“You’ve got some moves, Cousin. Few damn good shots in there.” Tenn chuckled and rolled his shoulders. “You’ll enjoy sparring with Lancaster more. You two are pretty evenly matched. You’ve just got that crazy in you, but he’s used to sparring with Hope. She is just as crazy as us. I’m going to check on Tegan.”

Then he was gone.

Easton whistled. “That’s high fightin’ praise from the boss.”

I felt my cheeks turn hot, so I knew I blushed. “It’s easy to fight him because I can just throw whatever I’ve got, magic and all, knowing he can not only take it but kick my ass with his eyes closed.”

“Right. Bloody easy to fight him.” Jackson twirled spaghetti around his fork. “Well, tomorrow do me a favor and remember that this bloke ain’t him.”

“You’ve got it.” I took a deep breath. “Now, before he gets back, can someone cut me a plate of food because I’m not sure my arms work just yet and I don’t want him to know that or he’ll never let me spar with him again.”

The entire table cackled and teased me, but within seconds there was a massive glass of ice-cold coke in front of me with a straw and a delicious-looking plate of spaghetti. Also, three garlic rolls that I lunged for immediately. As I chewed, I leaned forward and inhaled the scent of food.

Mei-Ling walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of food and sat down next to me. She glanced to my plate, then slid it over in front of her and began cutting. “Nah, nah, she’s too impatient for the swirling. She choked on a spaghetti noodle when we were like eight, remember? I’m scarred for life. We cut your food toddler-style.”

“I detect no lies.” I snort-laughed. “Sorry we’re late for dinner⁠—”

“You’re not.” Tim winked to me. “We’re all very grateful you volunteered to be the punching bag he needed today.”

“Not sure I’d call that volunteering, big guy. But I enjoyed it, so I’ll give it to you.”

He laughed. “We also just sat down so no one has really started yet.”

“Cool. Smells amazing. Emersyn, you cook again?”

She looked up from her plate and grinned, her golden eyes sparkling. “Dad and I did.”

“The garlic rolls were fun to make.” Hunter grinned down at his daughter beside him. “That lasagna we planned would’ve been too if we hadn’t spent too much time perfecting the rolls.”

Half the table made sound effects about how good the garlic rolls were, which made the father and daughter duo beam with smiles. It made me happy to see that. Both of their soulmates were clinging to life, but they managed to find a moment of stolen peace.