Daughter of Tide and Illusion

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

"What about this one?" Lyv asked, holding up the toy pirate ship for Jai to see. "You know his love of pirates and ships and mermaids. And we really do need to bring him to Blackloch soon. I think he liked Kalla, though there was something else between them before, too. I don't think I told you about that. Didn't have time, exactly, but still..."

Jai gave her a blank look...before pointing down to the canvas shopping bag on her shoulder that was already filled with toys for Elys. "If Elys grows up with the taste of the finer things in life and a hoarder of it all, it's going to be your fault."

"Books and toys, Jai. Books and toys...which means he's just going to be smart and imaginative. And don't you even start. You're just as bad as I am...except you buy him weapons."

"Then he's going to be smart, imaginative, and well-armed with fighting skills to match. We have to make him a well-rounded kid, don't we?"

Lyv couldn't help her small smile as she shook her head. "You're impossible."

"And you're beautiful, princess."

"How many times have you said that to me this morning?"

"Oh, at least a couple dozen."

"Don't think you can sweet talk me. I know you and Gideon were looking at swords earlier."

Gideon, hearing his name, peeked at them from over one of the shelves in the toy shop. Thia was laughing from beside him, knowing exactly what the two of them had done that morning, too. "I was...looking into getting one for myself," he tried to tell her.

Lyv crossed her arms over her chest, giving both males a pointed look.

But Thia was quick to not so quietly whisper, "He lies."

Gideon was quick, too, grabbing her up to kiss her to make her hush.

They weren't backing down...until Kalla, who had been talking with the shop owner, spoke up, knowing exactly what she said next would stir the pot. "Oh, Jai? Ilias said those swords should be ready by the time you all leave in a few days. The dagger, too. And he thanks you for how well you're paying him, too. You know Blackloch is one of the best with custom blades..."

Lyv turned her gaze back to her mate, who heaved a guilty sigh.

"Thanks, Kalla," he called to her.

"You're welcome, Crown Prince," Kalla laughed, wiggling her fingers in a wave.

Jai sauntered his way over to Lyv then, both of his hands going to her waist before one looped around and slowly lowered to her backside, pulling her into his chest.

"I wasn't going to give it to him now, you know," he tried to tell her. "But he'll eventually have to start training with one. This will only be his when he completes his training in a few years."

"Then why do you have to get it now?"

"Because."

"And you got second one and a dagger. He's already got a dagger."

"No need to worry about that."

"But I will worry. He's five."

"Not after next week. He's going to be six. Don't you remember? He only had to remind us several times a day before we left Ayveri..."

"Are you serious right now?"

"Very."

"You'd better be getting me one hell of a birthday present then, too."