Page 59 of My Eternal Light

Together the kids marched comically into the sitting room and shut the door.

“Oh, thank fuck you got here,” Meryn whispered.

Around the main dining table most of the adults were rubbing their temples. Meryn simply had her cheek on the table. “I’m never having kids,” she mumbled.

Amelia, looking pale, shook her head. “You know darn well it’s too late for that.”

“One and done,” Meryn sat up. “Ryuu, I need coffee or I’m gonna lose my shit.”

Ryuu placed a hand on her head. “I sent Izzy into the kitchen when Lady Zadie appeared. I expect she is needing her coffee as well.”

“Ryuu, I’d kiss you, but newly mated at all,” Zadie said, taking an empty chair.

Kincaid kissed her instead. “There’s your kiss.” He sat down next to her, then looked around. “Why does everyone look so worn?”

The queen and Kincaid’s mother smiled.

His mother answered. “The children were up at dawn. Most got nervous being alone, so they went knocking on doors to find Mr. Kincaid, Mr. Aiden Mr. Darian and Auntie Brie.”

“Oh, no. I told them I’d be there for them,” Kincaid said, looking regretful.

Aiden yawned. “We all did. I don’t think we anticipated them being up at five in the morning.”

“Auntie, whatever you were going to offer her, double no… quadruple it if she can get the kids settled in the house by tonight,” Meryn begged, bleary eyed.

“Yes, darling,” the queen said, still trying to hide her smile.

Kincaid’s father turned to his son. “There’s something we’d like to ask you about that.” He turned to his mate who nodded encouragingly. He continued. “The queen has offered us a position in House Eirson to act as house parents. It’s an extremely generous offer, but we won’t entertain it if you feel like having your parents here will encroach on your freedoms.”

Kincaid’s eyes went wide, and he turned to the queen. “Are you serious?”

The queen set her teacup down. “I cannot help but feel that the entire situation is serendipitous. You and your mate will be working out of House Eirson, and you can see your family whenever you wish. Most of all, everyone will be safe.” She turned to his mother. “You are uniquely qualified having raised or are currently raising so many children in our world. Kincaid is one of our most talented and highest ranked warriors we have. You obviously did your job well.”

Michaela sighed. “You wouldn’t know looking at our girls.”

Jessup chuckled. “They’re just full of energy. Look how well they responded to Zadie. She will provide them with structure, and we’ll reinforce it in their daily lives. Besides, they aren’t the babies anymore,” he teased, pointing to the infants Anne, Cas, Brie, Zoe and Amelia were cuddling.

Zadie turned to the queen. “We will need to bring in at least four others dedicated to the infants. Michaela and Jessup will be more than busy with the kids who can run around. I’d recommend a daytime and nighttime schedule until they’re older.”

The queen nodded. “I agree. I have reached out to someone I thought would be helpful. I was hoping you’d be able to meet with them this afternoon.”

“Who did you ask, mother?” Darian asked.

“Kyla Vi’Aileanach. She is still mourning her sister, so I think helping with the infants would help.”

“Won’t she be kinda mad that the kids are Eirsons, and their dads killed her sister?” Meryn asked.

The queen frowned. “It is my hope that she will be able to rise above that.”

“Would you blame infants, Meryn?” Zadie asked.

“Depends on how fucking loud they are,” she retorted.

Aiden rubbed her back. “She isn’t having a good morning.”

“We didn’t get up in the ‘morning’. We got up at night. I can stay up ‘til five in the morning, but getting up at five is like cruel and unusual punishment.”

Jessup looked to his mate. “Do you want to tell her or should I?”

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