Three Years Later
Thunder rumbled over the mountains as dark storm clouds grew, coming closer to the castle. I’d awakened to the soft grumbling of the sky and reached an arm out to seek my wife at my side, but the bed was conspicuously empty. It was warm still, so she hadn’t been up for long. I stretched as I sat up, scratching at the scruff on my face. Spring had come and brought with it the rain we’d been waiting on for the newly planted fields.
Since the war had ended, the lands had been slowly repairing themselves and coming back to life with new vigor. I worried Baladon’s darkness had poisoned the ground for crops, but the year before, everything came up as if nothing happened. Though of course, it had. A monument had been built in each kingdom in remembrance of those who fought and died to save us all. And to remember the sacrifice given by a goddess, a seer, and the Vindicar.
Mori had lost her immortality, and her starlight was slowly diminishing with each passing day. It didn’t seem to bother her, though. She was happy, told me so any time I glanced at her worry at the back of my mind.
Sabella had lost her goddess half as well, and was merely a seer now, though the last time I checked in with Tristan, her visions were few and far in between. It was a relief for both of them, especially with the current state Sabella was in. Pregnant with their first child. Tristan was a nervous wreck half the time.
Kate was still a Darrah, but the Vindicar was no more. They’d each lost a bit of themselves that day, but what they gained in return was so much more.
I dressed in a shirt and breeches, leaving our chambers barefoot as I strolled through the castle, in no hurry to find Mori. I felt her presence close by, most likely out in the greenhouse. We’d spent some time in her realm, too, a realm now open, for all to come and go as they pleased.
“Morning, Uncle,” I greeted Keanu as I entered the hall, finding him and several other occupants of the castle enjoying breakfast.
“My King,” he said and poured me a cup of coffee. “Have you lost your wife again?”
“It would appear so. Have you seen her by chance?”
“She said something about the greenhouse. Oh, and wanted me to remind you that you have visitors arriving today.”
I frowned over my mug until I remembered our plans to host the other monarchs, including the new elf king and queen, two elven warriors who had been selected to rule in Drake and Ashan’s place after their unfortunate deaths.
“And when are they arriving?”
Keanu chuckled. “A few hours. You have time.”
“Yes, I do.” Taking my coffee with me, I left the hall and went to the doors leading outside. Rain pattered the dry ground, and I hurried across the courtyard to the greenhouse, making it to the door just as the skies opened up and rain poured from the heavy clouds. It tapped against the glass roof, and I didn’t have to walk too far inside before I found Mori, her head tilted back as she stared up at the drops. “Something you had to do so early this morning?”
“It’s a perfect morning, didn’t want to waste it.”
“You always did love storms,” I whispered as I kissed the top of her head. “Nothing else troubling you?”
Her eyes widened just enough for me to know there was something. She’d been quieter than normal the last few days and tried to turn away from me now. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Mori, it’s a bit early. Just help a dragon out here and tell me? Please?”
“I was going to wait until the others arrived, but think you’d be mad if I dropped this news on you in front of them all.”
I set my mug down, on the verge of panicking, the longer she kept me waiting. “Is it your starlight? Something else wrong from the war?”
“No, nothing like that. I uh… I’m…” She mumbled something to herself, then took my hands and placed them on her stomach and grinned up at me. “Get ready to join the worry wart father club on top of the panicking husbands club.”
I blinked quickly, glancing down at my hands on her stomach, then back to her face. “You’re… we’re… truly?”
“Yes,” she laughed as I hugged her to me. “Yes, we are.”
“Holy shit,” I mumbled.
“I had the same reaction a few weeks ago.”
“Weeks. You knew for weeks and didn’t tell me?”
She shrugged. “I wanted to be certain, and I’ll admit I was a little worried how you’d take it. Tristan’s being a bit overbearing. And you guys, well, you’re all the same in that department.”
I nodded along with her, already wondering how much of a pain it was going to be over the next eight months, making sure she didn’t do anything crazy. But the smile on my face only grew wider. We’d talked about starting a family at some point, and now it was happening. I couldn’t wait to tell the others, but was happy she told me first. I swept her up into my arms, kissing her as the storm played on around us.
Eventually, we made it back inside and got ready for our royal visitors. It took longer than normal, what with my stopping her every few seconds just to hug her. She did have a certain glow about her I’d thought was just her starlight being brighter than normal.
My excitement fluctuated from nervousness and back again until I found myself pacing the entrance hall anxiously. At the sound of horses in the courtyard, my head shot up.
Two toddlers ran inside, giggling and laughing as they tripped over each other to get to me.
“Uncle Forrest!” the little boy yelled, his twin sister right on his heels.
I bent down and scooped them both up into a bear hug, spinning them around and around as Kate and Craig caught up, shaking out the rain from their hair and clothes
“What are you feeding them?” I asked. “They’re so heavy.”
“They’re growing up so damned fast,” Craig agreed, grinning proudly at his two children. Lucy and Bernard, though we all called him Bear. “No Sabella and Tristan yet?”
“Not yet, sure they’ll be here shortly.”
I set the twins down and shook hands with Craig, then pulled Kate into a hug.
We all got together at least once a month, usually more, unless we were busy with planting or harvests. Mori called out to Kate, and the two hugged, talking rapidly as they meandered toward the hall, Lucy and Bear in tow.
“Man, I still can’t believe I have twins,” Craig admitted.
“There are mornings I wake up and still think we’re at war,” I told him.
“Mori having nightmares still?”
“No, thank the gods, they’ve finally stopped.” I glanced toward the hall, expecting she would want to make the announcement herself, but I couldn’t’ keep it to myself any longer. “And we have some news of our own it seems.” I grinned.
“News?” Tristan and Sabella rushed up the steps.
“Something good I hope,” Sabella said, holding her very pregnant belly. “Mori and Kate?”
“Hall,” I told her, “and yes, good news. I’m sure she’ll tell you once you’re in there.”
She waddled away. Tristan watched her with a look of concern I had a feeling I’d be showing fairly soon myself.
“So, this news of yours,” Craig asked, “what is it?”
“Well, we, uh… we’re going to have a baby.”
Tristan and Craig broke into grins and just as they both hugged me, high-pitched squeals of excitement resounded from the hall. Mori must’ve just told Kate and Sabella.
“Well now, our family just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Craig stated.
“You ready for fatherhood?” Tristan asked.
“Gods no, but I think I am ready for another adventure with Mori,” I told them both as we reached the hall doorway.
Mori’s eyes met mine, and I felt immediately surrounded by the love that bound us together.
The six of us had been alone, and somehow, one by one, we found each other.
I reached up and touched the tattoo under my collarbone, mirroring Mori as she did the same.
It warmed for a heartbeat, and her eyes sparkled with starlight.
Oh yes, I was definitely ready for another adventure, especially with Mori at my side for the rest of our days.
Keep reading for an excerpt from another Kit Bladegrave series!