Page 134 of A Trial of War
“He is adorable!” Gunnar practically squealed. “Look at those little toes and fingers.”
I chuckled at the sight of the general of the Silver Meadows warriors fawning over a baby like this. “You sure you don’t want to settle down and have one of your own, Gunnar?”
“Nah,” he said, winking at me. “I like to play with them and then give them back. That way, I savor all the fun.”
Daxton clapped Gunnar on the shoulder. “He’ll need his uncle to teach him all the things his mother and I tell him not to do.”
Gunnar’s smile reached his pointed ears. “It would be my honor.”
Shaw moved to stand behind Zola, his hand brushing lightly over the mark on her neck, the bond shimmering between them like a tether of light. His eyes, usually so guarded, melted when he looked at our son.
“Congratulations,” he said in a calming tone full of happiness. “Both of you.”
Daxton’s hand tightened around my shoulder, his pride washing over me in a wave so strong through our bond that it caused my eyes to sting.
“Want to meet him, Shaw?” I asked.
My beta smiled, tears collecting at the corners of his eyes. “I’d love to, Sky.”
Zola handed our son to her mate, and Shaw softened. “Rhea and Talon will be thrilled that their pack of little monsters will have someone who can keep up with them.”
“Right?” I laughed. “How many are they at now? Two girls and a boy?”
“With one more on the way,” Shaw added.
When the dust settled after Minaeve fell, I worked with Talon and Adohan to conjure the eternal flame with my healing magic, and I was able to overturn the shadow rot, saving Talon. He and Rhea decided to remain in Solace after the battle, along with a pack of shifters and High Fae whosought a new life for themselves. The birth of their first daughter, Kaiti, came later that year, with Rhea insisting they have more. Caitlyn came next, followed by their son, Dylan. The announcement of their fourth pregnancy last month was no surprise to any of us.
“I plan on teleporting to Solace next week to bring them here to meet him,” Daxton said. “No one was planning on you being in labor for another month, Spitfire.”
“Thank you, Daxton,” I said, placing my hand in his. “It lines up perfectly with our monthly get-togethers. I can’t wait to surprise them with the news.”
“But,” he said, lifting my hand to his lips, “I believe there is someone I need to bring in now… or else we’ll never hear the end of it.”
I narrowed my eyes in confusion before straightening. “Oh, gods!” I exclaimed. “Yes, yes, go! Oh, she’s going to kill me for not telling her sooner.”
Daxton smiled sweetly. “I believe our son will help soften that blow. Be right back, Spitfire.”
He kissed my brow and then stepped back to teleport away.
I leaned back on the pillows, my stomach rumbling so loud it echoed across the walls. “Oh, gods—”
“Don’t worry, I’m on it,” Gunnar said, marching toward the door. “Any special request?”
“Anything. Everything you can carry.” I wasstarving. I didn’t think I had ever been this hungry before in my entire life, and that was saying something.
“At your command, my queen.”
“I’ll jump to Crimson City and tell Adohan and Idris the news,” Zola said, stepping to the corner draped in shadows. “Ember will be overjoyed to learn she has a new playmate.” And then she jumped away.
“I can’t wait to see them again,” I said to Shaw.
Idris and Adohan visited Silver Meadows last month with Ember in tow, now six years old and full of wonder and magic. She could also talk your ear off about pegasi and had a keen imagination, creating stories that sometimes made more sense to her than anyone else.
Footsteps sounded near the doorway as Shaw carefully handed my son back to me. My baby didn’t even stir. He slept as if the chaos of the world could never touch him.
The door swung open with a loudthud.
“Finally,” Castor announced, throwing his hands in the air. “I thought that thing was going to tear you in two, and I’d have to drag Daxton back from the brink of death. Again.”
