Page 65 of Chosen
“But I’ll have Ayla. She helped me. I know she’s loyal to you.”
He nods. “That’s true. I trust her. But I have to wade through 100s of staff files, the administrators, the kitchen staff, all the Enforcers, the maids and even the cleaners.”
“What about your personal attendant Johra?”
Draken releases a heavy sigh. “He’s recovering. Braeden’s men attacked him and nearly killed him along with a bunch of other staff who didn’t plead loyalty to him. They even killed my maid Anora. Others were thrown in holding cells. I’m still accessing he extent of all the damage he wrought.”
He takes both of my hands in his. “I promise you I’ll fix this and bring you back to me.”
A tear slides down my face. “How long?
“From what you’ve told me about the incident you experienced, it was self-defense. If you’re temporarily transferred back to Sector 2 Magnus can have those findings entered into the Registry and have that flag removed. There are no such protocols in this Sector 10. I don’t foresee you being there for longer than a month, five weeks at the most.”
My heart sinks. I don’t want to leave him when he’s going through so much but I understand he has to get things sorted out. Besides, I know had another life to think about.
Our gazes collide and I reach out to cup his bearded cheek in my palm. “Draken…I believe in you. But don’t make me wait too long.”
His beautiful smile returns. “If you believe in nothing else, believe my love for you. I’ll always come for you Jamie and when you’re back with me, I’m never going to let you go again.”
A tear glides down my face. “I’ll make sure you keep that promise.”
And with that, he leans over and presses his lips against mine.
My heart sings. No longer did I need to call upon the numb that helped me survive my past ordeal because now I have something even better.
I have love.
Epilogue
JAMIE
“Are you sure I can hold him? He’s so tiny. I thought mostsuperiousbabies were born 20 pounds.” I smile as I look at the tiny cutie, Noah is cuddling.
She groans. “Could you imagine me pushing out something that big? I’m upset with myself for foregoing the drugs that would have made the birth experience less painful. If he had been 20 pounds, I don’t think I would have survived. Trust me, when you have your baby, please take the drugs. You can thank me later. Here, hold your nephew.”
Noah carefully transfers her newborn son into my arms, and he looks so fragile I’m afraid he’ll break.
As if sensing my unease, Noah chuckles. “There’s no need to be afraid, he’s sturdier than he looks.”
My nephew’s face is so round and perfect. He has a head full of curly copper colored hair. “Have you and Magnus decided what you want to name him?”
“Hmm, we have a few names in mind. But the frontrunners are Kian and Myka. Those are my favorite so far.”
“They sound pretty solid.” I can’t tear my eyes off the little bundle in my arms from his little fingers and toes. His tiny nose.He’s sleeping peacefully now but earlier he had been crying heartily until Noah had given him her breast.
He was only 24 hours old but already he was so loved. Noah had gone into labor the night before and Magnus had kept everyone but himself and the medical professionals off their floor.
The birth had been announced over manor’s intercom.
“Let’s offer a hearty congratulations to our Sector Leader and the Lady of the Manor, for the birth of their child. A healthy baby boy weighing in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces.”
When I’d heard the announcement I was so happy for them. Understandably, Magnus had wanted to spend that first night alone with his wife and child before inviting others to come see the baby.
My mother and father were especially pleased when we went to see their grandchild and they had spent the better portion of the morning, getting acquainted with their grandson.
I gave them the opportunity to spend time with the baby before I visited. Now my parents had left to go have lunch and Magnus had been called away for an emergency meeting leaving me alone with Noah and the baby.
In the last few weeks since I’ve been back at the manor, Magnus and I had reached an understanding. I recognized that he wasn’t a perfect man, but he was perfect for Noah.
