Ch. 491..500

Chapter 491

I take deep breaths, working to breathe through the contraction. Sinclair is seated on the bed next to me, one hand on my lower back, the other clutching my left hand as I squeeze his fingers, hard.

“You’re doing great, Ells,” Cora says, there on my right, coaching me through it. She was the obvious choice to help me deliver my baby, even though three other doctors wait patiently behind the door to our living room, as well as a small team of delivery nurses.

It’s all overkill, I know – but, well, why not have them on hand just in case. But in the room? It’s just the three of us for now. Roger and Henry are out there too, taking care of Rafe and probably drinking brandy and smoking cigars, for all I know.

The contraction ends and my head falls back as I pant, pressing my eyes shut and working hard to save my energy. Babygirl – she’s taking longer than Rafe, which is fine, it’s just…a completely different experience. While I was physically battered last time, this time I’m just…exhausted.

I can feel Sinclair’s anxiety for me down the line of our bond, even if he tries to hide it. He releases my hand, shakes his out a little bit, and then raises a cool washcloth to my head, patting away the sweat there.

“Thanks, baby,” I murmur, turning my face to him a little bit.

“Almost there, Ella,” he replies, supportive.

“He’s right,” Cora says, bending down low to check on my progress. “We’re going to start pushing on the next one.” She raises her head and grins at me. “You ready?”

“Are you kidding?” I say, raising my head to glare at her a little. “I’ve been ready for hours.”

My sister’s smile deepens as she stands up, moving over to the door to call the delivery nurses in so that there are some extra hands to help with the baby.

“Little Princess,” Sinclair says, giving me a squeeze. “She’ll be here soon.”

“I’m going to be jealous,” I mutter, glancing at him and working hard for a joke, even though I can feel the next contraction coming on, “when there’s another girl in your life, stealing all your attention.”

“Never,” he replies, kissing me on the side of the head. “You’re always my best girl.”

“Better be,” I gasp, but then all jokes are put aside, because the contraction comes on in full force. I groan as the pain grasps me and Cora moves quickly to the bedside, helping me better position my legs as she coaches me through it.

“Okay, Ella!” she says, her voice eager. “Let’s start to push!”

And so I do – I bear down, and put my full force behind it, working to bring my baby into the world

The pain is…agony. My groan turns into a low moan and then a shout as I push, my world turning dark at the edges. I keep pushing, still hearing Cora’s encouragement, feeling Sinclair tense at my side.

But as I gasp a breath back in the contraction fades and my eyes flutter open.

“She’s coming fast now,” Cora says, her voice excited, “you’re almost there, Ella! A few more pushes – ”

But her voice fades away and – and the shadows at the edge of my vision, they don’t fade –

I frown, blinking, trying to understand Because, I mean…I’m not passing out. This is not the darkness at the edge of my vision that I’ve felt before when I’ve felt faint. This is – what the hell, it’s real shadows curling at the edges of my room…

“Do you…” I ask, my voice panting as I whip my head, looking around the room, “do you guys see that?”

Sinclair’s hand is on my face, turning it towards him now, his voice worried. ” See what?”

“The…the shadows,” I say, pulling my face from his hand, looking around the room again. The shadows – they’re growing.

“Ella,” Sinclair says, his voice shaking with worry. “Cora – what’s -”

“I – I don’t know – ” Cora says, looking at me. “Ella? What…”

But her voice fades out, and the room grows dark as the shadows overwhelm it.

And then, suddenly, Cora and Sinclair freeze next to me, and the room becomes somehow a shadow of itself, looking like…like a room in a dollhouse, or something – only half real in comparison to…

To the man who stands at the center of the room, who looks like he’s made of shadow itself. Except his eyes, which burn bright as coals in his face.

“Hello, Ella,” he says, his voice low and rolling, like thunder.

My eyes go wide as he moves a few steps forward and shadows clear from him, revealing a tall, broad- shouldered man with an angular face, impeccably dressed in rich fabrics, each a darker shade of black. “Congratulations,” he continues, giving me a short, teasing little bow, “on the birth of your first daughter.”

“Who,” I gasp, terrified and still in a great deal of pain, though my birth process is somehow…paused – I’m in the middle of it, but it’s not progressing – I gasp, and my hands fly to my stomach, worried for her.

“It’s all right,” the man continues, walking to my side so that he looks down at me with that burning gaze. ” I’ve transported you, temporarily, to a pocket realm – only taken a second of your life. When we’re finished our little chat, you’ll be returned, safe and sound. No threat to your child.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…

“Who,” I stutter, starting to get mad, “who are you!?”

“You don’t recognize me?” he asks, the corner of his mouth turning up. ” I’m afraid your mother has neglected you, then, if she hasn’t bothered to teach you to recognize the presence of her husband.”

“Her…her husband?” I gasp out – and then my eyes go wide as I put the pieces together. My mother – goddess of the light, and the moon, and wolves frequently paired, rather unhappily, with her sometimes-paramour, the God of Darkness.

“Well,” he says, with a sigh, “husband for lack of a better term. You wolves with your mates – makes love so simple, doesn’t it?”

“No,” I growl, glaring at him, even more afraid now than I was before what on earth is he here for is he - is he going to try to take my baby!?

He laughs, smiling down at me. “I like your spirit, little wolf – you remind me a great deal of your mother.”

“Why are you here!?” I shout, terrified, still wracked with the pain of labor.

“Because it is my right to be here,” he snaps, leaning down a little, holding my gaze. “You are the child of my beloved, my wife – you should have been mine, had she not been foolish enough to go choosing those mortal men to sire you. And so, while you are not biologically mine, I have what might be considered…a vested interest.”

I shake my head at him, still not understanding what the hell this has to do with my daughter’s birth.

“I would have been there at your birth,” he says, straightening up, “and your sister’s, had I known you existed. I was denied that right, and so I am here,” he shifts his gaze now to my stomach, “to witness hers.”

“Wha…” I shake my head, my mind thinking too many things at once, ” why not Rafe? Jesse?”

He shrugs. “The sons belong to their fathers. The daughters – they are the true children of the moon.”

My brow knits together at this cryptic statement, but I have no time, really to think on it because the God – he holds out a hand to me.

Instinctually, I flinch away.

He laughs.

“Your mother,” he says, shaking his head with a sigh, keeping the hand outstretched. “She taught you not to recognize me, only to fear me. But not only danger lurks in the darkness, moon daughter. Great beauty is there as well.”

I stare up at him, anger roiling in me now. “It wasn’t my mother who taught me that it was your horrible priests chasing me and Cora our whole lives trying to steal my son – ”

The Dark God tilts his head back and laughs, of all things. My frown deepens. “Those priests – ” he says, flicking his hand dismissively, “all mortal politics, Ella. The priests – I gave them power centuries ago before I lost interest. Whatever they’re doing today is their own business, not mine.”

I shake my head at him, starting to bare my teeth. “Get out of here,” I snap, “return me to my mate – ”

The God of Darkness smiles so broadly it crinkles the skin around his eyes. ” Such fire, little wolf,” he says, chuckling. “I do wish you had been mine.” He sighs and tilts his head, his calm only stoking my anger further. I open my mouth to issue further demands but he simply raises his hand again, and I feel – quite obviously under his control – the instant urge to hush.

“Enough,” he sighs. “I will return you to your home and your task in a moment. All that is left is to deliver my gift.”

“A…a gift?” I stumble over the words, horrified at the idea.

“A gift,” he continues, nodding. “For your daughter. From me.”

 

Chapter 492

I go rigid at the idea of this dark god giving my daughter anything.

“No,” I gasp, attempting to push myself away from him – but I struggle to move

“Fear not, moon daughter,” he says, the corner of his lip tilting up. “I do not give curses to those who are my chosen ones – only gifts.”

And with that shadows begin to swirl in his hand. My eyes go wide as they build and build into an orb of smoke and shade.

“No!” I protest again, my voice a little breathless this time.

“Careful, girl,” he growls, taking a step closer, bending over me now. “If you anger me, I will not be so eager to bestow my gift. You would not to incur my ire for your life, instead of a blessing for hers, would you?”

I cringe away from him, not knowing what to do – not knowing which will be worse-

The God of Darkness stretches out his hand over me and the shadows begin to spill down from his fingers, surrounding me.

“A blessing,” he murmurs, “for the first granddaughter of the moon from her benefactor. Long may she live, dwelling in darkness as well as light.”

The shadows, when they touch me, are soft – gentler than I imagined they’d be, like velvet or mist. When I breathe, they flow into me through my nose and my mouth. I gasp, worried – but the smoke, it tastes faintly of…of mint, and cool mornings, and it soothes my aching throat…

I look up at the God in wonder, tilting my head at him.

“See?” he says softly. “Not all that dwells in darkness is wicked.”

And then he smiles at me – a wayward, vicious thing – and gives another short bow before

Before he disappears.

And I blink, and the world – my room – it’s real again.

“Ella?” Cora says, abruptly in front of me now, shining a light in my eyes.

“Ella!” Sinclair gasps at my side as I blink rapidly, trying to clear my thoughts. “Are you – “he spins his head to Cora, “is she all right!?”

“I’m – um I’m fine,” I murmur.

“Your eyes,” Cora says, dropping her flashlight and taking my face in her hands, studying me with horror on her features. “Ella, they went all black you were frozen in place – ”

I nod, taking a deep breath, the scent of mint still clinging to the back of my mouth. As I exhale I run my hands over my stomach and check on my bond with my daughter –

It’s still there. She’s just as strong – just as uncomfortable, ready to be born

“It’s okay,” I say, nodding to my sister, to my mate. “It – um – ” I hesitate for a moment, torn between wanting to explain and the feeling of the next contraction coming steadily on. “It was it was really weird, all right, but right now?” I shake my head at them, a little frantic, “I think we need to push.”

Cora snaps immediately back into doctor mode, moving down on the bed to position herself between my knees, nodding. “All right, Ella,” she says, pulling me a little lower so that I’m flatter on my back now. “When you’re ready, you push.”

“Ella,” Sinclair growls next to me, and even as the contraction takes hold I turn my face to him and press my eyes shut, passing all of my emotions down our bond – my fear, and my shock, but alongside it my conviction that…that I’m okay, right now, and so is the baby but we’ve got to concentrate on this.

“All right,” he says, his voice low as he sits up and puts his hands my shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

And, with my mate behind me, and my sister ready to welcome my little girl, I push with all my might.

Half an hour later, our little baby girl is born.

I’m inconsolable as Cora places her in my arms, the tears dripping down my face as I peer at my baby, reaching out a finger to stroke her teeny tiny fingers, her perfect little nose. She shouts her unhappiness and shakes her little head, which only makes me laugh as I try to wipe my tears away.

“She’s perfect,” Sinclair breathes, tucked close behind me, peering at our baby over my shoulder.

“She really is,” I say between gasping breaths. “Oh god, she’s so cute – ”

Cora laughs, coming to sit next to me and stroke a hand over her little head. We’re quiet for a long moment as I press my child against the skin of my chest.

“She’s precious,” Cora murmurs, her voice almost reverent. “And I love her, and I’m going to be her favorite aunt.”

“Only aunt,” Sinclair murmurs, his voice a little dry.

“Even if she had sixty,” Cora coos, tapping the baby’s little belly with a single finger, “I’d be the best.” She leans forward, kissing me on the cheek. “I’ll give you two a couple of minute, all right? Go break the news to the drunk ones in there.”

I turn my face up and kiss my sister as well as she scrunches her nose at me and turns to the door, taking the team of nurses with her. Everyone did such a wonderful job – I’m so grateful to them

But honestly, as much as I want to shout my thanks out after them, all I can do is stare down at my perfect little girl.

I lean back against Sinclair as I study her face and he wraps his arms around me, doing the same.

“She looks just like you, Ella,” he breathes, fascinated.

“What!?” I protest, honestly a little shocked. “Dominic, she’s all scrunchy

He laughs at this, and I can feel him shaking his head. “Newborn scrunch aside – her features? And the shape of her face? Rafe is all me, but Ella…this one is you.”

“Little baby girl,” I murmur, rocking her a little and passing love and comfort down our bond so that she settles, just a bit. I can feel the tumult of her emotions down our bond – she’s happy to be close to me, but cold, and a little frightened. She cries the sweetest little mewing sounds, and I cuddle her close, thinking that it must be so hard, being brand new to the world. I do my best to let her know that she’s all right, that I’m still right here. I press a kiss to her forehead, loving her so much already that I can hardly bear it.

Outside the windows of the palace we can hear the crowd start to cheer as the announcement goes out – their Princess has been born, safe and sound. They started to gather late last night, wanting to be the first ones to lay eyes on her. And today? I had peeked out the front window earlier as I paced the halls, trying to ease the bangs of labor, and was shocked to see the masses of people waiting out there, eager to lay eyes on her.

“I can’t say their enthusiasm is misplaced,” Sinclair sighs. “She’s a really good baby.”

“Hear that, baby?” I murmur, smiling at her. “They’re cheering for you!”

We take a long, quiet moment together before Sinclair reaches a hand out and strokes my hair. “Ella,” he says quietly, and I hear the worry come back into his voice. “What…what happened? Earlier, when you -”

But I shake my head, because of course I know precisely the moment he’s talking about. I turn a little so that I can see him and quickly, briefly, give him the fast version of what happened, because I know that we only have a few minutes before the doctors come back in, and Rafe comes to meet his sister, and we have a great deal to do.

My mate goes pale as I tell him how the Dark God took me away into the pocket realm, how he gave our daughter some kind of gift, how he ensured me it was a blessing and not a curse.

“But from the Dark God,” Sinclair murmurs, shaking his head, his voice heavy with dread, “who knows what a blessing is to him.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…

“I know,” I say, my voice soft, a little mournful. “But honestly, Sinclair, as it …came to me, the gift – it didn’t feel bad. He was angry at mom for keeping secrets from him for all of these years but I did not get the impression, from the gift itself, that he wanted to hurt the baby or use it as vengeance.”

“Then what did it feel like?” he asks, confused.

“I don’t know,” I say with a shrug. “It felt…a great deal like an open door.” As the words fall from my mouth I have no idea where they came from, and that they make absolutely no sense. But, somehow, they’re right.

But still, as I look down at my baby girl, my stomach twists with anxiety for all the things it can mean for her future.

 

Chapter 493

“So you’re all right? You’re both all right?” My mate asks, pressing his forehead to mine, still reeling from the strange news of the Dark God’s gift.

“We are,” I say, nodding, sure of it. And then I shift again, passing the baby to him. “See for yourself, new papa,” I sigh, placing the little girl in her father’s arms.

On Sinclair’s face, and through our bond, I see his heart absolutely melt. ” Oh god,” he sighs, shaking his head as he stares down at his little girl. “I’m a gonner, Ella. This one she’s already got me in the palm of her hands, even as I hold her in mine.”

“Don’t worry,” I sigh, curling up next to him, indulging in the sight of my mate the one I love most in the world falling in love with our tiny daughter, as I’ve already done. “I won’t tell her the power she wields.”

“It will be our secret,” he says with a nod and a little smirk on his lips. We’re quiet for a moment, studying her, when suddenly I realize that she doesn’t have a name.

“What do you think?” I ask quietly, resting my head on his shoulder. “Is she an Emma? Or an Eloise?”

My mate’s smile deepens as he looks up at me, and I already know his answer before he says it, because it’s precisely the same as mine.

Those names are great – but they’re not hers.

“Nah,” Sinclair says, grinning at me before turning back to his little girl. ” She’s totally, completely an Ariel.”

“I know,” I sigh, tracing a finger down her cheek. “Welcome to the world, Ariel Sinclair. You are already so, so loved.”

And Ariel stretches her mouth in a wide yawn before snuggling down in her father’s arms, happy and content. Sinclair and I both laugh to see it, and I know that his heart, like mine, is so very full. I pass my joy and love down the bond to both of them, and am totally thrilled when Ariel gives a little tentative pulse of love back as she gets used to her new surroundings.

The next hour or so is busier than I’d like, with the doctors returning to the room so that I can finish the after- business of labor and ensure that our sweet Ariel is healthy and happy. But even as I feed her for the first time, and deliver the placenta, and take a shower, and am completely exhausted through it all, I can’t stop smiling and turning towards Ariel in the room, eager to keep my eyes on her.

My baby – my little girl. I’m so filled with excitement that she’s here, that she’s mine. God – her whole life is out there in front of her, and I just can’t wait to see her live it.

Once the doctors have given us the final okay – at least for now, the nurses, of course, will be on hand all night in case we need help with anything – we settle in together as a family. Roger comes into the room with a tearful Rafe on his hip as Cora finishes bundling Ariel into a swaddle and hands her off to Sinclair. Henry wheels into the room after Roger with a sleeping Jesse in his lap, looking excitedly for his first granddaughter as he closes the door behind him.

“Mama!” Rafe shouts, his voice so terribly sad it breaks my heart.

“Ohhh, baby,” I murmur, rushing over to Roger and taking my eldest baby up into my arms. “It’s all right, we missed you!”

“It’s probably the longest he’s gone from your side in…months, Ella,” Roger murmurs, smiling at me and giving me a little hug as Rafe rests his head against my chest. Henry and Cora come close, Cora wrapping her arm around Roger’s and resting her head on his shoulder.

“Maybe ever,” I sigh, shaking my head. He really is my little Velcro baby pretty much always with me. But, then again, it’s not entirely his fault I’m could be accused of being an overly -attached parent.

But I don’t know if I mind that. I just… like being around my kid. Kids, now.

“Poor little guy,” I murmur, stroking Rafe’s sweet head and turning to where Sinclair walks over with the baby. “He missed us.”

Rafe sits up with a little cry and reaches a hand out to Sinclair, wanting him close too.

“We’re sorry, kiddo,” Sinclair murmurs, smiling at his son and taking Rafe’s hand, leaning over to kiss it. ” But we were busy! Mom was doing all the work to bring you a new little sister.”

Sinclair turns a little then, showing Rafe the baby, and Rafe sits up straight to peer down at Ariel

We all stay very still for a moment, watching the siblings meet for the first time, but suddenly Rafe gives a little cry of disgust and turns his head away, pressing his eyes shut and gripping my robe tight in his fists, not wanting to let me go.

We all burst out laughing at Rafe’s tiny jealousy and I stroke his head some more, murmuring sweet things to him as I carry him over to our freshly-made bed, the rubbered sheets and soiled linens thankfully already changed. I sigh a little with gratitude, thinking that it’s perhaps a little nice to be queen for things like this. And then I sink down against my pillows, taking Rafe with me and waving to my family to come close.

“You have to be nice to sissy, Rafe,” I whisper to him as he peers at his father, clearly allowing his curiosity about his baby sister win out over his jealousy. Sinclair sinks down on his side of the bed and moves so that his side is pressed against mine. Henry wheels close, handing Jesse up to Cora as she and Roger likewise move near.

I turn Rafe in my lap so that he can see into Sinclair’s arms more completely. Rafe turns his head, peering at his sister like she’s a little alien or a completely foreign species, which makes me smile.

“Her name is Ariel,” Sinclair whispers to his son, and I look up to my other side when I hear Cora gasp. I grin when I see her pressing her hand to her chest, her eyes squeezed nearly shut with joy.

“Perfect name,” she mouths to me, and I laugh and nod eagerly, turning back to my son.

“What do you think, little Rafey?” I murmur, rubbing his back while he leans out to touch his sister. “Will she do?”

Rafe burbles something to Ariel, which makes me smile, but the moment his fingers press against her cheek I give a gasp. Sinclair does too, his eyes whipping up to meet mine.

“Did you feel it too?” I breathe, suddenly very excited.

“I did,” he replies, laughing and nodding. Both of us whip our heads back to Rafe, who smiles at his sister for the first time. Ariel squirms a little in her swaddle, smacking her lips and turning her head to the side, clearly getting sleepy.

“Wait, what is it?” Cora asks, leaning over.

“A bond,” I say, turning to her and grinning, “just like with Rafe and Jesse.”

“Oh,” she says, standing up straight and looking down into her arms at her son.

“Cool,” Roger breathes, looking between the babies. “What do you think that means?”

“Still in the dark, brother,” Sinclair murmurs, peering curiously at Jesse now. “Should we…”

“Is it too much?” I ask, suddenly anxious, looking down at my fresh new baby. “Is it enough to be born and then get a new bond in one day?”

“In this family?” Sinclair asks, his voice dry. “She’s going to have to get used to being overwhelmed.”

I laugh a little, nodding, and then when my mate peers at me, clearly seeking to know what I think, I just shrug – because frankly, I’m curious too, and really what could it hurt?

“Come on,” Sinclair murmurs, placing the sleepy Ariel down on the bed and gesturing for Cora to lay her baby down too. “Let’s…just give it a try.”

So, quite gingerly, Cora lays Jesse down next to his new cousin, whispering a sweet little introduction as she does. As soon as the babies are laid side-by-side, Jesse blinks and frowns for a minute, turning towards Ariel as if he’s quite suddenly noticed that she’s there. And then I burst into a smile to see that he actually reaches for her – seeking her.

The moment his little hand touches her face, it happens again, making me jump a bit this time. The bond SO tiny, so faint! – snaps into place, and my grin deepens.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…

“Wow,” Sinclair says, shaking his head. “That is amazing. I’ve never heard of anything like that happening before.”

And then all four of us parents laugh as I move to lay Rafe down next to his tiny cousins, careful to place him next to Jesse, who is a bit sturdier. I don’t want my precious little meatball to roll over on my baby girl in her first hours of being alive.

“Someone’s going to have to fill me in here,” Henry murmurs as he alternates between smiling at his three grandchildren and looking curiously between his sons and their mates.

“The kids have bonds, dad,” Sinclair says, smiling up at his father and running an amazed hand through his hair. “Between each other, separate from us, their parents.”

“Really,” Henry says, his eyebrows going up and his face breaking into a smile of pleasure and curiosity. “Well. I mean, I knew they were special children. But I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Have you ever heard of anything like that happening before?” Roger asks, peering down at his dad.

“I have…heard of something like it,” Henry murmurs quietly before looking around at us. “Though it wasn’t between siblings and cousins, and I’m not fully sure it applies.”

“Really,” Sinclair says, looking at his father eagerly, wanting to know more.

 

Chapter 494

Henry nods and looks consideringly at the kids. “Will you let me do a bit of research, son?” he asks, smiling at them, “and get back to you on it? I hate to be cryptic, but I want very much to make sure that I’m right before I send you on a wild goose chase.”

“I think that’s just fine,” I sigh, reaching down and gathering my daughter up into my arms as Rafe rolls over and starts to burble at Jesse, who gives a little squeak of happiness and starts to laugh, reaching to grab at his cousin’s shirt. “I don’t think I have the energy to hear anything new just now.”

“You’re right,” Cora sighs. “We should let you get some rest. But…could I just…”

And I look up to see my sister clutching her hands against her chest, biting her lip, clearly dying to hold the baby but not wanting to make me giver her up if I don’t want to.

“Cora!” I laugh, holding Ariel up, “of course you can!”

Cora sighs happily as she gathers Ariel into her arms, murmuring sweet things to her. Of course, she was holding Ariel before – but this time it’s as an aunt, not a doctor. “Hey, sweet baby Ariel,” Cora coos, smiling down at her first niece as tears gather in her eyes. “I’m so excited to meet you!” She leans forward and kisses Ariel on her head. ” I’m going to be your favorite,” she whispers.

“No way,” Roger counters, leaning close to study our little girl. “She’s going to be a daddy’s girl, so favorite clearly transfers to nearest uncle.”

Cora just rolls her eyes at him but I smile, loving it to see my family play- fight over who is going to love our daughter the most.

Cora and Roger take a few more minutes with Ariel before passing her to Henry, who rocks her gently as I lean my head against Sinclair.

“She’s very beautiful, Dominic, Ella,” Henry says, looking up at us with moist eyes. “How lucky you are.”

“We are lucky,” Sinclair agrees, leaning forward to scoop Rafe into his arms, as he’s getting a little rambunctious with Jesse. “Little family of four. Sounds familiar, dad?”

Henry grins at Sinclair but Roger just laughs, scooping up his own happy baby. “You know that makes you the girl in that scenario, right little brother?”

“And is that a bad thing?” I ask, raising my eyebrows at my brother-in- law as Henry hands Ariel back into my arms.

Roger laughs and blushes, instantly realizing his mistake.

“All of that ends right now,” I say, pointing my finger at the men in the family. “Ariel is going to have enough trouble growing up as the youngest girl cousin with Rafe and Jesse – I’m not going to tolerate any comments about what she can and can’t do because she’s a girl.”

Roger nods, smiling at me, on board with the plan. Sinclair surprises me, though, by sighing and turning towards the windows. “As progressive as we’d like to be,” he says quietly, “I do wonder how pigeon-holed she’s going to be by dint of being a Princess. The world will enjoy a tomboy Princess for a couple of years, if that’s how Ariel turns out to be, but eventually…I think our dear girl is going to face a lot of expectations regarding pretty smiles and silk dresses and tiaras.”

I sigh and lean closer to him as I realize that he’s right. Our family can only do so much – Ariel’s going to get all sorts of messages about who she’s supposed to be from the rest of the world as well as her family, just like the rest of us.

“We’ll just have to do our very best,” Cora says with a firm nod, and I turn to smile up at her.

“Actually,” Henry says, his voice considering. “Before you take your rest, Ella…”

“Hmm?” I ask, turning towards him, curious.

“Well,” he says, hesitating, looking me up and down and clearly assessing how presentable I am, “they have been waiting out there for hours.”

“Oh,” I say, my eyebrows going up as I turn towards the windows again, realizing that Henry is right. Our people – they’ve been gathered for a long time, hoping for a glimpse of her.

“She just gave birth,” Cora protests, putting her hands out, “Ella should be allowed to rest.”

“No, Henry’s right,” I say, working to sit up and swinging my feet over the edge of the bed. “They’ve all been so nice, wanting to see the baby – ”

“Ella,” Cora hesitates, her voice worried. “As your doctor – ”

“As a magical self-healer,” I say, my voice dry as I get to my feet, “I’m good, Cora, to go step onto the terrace for a moment. Will you help me put on something nice?”

“Something nice?” she gasps, her eyes going wide at the idea.

“Like a nice robe,” I say, rolling my eyes at her and handing the baby off to Sinclair. “Honestly, this whole thing will take four minutes, and then I’ll be back to bed!”

My sister rolls her eyes at me, clearly objecting to the plan, but three minutes later I’m dressed in a very pretty white robe, my hair neatly tied back, my crown perched on my head honestly as a practical afterthought rather than a serious accessory. My hair is not the neatest it’s ever been, and the crown functions as a very useful headband.

Sinclair passes the baby to me and wraps an arm around my waist, Rafe on his hip as we leave our bedroom. As we walk down the hall with Cora, Roger, Jesse, and Henry following close behind, I frown a bit at Sinclair’s crown and then Rafe’s – which he amazingly consents to wear.

“Ariel’s going to need a crown too,” I murmur, jealous for her sake. “She can have six, if she wants them,” my mate replies, smirking at me a little bit. “But if she’s as much of a tomboy as you’re projecting she’ll be, I don’t know if she’ll wear them.”

“True, ” I sigh, smiling down at my little girl and dBooks Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…

ropping yet another kiss to her perfect little head. “You be as girly as you want, little Princess,” I murmur to her, and she gives a fussy little scrunch of her face that makes me laugh as she passes sleepy vibes down our bond. “But yes, you’re going to get some pretty crowns. And mama will get more, all matching – ”

“All right,” Sinclair says, his voice dry. “This is starting to get expensive.”

“Don’t get cheap on us now, Sinclair,” I reply, bumping my shoulder into him as we reach the front of the palace, where the crowds are starting to shout. Guards have already started to line the terrace, so they know something is up.

“I would never,” Sinclair sighs, moving his hand from my waist to my shoulder and leaning down to press a quick kiss to my mouth. “Ready?” he asks, looking from me, to Ariel, to Rafe our whole little family.

“Ready,” I say with a nod, reaching out to swipe a quick finger down the length of Rafe’s perfect, chubby little cheek. He squeaks happily and bounces in his dad’s arm, waving at me. I blow him a quick kiss before turning towards the doors.

Sinclair gives a quick glance over his shoulder at his father, and the Duke and the Duchess with their son, and then, smiling, pushes the double doors open. Together, we all step outside.

 

Chapter 495

The crowds go absolutely wild as we walk into the sunlight and a huge smile bursts onto my face. Honestly, it was a little touch-and-go for a few months there, with the media continually debating if I was a good or a bad Queen after the murder on the front steps. But I laid low, and continued doing my best, and things have continually turned towards the people seeing that I only have their best interests at heart, and that I really do want to fight for the little guy.

Plus, I don’t think it hurts that I’m the mother of a super adorable little Prince, and that I’ve just given our nation its first Princess.

The crowd calls her name and I smile out at them, pleased and baffled about how they already know it. I look up at Sinclair, confused, but he just shrugs and smiles down at me.

Together, my little family and I step forward to the edge of the terrace and I boost the baby a little in my arms so that the crowd can see her. They go mad the moment their Princess’s face comes into sight, shouting that she’s beautiful and how glad they are to meet her.

I can’t help but laugh, a few tears coming to my eyes as I see my entire nation feeling precisely the way I do about my little girl. Just so, so thrilled that she’s finally here.

“And you thought Ariel wasn’t going to get as much as a fuss as Rafe,” Cora murmurs with a smirk, coming to my side. The crowd shouts when they see Jesse come forward too – the Little Duke is also a favorite.

“I know,” I laugh, turning to smile at my sister. “Poor Rafe got none of this.”

“But look at him now,” Cora says, leaning forward and pointing to my son. I turn to see my mate smiling down at Rafe, who is actually waving out at the people. I burst into laughter, because it’s so very Rafe. He loves to wave and say hello – he just has no idea that he’s saying hello to the thousands of people gathered on the streets.

Sinclair raise his hand and waves too, but I just smile and hold my baby close, peering down into her face. She scrunches and frowns for a moment before opening her eyes just a little bit, turning towards the noise of her people.

I laugh in delight, because even though I know she can’t see anything, it looks for all things like she’s trying to look and catch sight of them as much as they are of her. I hold her a little higher, murmuring into her ear all the things she could see if her eye were a little bit more developed, but she just gives a little baby sigh and closes her eyes again, pressing her face against me.

I grin but look up at my husband, because I know baby needs to get inside now. Her Princess duties are done and she’s hungry and needs some sleep. Sinclair nods to me, leaning forward to kiss me on the forehead, and then we give one last wave to the people before we turn inside.

“Come on, Roger,” Cora laughs, and I look over my shoulder to see her tugging him inside.

“No, this is fun,” he replies, his voice cheerful. “Give Jesse to me, we’re staying out – ”

“Ridiculous,” she sighs, but I can tell she thinks he’s funny. “Did you not get enough attention as a child?”

“Not nearly,” Roger sighs dramatically, “Dominic took it all from me when he was born it was very traumatic – ”

I grin and look up into Sinclair’s face in time to see him roll his eyes, but he doesn’t retort, and Henry just laughs behind us.

“You got plenty of attention, Roger,” Henry sighs as we head back to our living quarters. “Your mother couldn’t get enough of you – thought you were very funny.”

“Just like I can’t get enough of you,” I murmur to our sweet little Ariel, “Or you!” I say, reaching out to ruffle Rafe’s hair.

“What about me?” Sinclair asks as we reach our door, smiling at me as he pushes it open.

“Oh, now that you’ve given me two children, I’m totally done with you,” I say, looking up at him with wide earnest eyes, but not completely able to keep a straight face.

“Liar,” he laughs, tugging me close to his side with his free hand.

“All right, Ells,” Cora says, coming to my side and pressing a kiss to my cheek. “We’ll be just down the hall, yes? In case you need me?”

“Thank you, Cora,” I say, stepping away from Sinclair’s side as he says goodnight to his brother and father. While I don’t anticipate that I’ll need Cora tonight, it’s good to know I’ve got a doctor and a sister nearby.

She gives me an extra squeeze as I call goodbye to the rest of the Sinclairs and step into the room with my mate and my children. My children. Plural! I laugh in wonder for the joy of it.

“Happy?” Sinclair asks, smiling at me as he presses the door shut.

“Ecstatic,” I sigh, grinning at him before looking to the kids. “But also exhausted. And busy. Do you think you can get Rafe down, or at least distracted, while I get ready to feed Ariel?”

My mate smiles at me, taking a step closer and cupping my chin in his hand. “Did you hear that?” he asks.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“You just said the most beautiful sentence in the world,” he laughs, shaking his head down at me. “Asking me to take care of our son while you got ready to feed our daughter. Our family, Ella – not that it wasn’t before. But it’s growing – which is what we’ve always wanted.”

“I know,” I coo, pressing closer to him and biting my lip as I look up into his gorgeous face, my eyes shining. ” You’re right. It’s perfect.”

And my perfect mate smiles at me before dipping down and pressing a kiss to my mouth – so long that I sink into it, losing myself a little. So long that Rafe squeaks in protest, giving Sinclair’s chest a playful smack because he’s bored.

I burst into laughter again and pull away, murmuring my apologies to Rafe as I snatch the crown off his head. “So sorry, prince,” I say, wrinkling my nose at him as he giggles and reaches for the little circlet. “But you’re going to have to get used to sharing mommy and daddy.”

I move into the closet, pulling out a set of newborn pajamas and a sleep sack for Ariel, who I know is going to want a snooze very soon. She gives a few little fussy cries now, clearly hungry and not yet knowing how to communicate that desire down the bond.

“Poor daughter,” I sigh, changing her as fast as I can and then laying her down into Rafe’s old wheeled bassinet as I quickly change into something a little more comfortable and convenient for breastfeeding. “Just a minute, then we’ll get you settled.”

I do my very best to keep my word, making my way out of the closet in record time. I grin when I see that Sinclair is thanking one of the kitchen workers as they make their way out the door, having just delivered a cart full of food.

“Ah, Rafe’s favorite distraction,” I say, smiling at my mate and my son as I move to my nest and settle down in it, Ariel bundled cozily in my arms. ” Food!”

“He’s a hungry boy,” Sinclair says, smiling as Rafe does indeed reach for the tray, almost wiggling out of his dad’s arms as he does. “But half of this is for you!”

“Oh!” I say, genuinely surprised, and then I laugh and shake my head at myself, because of course I would forget to eat, so distracted am I by my love for my family. But I lean back against the pillows and tug my shirt up, getting a fussy Ariel ready for her second feeding before I think about feeding myself.

“Yes,” Sinclair murmurs, handing Rafe his favorite a slice of apple and wheeling the cart over to me. “I figured you would forget to eat.”

“I’m going to be forgetting a lot of stuff over the next week or so,” I murmur, relaxing back as Ariel latches and smiling down at her. “You’re going to be on overdriBooks Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…

ve, monitoring the nation as well as me.”

“Best duty I ever had,” he sighs, getting Rafe set up in the little pop-up highchair that we keep in the corner of the room, moving it close to me and setting some snacks out before him. I turn my head to smile at my son, glad that he’s close too.

“Do you think Ariel’s going to keep Rafe up all night?” I ask, suddenly curious. “She’s going to be up every couple of hours – ”

“Ella,” Sinclair says, interrupting my train of thought as he sits on the side of the bed and places a hand on my knee. ” I want to talk about all of that, of course. But you really, really need to tell me more about what happened when you were visited by the Dark God.”

“Oh,” I say, looking up at him with a little sadness in my face. Because it’s not that it’s left my mind precisely – I just…was really enjoying ignoring that and basking in the happiness of this moment.

“I know,” he sighs, leaning forward to stroke my face with his palm. “But it’s been killing me, my love. Please.”

“All right,” I reply, nodding, knowing that he needs to hear it all. And so I take a deep breath and launch into the tale.

 

Chapter 496

My mate listens carefully as I tell him, in full detail, everything that happened when the Dark God took me outside of time and gave our little daughter our gift. I mostly look down at her while I tell the story, wondering how this perfect, tiny little angel being could have an ounce of darkness in her.

But even as I wonder that, I consider what the Dark God told me that not everything that is in darkness is bad.

But is that just something he said to distract me, to make me more compliant to accept his “gift?”

Was it, as I suspected, a curse?

“And then I was back,” I say, looking up into Sinclair’s face as he listens closely. “And, obviously, distracted by the insane pain of childbirth.”

A smirk pulls at his lips then, but I can tell that my attempt at humor didn’t go very far towards distracting him. He’s quiet for a long moment, looking towards Rafe but really staring into space as he sorts through his thoughts.

I give him a second to work through it, but I interrupt when I can’t stand it any longer. “So?” I ask quietly. “What do you…think?”

“Well,” Sinclair sighs, turning his attention back to me and to our little girl, who eats hungrily, clearly not having lost her appetite after such a dramatic early encounter. “I certainly wish that the Dark God had simply sent a flower arrangement or a toy. But…I honestly don’t know. We need much more information before we can plan any sort of action.”

“Action?” I ask, a little confused.” What on earth can we do? It’s done, Dominic. Whatever the gift is,” I say, gesturing down at her, “she’s got it.”

“Yes,” Sinclair says, nodding as he sighs and lays himself down a bit on the bed so that he can rest his head against my knee, looking up at my face. “But there’s certainly more we can know. We can ask dad to do some research, see if there’s any precedent for this, if you’re all right with him knowing? And ask Cora to contact your mother, see if she has any insights?”

“Of course Henry can know,” I reply quietly. “And that’s a good idea, with Cora.” I sigh, frustrated with myself for not thinking it first, but Sinclair just sends a pulse of peace down the bond, encouraging me to forgive myself for being scatter-brained on this of all days. I’ve been through a lot, and even though I’m already healed thanks to mom’s gift, I’m still exhausted.

“We’ll work it through, though, Ella,” Sinclair says quietly, reaching his long arm up to tuck my hair behind my ear.

“My instinct still does tell me it’s not all wicked, Dominic,” I say sincerely, looking down into his face. “And with these gods, gut feelings…they tend to be important.”

“I believe you,” he says, his eyebrows going up. “I’d just like all the intel we can get.”

“Me too,” I say, giving him a little smile. But then, even despite my desire to keep pushing on this, my eyelids start to flutter. I blink hard, shaking my head, working to stay up.

“Oh, baby,” Sinclair murmurs, sitting up and leaning in to kiss me on my forehead. “You’re asleep on your feet. Or, well, your ass – but what’s the difference.”

I laugh and shake my head at him. “I need to stay awake till she’s done feeding,” I say with a yawn. “But then, yes, after that…we’re both going to need a nap. Right baby girl?”

Ariel ignores me, of course, continuing to eat. But I grin at her, stroking a hand over her perfect tiny head, loving the way her little fuzz of blonde hair tickles my palm.

“Well, you concentrate on that,” Sinclair says, moving a plate with a simple panini and a bottle of water to the bedside table next to me. “And eat if you can, yes? While you do that, I’ll get Rafe settled.”

I nod, finally starting to feel completely drained as the adrenaline of the day starts to slip from me. I take a lazy bite of my sandwich, barely tasting it as I switch breasts and let Ariel finish up. I’m hardly able to keep my eyes open about fifteen minutes later after Sinclair’s done moving around the room, getting Rafe settled in his playpen with some quiet toys and books and pulling Ariel’s basinet closet to my side.

I give a little squeak of protest when he takes her from my arms, not wanting to let her go, but Sinclair just laughs softly at me and murmurs that she’ll be right here at my side. I take one last peek at Ariel’s face and see that she, like me, is already basically asleep.

And then I yawn, and settle down, and finally completely pass out.

Of course, I barely sleep, because the baby gets me up every couple of hours needing to be fed again. The next day passes pretty much in a blur, with me catching sleep when I can and attending to Ariel when she needs it. I’m not in a total fog the whole time – I still spend time with my son and talk to my mate and admire my baby – but most of the time? Most of the time Ariel and I sleep.

Sinclair is a dream throughout that first crucial night, taking complete charge of my baby boy and allowing Ariel and I the space we need to get used to our new patterns. He spends time with her as well, of course, holding and talking to her while she’s awake and not eating, but I can tell that he’s exhausted too.

Not as exhausted as me – I definitely get to keep that title. But that first night – it’s not precisely easy on dads either, is it? Especially when you’ve got another little one, barely over a year old.

Which is why I’m surprised, frankly, when Cora, and Roger, and Jesse, and Henry all come trooping in the evening after Ariel was born.

“Oh!” I say, blinking at them and laughing, pleased. “Did – did I know you were coming?”

“Oh my god,” Sinclair says, turning to me and cocking his head to the side. ” Did I did I seriously forget to tell you?”

I burst into laughter as he slaps a hand to his face, and Roger and Henry join in.

“Always a rare pleasure to see you mess up, brother,” Roger says, wrapping an arm around his brother’s shoulders and giving him a squeeze. 66 Though I guess you’re forgiven for this one that first night is…a lot.”

“It certainly is,” Henry says, accepting a hug from his son as Cora comes over to give me a kiss, a perky Jesse sitting up in her arms and babbling with excitement as he looks around the room.

“Hey Cora,” I say, grinning at her. ” Hey, chatty!” I laugh, poking Jesse in the belly, Ariel in my arms. Rafe totters over and wraps an arm around her leg, smiling and reaching up for her or for Jesse – it’s not precisely clear which.

The greetings finished, I look around curiously at my family. “So, what did I miss?” I ask. “Why are we all here?”

“To talk about your new weird God encounter,” Roger says, grinning at me. “And our kids’ weird bond. Life’s been so fun since you joined the family, Ella – seriously, I don’t think I express my gratitude enough.”

“Always happy to keep it spicy, precisely for you, Roger,” I say, giving him a wink as I pull the covers of my nest aside, getting to my feet with Ariel cozy in my arms. Roger grins and gives me a nod. “Do we have…new information or something?” I ask, pushing my hair back over my shoulders.

“We do,” Henry says, nodding to me. ” Shall we go into the living room, where there’s room for us all to sit? It’s none of it bad news, but I think it would be best for us to have a chat.”

Anxiety rolls in me as I nod and gesture towards the door to the living room, looking to Sinclair with my apprehension pulsing down our bond.

“He’s not placating you,” Sinclair says, coming close to kiss me on the cheek and grab Rafe off of Cora’s leg, tossing him into the air as we make our way to the living room with our family. Rafe squeals with joy and I can’t help grinning at him. My little boy – already such a thrill seeker.

“All right,” I sigh, holding baby Ariel close to my chest as I follow my family through the door and shut it behind me. Then I curl up on my favorite place on the couch, Dominic in the corner behind me, and turn my attention to Henry.

Because he, I’m coming to realize, has been up all night as well gathering information. And he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t ready to share.

 

Chapter 497

I give Ariel one last kiss for luck and exhale a deep breath, focusing my eyes on Henry as I lean back against my mate, who wraps a supportive arm around me.

“Actually, Ella,” Cora says, and my eyes dart to her. She smiles and me from across the couch, her arms wrapped around her baby on her lap. ” I’m the one who has news first.”

“Oh,” I say, my eyes going wide as I shift a little to direct my attention to her now. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know – ”

She shakes her head, dismissing my apology as Roger comes to perch on the arm of the couch behind her. She reaches up a hand and he takes it, giving her a little squeeze.

“Um, we contacted mom this morning,” she says quietly, apology all over her face. “To…to ask about what the Dark God could have possibly been up to. I’m sorry we did it without you – I know you would have wanted to be there -”

“No,” I breathe, even though I am a little disappointed. “I mean, I wouldn’t have been able to see her anyway, right?”

“Yeah,” she says, cocking her head to the side. “Unless we go to the temple, it is sort of a…one-on-one experience, isn’t it?”

“But we can go,” Sinclair murmurs behind me, supportive, “if we don’t get the answers you need – ”

“It’s okay,” I say, nodding to everyone around the room. “I get it – you don’t need to be so gentle with me. I was completely knocked out from giving birth and we needed information fast. It’s okay. So…” I flick my fingers at my sister, smiling at her. “Please, divulge. I’m dying to know.”

“Well,” Cora says, laughing a little and glancing up at Roger. “Mom was not happy to hear that her boyfriend visited you.”

“Really?” I gasp, a little delighted at the immortal gossip.

“Really,” Cora confirms, her eyes going wide as a grin overtakes her face. “She figured that he knew about you, but she had no idea that he’d go so far as to bestow a gift on the baby behind her back.”

“Behind her back,” I repeat, shaking my head. “Wow. So? Did she say it was… dangerous?”

“She said that he didn’t have the balls to go that far,” Cora says, laughing and giving a little shrug. “Or, well, those weren’t her precise words – but that was the sentiment. That he’s just trying to get her attention and let her know that he’s pissed – but that he knows better than to truly mess with her lineage.”

“So,” I say, looking down at little Ariel who lays cuddled in my arms, drowsy but idly kicking her little feet. “It really was a gift?”

“Mom doesn’t know what it was,” Cora says, shaking her head. “But she… she said she can’t make him take it back, Ells. That immortal gifts they’re not like…presents you can return or regift. They become part of us.”

“That makes sense,” I sigh, hoisting my baby up closer. “Well, at least we know it’s not…bad.”

“Which doesn’t mean it’s good,” Sinclair grumbles behind me. Clearly, he wanted better news.

“There is some precedence,” Henry says, leaning forward in his chair and studying the baby as best he can. “The texts are old, but there are some that report on gifts given by both the Goddess and the Dark Lord. What is interesting is that they seem to be reliable – there is one text in particular that speaks of a

Goddess-given gift of healing that sounds quite a bit like yours, Ella,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me.

“Oh,” I say, perking up a little. “Well, that’s interesting. Would I be able to read that?”

“I’ll have it translated,” Henry says nodding, “and sent to you as soon as possible.”

“And what were some of the ‘gifts’ the Dark God has given?” Sinclair asks, his voice heavy and dubious on the word ” gift.”

“He doesn’t give everyday gifts like the Goddess does – her interests have always been more domestic, for lack of a better word. She deals with the heart and the home – assigning mates, healing the body, changing the weather to ensure good crops.” He nods to Cora and I as he lists our gifts and I turn my head, because he’s right – while Cora and I have used them in much different ways, they do seem to be gifts that could be used to build a family and keep it safe in hard times.

“And the dark god?” Sinclair presses, his voice a little annoyed in his anxiety now.

“He,” Henry says, shifting his eyes to his son now, “prefers…more sweeping magics. Not things that can or should be used every day. Things that…change the world.”

A shiver runs through me at this and I find myself holding my breath as I look down at my little girl.

“Change the world?” Sinclair asks, going tense behind me.

“The text reports that he once gave a man the gift of eclipse, allowing him to hold the moon’s shadow before the sun for days on end, only relenting when his enemies collapsed to his demands.”

We all go silent and still at this.

After a long moment, only Roger is bold enough to break the quiet of the room.

“What the hell, Ariel,” he breathes, leaning forward to stare at his niece.

A ridiculous little laugh bursts at me from this, and I shake my head as Cora and Sinclair and then Henry start to laugh as well. I shake my head at my brother-in-law, so grateful for him and his strange sense of humor, which revealed itself so late in the game.

“Seriously,” Roger says, sitting up straight and running his hand through his hair, looking at his niece with wide eyes. “She’s the littlest of all of us but it sounds like she’s going to have some serious power.”

“Well, we don’t know it’s going to be something like that,” I sigh, rolling my eyes and trying to shake the tension out of my shoulders. “It could be… something smaller. Maybe he’s just trying to get under mom’s skin.”

“Or up her skirt,” Roger murmurs, and I grin as Cora turns to smack him for speaking such blasphemy about our mother and a deity. Roger just wrinkles his nose at Cora as he grins and grabs his arm where she hit him, pretending that the blow stung when it clearly did not.

“So, Ariel is clearly the most powerful wolf amongst us,” I say with a sigh, propping her up a little in my arms so she can look around at the family. “So, she is the Alpha now.” Ariel, betraying my confidence, just gives a sleepy little mew, her eyelids fluttering shut as she snuggles back into my arm.

Cora laughs and I feel a little pulse of pride and pleasure down my bond with Sinclair.

“At least it means she’ll be able to stand up to her brother and her cousin,” Roger says, looking between the boys – Rafe toddling around on the floor and Jesse in Cora’s arms. “Though …none of them are very impressive just yet.”

“Do you think?” I ask, looking around at the group. “Does it…I mean, they all have gifts from mom, right? But will her being strong make the boys strong – through their bonds or something?”

“I don’t know,” Henry says, tilting his head and considering his grandchildren with interest.

“But,” Sinclair says, clearly thinking it through as he talks, “that’s not how bonds work, right? I mean, Cora and Ella are blessed with Goddess gifts, but Roger and I aren’t any stronger for it.”

I click my tongue, offended, and turn to glare at my mate over my shoulder. ” Excuse me, Dominic, but you have benefited many times from my gift – ”

“Yes, darling,” he says, rolling his eyes a little and shaking his head, “but you know what I mean. We aren’t physically stronger, or gifted ourselves.”

“True,” Cora says, looking between the two of them. “But…both of us did bond to extremely powerful Alpha wolves who just happen to be brothers “Baby,” Roger says, interrupting and beaming down at her, pressing a hand to his heart. “That is…the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me -”

“It’s just a fact, Roger,” she sighs, rolling her eyes, making me laugh.

“You think I’m powerful, and tough,” he whispers, sliding down the couch’s arm to squeeze in behind her, wrapping his arms around her and Jesse both, rocking them back and forth. Jesse squeaks and laughs as Cora tries to hold her own laughter back. “You’re amazed with me

“Oh god,” she sighs, even though her grin. “I take it back – ”

“Never, I’ll treasure this moment my whole life – ”

I’m shaking with laughter even as Sinclair raises his voice to cut through it.

“As amazing as this breakthrough is for the two of you,” he says, his voice not without humor, “what’s your point, Cora?”

“I don’t know,” she sighs, leaning contentedly back against Roger, who sweetly presses a kiss to her neck. “Just that perhaps there’s more to these bonds than just raw power being passed between them. I mean, I don’t think it’s really a chance that Ella and I figured out we’re sisters and ended up with brothers. We’re…kind of a powerful foursome, when we put our minds to it.”

I nod, considering that maybe Cora is right. That perhaps it’s less about the bonds themselves and instead what they create in combination.

“And those three,” Cora continues, gesturing between the children, ” they’re already bonded to each other, each with a goddess gift. And then Ariel with a Dark gift as well?” She shrugs. “I think, in combination, they could be… formidable.”

“Future of our nation, right here,” I say quietly, leaning to again kiss my little girl and reach out a hand to my son, who I suddenly want quite close. ” Whatever gifts they have, I hope they can be convinced to use them to protect themselves first, and then our people after that.”

Quietly, my family nods as we look around at each other. Because our family comes first – but our nation?

These children are going to have a huge role in it. I hold my breath a little, praying inwardly that we can raise them to be strong enough to use their gifts for good.

“Actually,” Henry says, making us all turn to him in surprise. “There’s some precedence there as well.”

And my eyebrows nearly shoot into my hairline. More news today?

I settle back against my mate, ready again to listen.

 

Chapter 498

Henry takes a deep breath then, looking between the children. “I have been very intrigued,” he begins, “by the idea that the children have bonds with each other – bonds like that between siblings and cousins, it’s unusual. Indeed, I thought it was unique, but it is not.”

My brows go up as I listen with interest.

“The children have created between them…something of a triangle,” Henry murmurs, looking between the three of them. “There have been rare examples of individuals having multiple fated mating bonds – my son, interestingly amongst them – ”

I lean back against my mate, who wraps his arm more tightly around me.

“But this,” Henry says, gesturing between Ariel, Rafe, and Jesse, “three people bonded together naturally, each to the other two.” He shakes his head. ” I have not yet found any examples of it happening naturally. Though there are those who have…forged such connections.”

“Really?” Roger asks, his eyebrows going up.

“Usually in religious ceremonies,” Henry says, folding his hands in his lap and looking around at us, “in the wilds of the north. Two people already bonded – either by fate or by choice, usually through a mating – would each either willingly or by obligation magically forge a bond with a third.”

“For what reason,” Cora asks, shaking her head. “Like…plural marriage? Or something?”

“No,” Henry replies, shaking his head at her. “This is usually done in communities where those who undergo the ceremony have long taken vows of chastity. No, they do it for the power that results from

the bond, which is said to be…unique.”

“This is so weird,” I murmur, looking down at my kids. I mean, I’m very aware that my children and my nephew are special, but…

“The magics of the north are strange,” Henry says on a sigh, shaking his head and giving a shrug. “They are also closed-mouthed regarding what the results of such bonding actually are. But I do imagine it’s closer to the kinds of powers wielded by the dark priests we spent so much of our time defying last year. Spells cast at a price, rather than goddess-given gifts freely used with little effort.”

“But since the bond between the kids was…natural,” Sinclair murmurs, speaking his thoughts aloud, “can we assume that whatever power results from them would…be easier to wield?”

“I have no idea,” Henry says on a sigh, smiling down at his grandsons and granddaughter again. “Though I hope for their sake that it is. Those forged bonds and the resulting magic – they didn’t come without a price.”

“Oh geeze,” I murmur, sighing and looking down at my precious new baby. She can barely stay awake, let alone wield great and powerful magics. ” What are you going to get up to, little girl?”

“All sorts of good things,” Sinclair murmurs to me, though I can hear the worry on in his voice.

“I’m sorry I don’t have more definitive answers,” Henry says on a sigh, his face truly apologetic.

“That’s all right, dad,” Roger says, smiling at him. “It’s more than we knew before. Besides – these kids, they’re going to have to lean how to figure it out.”

“And the Goddess said to trust them,” Cora says, shrugging and standing, hoisting Jesse up in her arms and smiling at him. “So, I’m just going to let them worry about it.”

I grin at my sister, realizing that this honestly is probably the best method. I mean we’re moms, there’s definitely no way we’re not going to worry. But what can we do? Cora and Roger are right – we just have to raise them well, and trust them to figure it out.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” I ask, sitting up straight as I see Roger get to his feet as well. “Don’t, stay! We can get food!” But I yawn even as I finish my sentence.

“We’re leaving,” Cora says, with a gentle smile, “because Jesse needs a nap, and so do you. And lil miss Princess over there is already asleep.”

I look down in my arms and realize that Cora’s right – Ariel’s drifted off without me noticing.

“Oh shoot,” I mutter. “I wanted to feed her…”

“We’ll leave you to it,” Cora says, leaning down and kissing me on the cheek. “I’m just a phone call away anything you need, sis.”

“Thanks, Cor,” I murmur, smiling at her and giving Roger a hug as well when he dips down to say goodbye to the baby. I wave to them as they pass out the door, Henry looking after them as they go.

“Will you stay at least, Henry?” I ask, leaning back against Sinclair.

“I’m afraid I should take my leave too,” he says as Rafe pushes to his feet and totters over him, reaching out his chubby arms and begging to be picked up. Henry laughs and obliges, lifting my little meatball into his lap. “That is, if this one will let me.”

“If he just sits on you,” I say dryly, ” you’ll be too heavy to roll out of here.”

“A fate I will happily accept,” Henry murmurs, turning Rafe on his lap and hugging him close, pressing his cheek to Rafe’s dark hair. “He is so like his father at this age. It’s like having my little boy back.”

My heart fills to hear Henry talk about Rafe that way, and I feel Sinclair’s own swell of emotion down our bond.

“That one, though,” Henry says, looking over at Ariel asleep in my arms. “She is very precious to me as well, because she is so unfamiliar.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, tilting my head in curiosity.

“I never had a daughter,” he sighs, staring at my little girl with her little fuzz of golden-white hair. Then he flicks his eyes to Sinclair. “Your mother and I tried for another – she wanted a little girl very badly, you know. But the Goddess decided that two was enough.”

“I didn’t know that,” Sinclair says, his voice a little thick with his emotion.

“Yes,” Henry says, raising his eyebrows as his gaze again falls to Ariel. “So, this one is the fulfilment of a wish made long a go for a little girl Sinclair. I always wondered what she looked like.”

I clench my teeth against the pricking of tears against my eyes, not wanting Henry to think that I’m sad or that I pity him. It’s just – I never knew he wanted that, never knew my sweet daughter would mean so much to him.

“Do you know,” Henry says, cocking his head, and I lean forward, listening intently. “I never thought she’d be a blonde.”

I burst into laughter at this, and so does my mate, and I wipe away the little tears that spill out from my eyes. ” Well, we don’t know if she’s going to stay blonde,” I say, grinning and shaking my head. “Her hair could get darker -”

“No, Ella,” Henry says, raising his eyes to me. “It is clear that this one is your daughter. She’ll have her mother’s beauty, which includes your unique hair. She’s a Sinclair in name… but she’s her mother born

again.”

“She’s got to have some part of me,” Sinclair murmurs, a little jealous, leaning forward to peer at her.

“Time will tell,” Henry says, leaning back in his chair. Rafe burbles something, looking up at his grandfather, who grins down at him and runs a hand over his head. “Either way, I am very glad to be their grandfather. I’m so pleased I’ll get to see them grow, Goddess willing.”

I nod, agreeing to the sentiment, thinking that the children are lucky to have such an eager and dedicated grandfather.

“I do wish,” Henry says, I think a little lost in his thoughts now, “that I were more able to play with them – could participate more in helping you raise them by getting down on the floor, running, walking. But,” he shrugs, ” when the children are big enough to stand on the back of the chair, at least they’ll always have someone to cart them around -”

“Oh my god,” I say, the words spilling out of my mouth. “Oh my god,” I sit up straight, staring at Henry, my eyes flicking to his legs – because honestly, I don’t even notice his chair anymore, or think of him at all as someone whose abilities are hindered.

Or of me as someone who is able to do anything about it.

Henry looks at me, his eyebrows going up in surprise as I hastily – but carefully pass Ariel into Sinclair’s arms, my mate looking at me curiously too.

“Henry,” I breathe, reaching for him, taking his hand. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner? Why didn’t – I’m so sorry – why didn’t I think of it – ”

“What are you talking about, Ella?” he asks, frowning at me a little. Even Rafe gives a curious little squeak.

“I’m so stupid,” I say, closing my eyes, frantically seeking my gift. “If I can heal you, why didn’t anyone -”

“Oh, Ella,” Henry says, drawing his hand out of mine. Shocked, I open my eyes, looking into his own. “Ella, my dear, I don’t think it works like that.”

“What?” I ask, surprised.

“I don’t think your gift can heal what has already healed,” he says, shaking his head at me. “A disability like this – it is not an injury. Your gift, from what I’ve learned from your using it, heals what is wrong with my body. But what happened to me so long ago – I’ve healed from it. My body is just different now – I’m not sick.”

“Oh,” I say, the logic of that hitting me like a slap in the face. I bite my lip though, dropping my eyes. “Well, would you let me try?”

“Of course, my dear,” he murmurs, giving me back his hand.

And so I close my eyes, and access my gift, and breathe softly as it sweeps through Henry. It knits up a few little things that I think are natural with age, but as it moves through him…

He’s right.

There’s nothing sick or injured about Henry’s legs or his spine. The wounds they healed long ago – perhaps not in the way we would have liked but…his body already did the work my gift would have done, as best it could.

Disappointment must be all over my face, because when I open my eyes Henry clucks his tongue and moves his chair closer, cupping my cheek in his palm. “Thank you for wanting to try, Ella. But really – I

am not unhappy with my life in this chair. I am a blessed man and as much as I would have liked to run with my grandchildren… well, I’m a bit old for that anymore anyway, aren’t I?”

“You are not,” I say, scrunching my nose at him.

“Well,” Henry laughs, grinning at me as Sinclair sits forward, pressing himself close to my side. “At least I can roll with them, which is probably just as good.”

I smile at him, nodding and leaning back to rest my head on Sinclair’s shoulder as I do.

“You’re going to be the best grandfather, Henry,” I say, sighing a little as I smile at him. “They’re lucky to have you.”

“And I them,” he says, grinning down at Rafe and giving my son a wink. ”

What do you think, little boy? Should we roll to the kitchens? Get a snack?”

In response to his fifth favorite word – only behind Mama, Papa, Jesse, and breakfast – Rafe’s little face lights up and he throws his hands in the air, giving an excited squeak. We all laugh and Henry raises an eyebrow at us. When Sinclair nods his assent, Rafe and his grandfather roll away, off on a little adventure.

And I lean back against my mate, holding my lucky little girl tight in my arms.

 

Chapter 499

Three weeks later – Ariel was born under a waning quarter moon, not a new moon like her brother and her cousin – I stand anxiously in the woods, my little girl held tight in my arms.

“I’m sensing some anxiety,” Cora says, grinning at me with a little too much glee as she comes up to my side, dressed in a gorgeous silver gown, Jesse awake and interested on her hip.

“I wasn’t anxious like this when Rafe went in,” I sigh, reaching out to touch Jesse’s nose with my fingertip, making him giggle. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I was anxious – but it’s this one’s complicated little portent that has me all worked up.”

“I know,” Cora says, wrinkling her nose at me wickedly. “I can’t wait – the payback is real-”

“Don’t you dare,” I say, glaring at her and pointing a finger at her. “You’re trying to deliberately jinx my daughter just because your Jesse has some weird shadow magic coming his way – ”

“I would never!” Cora says, laughing and swatting my finger away. “I just like teasing you, Ella. Hear that, Ariel?” she says, leaning over to grin at her goddaughter. “I hope that your future comes out nice and safe and boring, for your mother’s sake.”

“Oh, hold your tongue,” I mutter, scowling and moving Ariel away from her aunt. “I don’t want her life to be boring, I just want…” I sigh, looking down at the little girl who has my whole heart. “I just want it all to be very good, and for her to be safe…but also to have some adventures along the way.”

“A big ask,” Sinclair says, ambling over to my side with a glass of champagne in one hand, Rafe perched on his hip. “Especially for a little girl named Baby Trouble.”

I grin when I hear the nickname, considering that…well, it’s a little bit true, even if the name so far has been a bit of a joke.

Honestly, we’ve called her Ariel very little she’s.baby trouble, most of the time. Or Princess Trouble. Or Princess Baby Bubble Trouble. Or whatever combination thereof inspires us at the moment. And, well, she hasn’t really lived up to it – not yet. Rafe – he was a tough newborn, at least for the first two weeks. But Ariel?

God, she’s been a little bit of a dream.

I can only hope that her nickname continues to be ironic for the rest of her days, but I know that’s too much to hope for.

Rafe eagerly leans forward from his father’s hip, reaching for his sister, spitting out an excited series of syllables that all start with “ba!”

“You like your sister, little guy?” Cora says, laughing and putting a hand on Rafe’s chest to keep him from excitedly spilling out of his father’s arms.

“We think he’s trying to say baby,” I say, grinning at my boy, pleasure and pride filling me from head to toe. I mean – I know every mom is proud of her children. But Rafe – he really is such a sweet baby and a clever boy, always wanting to be close to me, close to Ariel.

And his dad too, of course but Rafe and me? We’ve really got a special bond.

“All right,” Roger says, his own baby on his arm and glass of champagne in his hand, just like his brother. “Almost time! Are we ready to do this?”

“Don’t talk about it like a sports match, Roger,” I say, raising my chin at him jokingly. “It’s a sacred ritual. Please act with the gravity it deserves.”

“It’s our third one, Ella,” Roger says, playfully rolling his eyes at me. “It’s getting old – ”

“You’re fated to be the father of like six kids, Roger,” I say, rolling my eyes at him right back. “Tell me that when we get to your sixth baptism – ”

“At that point we’re just going to wander into the back yard in our pajamas,” he murmurs, nodding first towards the baby in my arms and then to Cora, silently indicating that I should hand her over. “We’re going to drink beer and hold the baby out to the moon on a dish towel, use a plastic baby pool instead of the sacred pond -”

“We are not,” Cora scoffs, gently taking Ariel into her arms as Sinclair and I laugh. Roger grins, leaning forward to kiss me on the cheek before passing Jesse to me.

“You know I’m kidding, right, Ells?” he whispers.

I smile at my brother-in-law and gently pat his cheek. “When in doubt, Roger,” I sigh, “I always assume you’re kidding.”

“This is why you’re my favorite sister- in-law,” he says, ruffling Jesse’s hair before turning towards the Goddess’ priestess, who begins to call everyone to order. “Now, let’s get this party started!”

Cora

I smile down at my perfect little niece, who is looking around the dark forest with interest. “Ready to meet your granny, little girl?” I whisper to her, holding her close and kissing her forehead. “She’s excited to meet you, she told me so.”

Ariel gives a little squeak, which sounds so much like a response that it makes me laugh.

Roger laughs too, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Remember the last time we were out here?” he murmurs, and I look up at him.

“Yup,” I say, grinning. “We fought the whole time. I was completely ready to shove you into that pond.”

“Oh, right back at you,” he says, nodding fervently. “It was either that, or grab you and kiss you – I didn’t know which I wanted more. Maybe both shove you into the pond, dive in after you, grab you, kiss you until we both drowned…”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Well, we know which one you settled on, in the end.”

“Well you were crying so much,” he says, rolling his eyes in pretend exhaustion, “I didn’t know how else to get you to stop -”

“Oh, you idiot,” I sigh, laughing and stopping for a second, wrapping my hand around the lapel of his suit jacket and pulling him to me. “Can’t you just for once say something nice?”

“What do you want to hear, Cora?” he asks, smirking down at me and taking my face between his hands. “That it was the happiest moment of my life to that point? That I’d been waiting to kiss you for months, and that afterwards I had to actively stop myself from grabbing you and kissing you every time you walked into a room?”

My smile grows. “Something like that,” I murmur, and I tug on his coat just a little, pulling him down for our second kiss in this forest – which is just as good as the first.

“I love you so much, Cora,” he sighs when he pulls away, his eyelids heavy as he stares down into my face.

“I love you too, Roger,” I say, smiling up at him, passing every ounce of love I feel down our bond so he knows I mean it. Because we tease – but god, do I love this man.

Roger leans in for another kiss, but a silver light flares at the edge of my vision.

“Oh,” I say, my eyebrows going up as I adjust the baby in my arms and turn towards the light. “I think mom is getting impatient.”

“Well then,” Roger says, his arm still around my shoulder, “let’s not keep the Goddess waiting.”

So together, my mate and I carry our little goddaughter forward to the edge of the pool that forms through the trees. I smile to see that this one is different surrounded by rocks this time, a tiny waterfall splashing into it at the edge. Secretive and peaceful, like a hidden hot spring.

Roger nods to me and I step forward, holding unwrapping the baby and holding her out into the moonlight that floods into the grove from above. And then he and I say the sacred words, dedicating our sweet Ariel to her grandmother the Goddess, pledging to love and protect her all our lives.

The moonlight grows brighter as we speak, and I feel a warmth and contentment fill me that I know comes from my mother, who is truly pleased with her granddaughter.

When the words are done, our attention shifts, because – as it did before – the premonition starts to take shape in the air above the water. And as we watch, Roger and my eyes go wide.

 

Chapter 500

The images of Ariel’s future come in quick flashes, and somehow I get the impression that the Goddess is eager to share these glimpses of her life.

The ones that come first are what I sort of expected, especially after seeing some images of Rafe’s childhood and hearing about the ones that Ella and Sinclair saw during Jesse’s baptism. But these ones focus on an angelic little girl with rose-gold hair who is just… ridiculously happy.

My ears fill almost instantly with tears to see her running and playing with the boys who are so clearly Rafe and Jesse. Ariel – she’s always at the center of their games, always laughing so heartily her eyes are barely open above her rosy cheeks. In one flash, Jesse’s climbed up onto the branch of a tree and is reaching a hand down for her as Rafe boosts her up from below. In another, Ariel is cuddled between her brother and her cousin, all wrapped up in a big blanket as the three sit around a campfire, their eyes wide and bright as they roast marshmallows and look with awe up at Roger, who is clearly in the midst of telling a scary story.

Roger laughs beside me at the sight and I press myself close to them as we get more insight into her life as she grows older, her teenager years as she becomes the Nation’s princess, as she grows into a beautiful, graceful young woman but still one full of pranks, running through the halls of the palace with her brother and Jesse chasing behind.

And then I gasp, a little, to see our little girl dressed as a bride –

My hand goes to my mouth- because she looks so young and so afraid –

My stomach drops when I see her what looks like a moment later, her back pressed to a door as she sobs in her wedding gown as two young men who are so clearly my son and my nephew jump to her side.

The images move faster than I can truly process them next, but my hand falls from my mouth, and my jaw drops in awe as I realize that

That she didn’t get married after all, but instead that she ran, that she’s…

She’s with Jesse and Rafe, as they attend some kind of military school dressed up in fatigues, her hair tucked up beneath a cap, looking for anything like…like a boy…

“Oh my god,” I mutter, and then I laugh because it just gets stranger after that-

Ariel, mixing potions in a chemistry class, her eyes going wide as one goes awry and explodes in front of her –

Ariel, an expert sniper, crouching on top of a tower and hitting the bullseye of a target that must be half a mile away

Ariel, curled up in a chair by the fire, sitting in the lap of a very handsome young man whose jaw could cut glass and whose adorable dimples are

And joy swells in me, because I know it instantly, that that boy – he’s her mate

But then I gasp again because the image changes – and Ariel is looking up at another young man powerfully built, scowling down at her in some hallway made of stone, but she shoves him, hard, and whips a finger up to point in his face, a defiant snarl on her lips, looking so much like her mother –

And even as a shocked little laugh spills from my mouth, anxiety twists in my stomach, because I know…

I know just as much as I did with the first boy, that this one – he’s her mate too.

I can’t help it then, I look down at my little baby niece, who burbles and looks up at the moon –

Two fated mates, just like her father…

And suddenly, what the Goddess said to me in my living room that day so many months ago…

It makes…so much sense.

My eyes move back to the images, which fly by even faster now – too swift to catch them all – and I see of our children training hard, laughing together, working to build their lives and help each other and serve our nation –

The last image, though, lingers.

Ariel, with Rafe and Jesse on either side as they always are and her two mates behind her. All standing together on a battlefield with Ariel at the center, magic welling between her hands and passing to her brother, to her cousin.

Their faces are serious as they look at something gathering above them some force I cannot see.

And then…

The image disperses. It disappears.

Roger and I stay still for a long moment, and I’m only shaken out of it by a little mewling cry from Ariel’s tiny mouth.

“Poor baby, you must be cold,” I murmur, pulling her close and wrapping her up in her blanket. Ariel tacks her little head against me, closing her eyes and opening her mouth in a wide yawn.

“Wow,” Roger murmurs as he stares down at our niece. “Wow, I was not expecting that…”

I laugh a little, looking up at him and shaking my head. “Neither was I.”

“Damn, Ariel,” he says, laughing and running a shocked hand through his hair. “Looks like you’ve got one hell of a story to tell.”

“Come on, baby,” I say, laughing and shaking my head at her. “Let’s go tell your mom…only the things she absolutely needs to know.”

“Really?” Roger asks, raising his eyebrows at me.

“What are aunties for?” I say, shrugging and smirking at him. “A girl’s got to have someone to keep her secrets.”

He laughs, wrapping an arm around me as we turn back. But before we go I cast one more look over my shoulder, smiling up at the moon and sending a mental thank-you to my mother for her gift, for this glimpse of the future.

And the moonlight flares, just once, and I smile. Because I know she heard.

Ella

“Oh, they’re back, they’re back!” I gasp, shoving my half-drunk glass of champagne onto a table and rushing forward when I see Cora and Roger emerging from the dark of the woods with Ariel sleeping in Cora’s arms. Our gathered family and friends shout a cheer, welcoming them back.

Cora smiles at me, her expression warm and rich as I hurry to her.

“Tell me everything,” I gasp, taking ny baby back and cooing to her as I rest her little head in the crook of my elbow, gazing down at her perfect, sleeping face.

“Well wait for me,” Sinclair says, laughing as he comes to join our little circle with Jesse on one hip and Rafe on the other. “Honestly, Ella, I’m her parent too – ”

“You should have been faster then,” I say, rolling my eyes at him.

“I’m carrying two kids – ”

But I just ignore him and turning back to Cora. “Go! Spill!”

“I don’t know, Ells,” she says, smiling at me and reaching to take Jesse from Sinclair. “Honestly, as a mother? I’m not sure you want to know.”

My face goes pale with shock and terror and Roger scowls at his mate.

“Cora, don’t say it like that,” he says, giving her a half-hearted glare before reaching out a hand and placing it on my shoulder. “Seriously, Ella, it was all fine – there’s nothing bad. I mean, both Jesse and Rafe showed us that there’s a war coming – and that affects Ariel’s life, as it will all of ours. But seriously – all good news from the Goddess. She’s going to have an incredible life.”

“Really?” I gasp, holding my daughter tight, and looking between my sister and her mate. “You wouldn’t lie to me? It’s really all okay?”

“It is,” Cora says, laughing and reaching out to gently touch my cheek.

I exhale a huge sigh of relief, looking down at my little girl. “You had me scared, baby trouble,” I murmur, tracing a finger over her soft little cheek. But then my mind traces back to what Cora said. “Wait,” I say, my head whipping back up. “What wouldn’t I want to know as a mother!?”

“I mean, I’ll tell you sis – but aren’t there some things a mom should be in the dark about?” Cora asks.

I tilt my head back and groan, honestly not knowing. “I don’t know, Cora – are there!?”

She laughs and I look first at Sinclair, who shrugs, and then back at my sister.

“Come on,” Roger says, nodding at the crowds of people waiting to congratulate us and at the small table of refreshments. “Let’s decide this over some champagne.”

Sinclair nods at me and I sigh, moving with my family and pondering my choices as we accept the congratulations of our friends and let Henry hold the baby for a while, filling him in on the good omens that the Goddess has given us about her future.

“All right,” I say, sidling up to Cora, my eyes on the baby in her grandfather’s arms. “If you think it’s going to stress me out…don’t tell me. But…give me a hint. Is it…like, illness? Or is she lonely? Oh, I really don’t want her to be lonely. Or -”

“It’s none of that, Ella,” Cora says, her eyes sparkling as she smiles at me. ” She’s a really happy kid, and her early life she really loves it. She and Jesse and Rafe are all best friends and they stay together through their twenties, at least.”

“So,” I say, cocking my head and studying her. “What…”

“Let’s just say,” Cora says, her grin widening, “that your little girl? Her love life is…tumultuous.”

“Oh my god,” I groan, but I’m laughing as I cover my face with my hands and tilt it back to the sky. Because that? A little heartbreak, a little drama? I mean, Cora’s right – I’m not sure I want to know the details. But that I can handle.

As I pull my hands away from my face, I look upwards through the trees where the moon peeks through the leaves. ” Oh mom,” I say, shaking my head a little. “What do you have in store for my little girl?”

“A lot,” Cora says, laughing and sipping at her champagne, Jesse leaning his sleepy head against her shoulder.

“So…” I say, stepping close and whispering – not really wanting Sinclair to hear because something in me tells me that this Alpha dad is not ready to hear about his three-week-old daughter’s future love life – “is she… did you see? Does she have a mate?”

Cora’s smile is bright, but a little wicked. I turn my head, curious. “Yes, Ella,” she says, nodding happily, “your little girl…she’s mated.”

I give a little squeak of joy, my face bursting into a grin as I step closer. “Is he…is he cute?!”

“Really cute,” Cora says, stepping close to share the secret and wrinkling her nose as she dishes. “Like really cute, Ella – big time – ”

I squeak again, turning in a happy little circle. “So, did you get to see…I mean, like a timeline for when she meets him!?”

Cora just shakes her head, though. “I don’t think I should say anymore,” she says, giving a shrug. “I mean, I will if you want me to, Ella, but…” she turns her smile now on our little girl. “I think …maybe just let her live her life. Don’t you want to be surprised?”

“Yes,” I sigh, leaning against my sister’s other shoulder with a scowl, even though happiness races through me. “I hate it when you’re all wise.”

“It’s the burden I bear,” she sighs, resting her head against mine. ” Because if you don’t know, that means you don’t have to keep the secret from Sinclair. Because if he knows?” she blows out a breath. “Ella, if he knew what I know, he’d lock her up in a tower. Like a princess in a fairytale.”

“Damn,” I say, pursing my lips, even though I can’t help being excited for my girl’s future even if I’m also very willing to save all of that drama for twenty years. “Baby trouble is right.”

“Baby trouble,” Cora says with a sigh, nodding, “is absolutely right.”