Page 91 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“I wonder how many rocks your twins will receive,” Alastor said.
“What are we going to do with all these rocks?” Elias turned his beautiful violet eyes to me, and I had to suppress the laugh that built at his surprised look. “They’re going to want to give us rocks at the babes’ births, birthdays, holidays. Teddy, what have you done?”
That was it . . . the look of utter defeat did me in. I barked out a loud laugh that made my whole body shake. The longer he looked at me with that bewildered expression, the harder I laughed. Tears sprang to my eyes. He cracked a smile and draped a hand over my quaking shoulders while he turned the rock in his hand.
“They named this one Princess Pebble.” One side of his lips quirked up.
When the others laughed with me, he pulled out another rock while making Princess Pebble disappear.
“Dusty Rocks.” He pulled out another rock. “Gravel Prince.” Another. “Grandfather Granite.”
Each name was creative and brought on another round of laughter. And it was good to laugh. For so long, it felt as though we’d simply been...solemn. Perhaps something silly on occasion was okay.
We barely reached the bottom step of the courtyard when three shifters and a male fae approached us.
“Apologies for disturbing you.” The male bowed. “I tried to speak to you after your coronation, but . . .”
“We were always busy,” Elias said with an easy smile. “What did you wish to speak to us about?”
“My son.” He held a hand to his chest and scratched his shirt. “The orphanage said you’d taken temporary custody of him.”
Relief seemed to flood Elias at the same time it did me.Oh my God. Kieren’s dad is alive.Elias’s throat bobbed, and when he opened his mouth, nothing came out, so I stepped in.
“You’re Kieren’s dad? Are you okay? Do you need anything? God, we’ve looked for you. I’m so glad you’re here.” I knew I was babbling, but I didn’t care. I was so relieved. I wanted to hug him. Instead, I extended my hand in greeting. “I’m Teddy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I know who you are. I’m Silas,” he replied, his attention bouncing from me to Elias.
He seemed just as nervous or eager as us. Of course, he was. He wanted to see his son after being apart for so many months.
“He’s with our other kids and a couple of friends, getting everything set up to camp out in the woods tonight. Silas, Kieren is such an amazing young man. He’s brave and kind and . . . selfless,” I said.
Silas lowered his head, just as I’d seen Kieren do many times. “Thank you,” he said with humility. “I am proud of him.”
I smiled, truly smiled for Silas and Kieren, but also for Elias. This was one less weight he had to carry.
“We’re on our way to them now, but I can bend space and take you to him,” Elias offered.
Anticipation lit Silas’s eyes. “Yes, please.”
Elias extended a hand to me that I took as Silas gripped his shoulder.
“We’ll see y’all at camp,” I said before Elias whisked us away so that we now stood between the thick trees of Reignom’s woods.
In his eagerness to see his son, Silas rushed forward, stumbling over a fallen trunk before he righted himself. From a distance, Kieren’s head popped up, and I was certain Silas had called to his son through his mind when Kieren raced toward him. Their embrace was frantic, and I turned when Silas let out a loud sob, which brought tears to my eyes.
He’s alive.Silas was alive. While I didn’t know what had happened to Kieren’s mom, I was thrilled to see him reunited with his dad. It was the best thing to happen all day, and I’d never forget the look of utter relief and joy that swept across Kieren’s sweet face.
Giving them privacy, Elias and I went to the site the kids had chosen.
They’d already set up three tents and had started a small campfire. Elias joined Koa, and together, they continued setting up while the older kids worked on their tent. I sat on one of the folding camp chairs beside Bon, who cradled her baby close to her chest while the younger children played at her feet.
When Bon offered little Mimesoa, I took her with care so as not to wake her. She settled in my arms, her little lashes fanned across her cheeks. Bon draped a blanket over the sleeping baby, and I let out a contented sigh.
“It’s been a busy day for you,” Bon said, her voice low.
“Yeah.” I arched my aching back. “I’m glad y’all came. Thank you for that.”
“We were honored you asked us to, although Koa had tostep out a few times to prevent Chaka and little Soa from causing a scene.”
