A loud whistle split the air.

They all turned to look at Nykyrian. “Yes, everyone. Darling has a girl—as in fully female—friend. Her name is Zarya. Try not to run her off. Darling will be most unhappy with you if you do.”

The muscular brunette who was holding the little girl elbowed Caillen in his stomach. “I told you Darling wasn’t gay. Next time, you’ll listen to me, won’t you?” Smiling sweetly, she stepped forward to offer Zarya her hand. “I’m Desideria Denarii de Orczy.”

Zarya tried not to gape at the impressive pedigree displayed by that single name. “The Qillaq princess?”

“Was. Now happily Exeterian.” She rubbed Caillen’s stomach where she’d elbowed him. “And this is my most wonderful husband Caillen and our daughter Lillya who will wake up eventually and say hi.”

Before Zarya could absorb that, Thad returned to hand Devyn back to his mother.

Taking her son, she stepped forward to introduce herself. “I’m Shahara, Syn’s wife and Caillen’s oldest sister. And I hate to mention this on our first meeting and all, but if you try to kill Syn, I’ll really hurt you.”

Zarya wasn’t sure what to make of that, but one thing was certain. Shahara meant it.

Maris was right, there had to be one heck of a story as to how Syn had ended up married to one of the most lethal tracers in the Nine Systems. And how that tracer was related to an Exeterian prince…

It was enough to boggle the mind.

Shahara tickled the chin of her son, making him laugh out loud. “And this exceptionally handsome boy genius is our baby Devyn—the most spoiled child in the entire universe.”

He squealed happily at Zarya as if he agreed completely with his mother’s description for him.

Shahara held her hand up to the women who were with her. “These are my sisters Kasen and Tess. And Tess’s husband, Thad.”

Zarya did her best to commit all of them to memory. “Nice meeting you.”

The other red-haired woman stepped forward with a regal grace that was impressive. “I’m Kiara Quiakides and the fiercely stern blond on my right is my husband Nykyrian. And we have other kids, but this,” she rubbed her hand over her distended belly, “is the only one with us right now. The others are at home, hopefully not making their nannies too crazy.”

Nykyrian let out an intimidating grunt. “If Adron sets fire to his room one more time, I vote we make him live outside in a tent.”

Everyone laughed. Except Kiara who appeared to actually consider it.

Ryn led the group of men over. “These are…” He hesitated as if he couldn’t think of how to introduce them to her. “Hell, I don’t know what to call them that’s fit for mixed company. They’re family, too.” He indicated the dark-haired man next to him. “Chayden Aniwaya is Desideria’s older brother.”

Chayden flashed a wicked grin at his sister. “I would stand near her, but she not only elbows, she kicks.”