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“I don’t know.”

“Would you like to try a little something?”

“Maybe later. I really just need to rest.”

Bart nodded, then set the water down beside the pitcher he’d poured it from. When he turned back to her, her eyes were closed again and she was still and quiet. He went back to his chair and sat down, patiently waiting for her to wake the next time.

After about five minutes he looked up suddenly when he heard her voice.

“You’re forgiven. You don’t have to stay here.”

“Yes, I do. You’re the only thing that matters to me. Whatever it takes, I’ll earn your trust again. I will never let you down again. Every moment of your life, when you open youreyes, or look to your left or your right, it will be me standing there. You’ll see. I’ll always be beside you.”

Mirilla opened her eyes and looked tiredly at him once more. She really hoped he was right. She loved him as much as she always had, but the bruises on her heart were still very evident. Hopefully, he’d be able to help her heal them. Until then, all she could do was give him a chance. She closed her eyes and eventually fell asleep, knowing he was sitting right there, keeping her safe. When she realized that him being there made her feel more secure hit her consciously, she smiled slightly. They’d be alright, eventually. She peeked at him from beneath her lashes and found him leaning on the edge of her bed, watching her sleep. For now, though, it was enough to know he was here.

~~~

Alexandrus, true to Cruestaci expectations, lay on a soft blanket spread across the white grasses outside the palace, perfectly holding his head up, his little fists grabbing the blanket and pulling himself forward. He was already the size of an eight month old human child.

“Do you see that? He’s barely two months old! He’s not supposed to be that strong or that active yet!” She watched as her son gritted the little teeth he was born with and grabbed another handful of blanket to pull himself toward the edge with. She nodded aggressively. “Yep. He’s special. He’s the strongest baby ever!”

Quin laughed. “Vivi, all Cruestaci younglings have this strength. Even the females duplicate this behavior.”

Vivian shot him a look that said, I don’t think so.

“But our Alexandrus is the strongest of all. I will admit that,” Quin said grinning at his Ehlealah.

“You see it, too!” she exclaimed happily.

Quin laughed then reached out a hand to tickle the bottom of Alexandrus’ foot.

Alexandrus turned his head to look over his shoulder and snapped his teeth at his father while kicking his little feet.

Quin got a kick out of the little threats his son never failed to throw at anyone who got too close, except for his mother. He loved his mother and never even snapped at her. The most unpleasantness he’d send her way was a grumble to let her know he was unhappy with something.

“You have visitors,” Rel said.

Quin looked up to see who was approaching, yet didn’t alarm Vivian’s guards enough to make them move closer in to the family.

“Look, Ehlealah. Ours is not the only youngling.”

Vivian glanced up toward the front of the palace, but didn’t see anyone.

“There,” Quin said, pointing into the distance.

“Oh, my gosh! Kitty!” she exclaimed.

She got up and hurried toward Kitty, who was working his way toward them with a kitten in his mouth and two more following behind. When she got close to him, she paused to give him the choice of whether or not he’d introduce his kittens to her. He stopped long enough to bump his head against her thighs and purr at her.

Vivian scratched his head behind his ears, knowing that he loved that.

“They’re beautiful, Kitty!” she said, dying to cuddle one.

But a hesitant ‘mrow” pulled her attention from Kitty and his babies. “Oh, Kitty! She’s beautiful!” Vivian said, smiling at the adult female shraler who brought up the rear. She was standing about twenty feet behind Kitty, with another kitten in her mouth. The kitten she held impatiently dangled from her mouth, hissing and trying to bat its paws at her as though trying to make her release him.

“You’ve been busy!” Vivian said.

Kitty bumped his head against her thigh again, then walked past her. His kittens immediately followed, one of them even looking up at her as she passed.

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