing things he’d ever seen.

Pel was familiar with that feeling.

Also, he marveled at just how small the baby was and how quickly he’d grow. Pel could barely believe Shara’s size and speed, and he was confronted with it every day.

He smoothed a hand over his abdomen and reflected that he’d be experiencing a newborn again soon enough. This time, he and Tor had talked about it and deliberately decided they wanted to increase their family, so at least they were coming into it more prepared.

He gazed fondly at Tor, who was trying to get Shara to sit still and pay attention—or at least not do something elseloudly—and his heart was filled with so much love it felt like it might burst.

He’d never imagined he could get so lucky.

They all applauded Bav and Tama and little baby Win. Then Tor strode to the front of the assembly room, and all his attempts to get Shara to sit down and behave were for naught, because she scrambled after him and loudly said hi to many of the people she passed.

There was lots of laughter, and honestly, this was pretty typical for them.

Tor turned to face everyone, and his lips twitched as Shara did the same in front of him, mimicking his posture.

“Thank you so much for coming, everyone. Congratulations again to King Bavex, Queen Tama, and their beautiful baby, Prince Win!”

There was another round of applause.

“As some of you may be aware, in Torpel, we do things a little bit differently.”

From the back of the crowd, someone yelled out, “Go, Torpel!”

Laughter rippled around the room, and Tor grinned wide.

“One day, I’m going to get you with the name change when you least expect it!”

There was a chorus of negations from around the room and another flurry of laughter. Pel grinned fondly. His husband was so very good at that, putting people at ease and uniting them via humor.

Tor continued, “Here in Torpel, we like to give every parent the opportunity to introduce their children to the world.” He winked. “Honestly, we just like a party.” More laughter. “So anyone who’d like to introduce their children, now’s the time! Don’t be shy. I’ll start.”

He snatched Shara up into his arms, making her shriek with laughter.

“This is our baby, Shara.”

“Not a baby!” she announced loudly.

“This is our very big girl, Shara,” he corrected.

She beamed.

He held her up so that she was horizontal to the ground.

“Does she go this way?” he asked with mock confusion.