Page 187 of The Other Omega

A few minutes later, Elowen arrived carrying Seren, with Eira and Vaela behind her. Ada followed with a trolley full of food and desserts. Elowen kissed Darius’s cheek as she passed. He steadied Seren’s blanket while she leaned towards him, then brushed his thumb over Elowen’s wrist before letting her go. She stopped beside Caius.

“My love, how long have we got you?”

“Half of the day, my love.”

“Oh, that’s lovely.” She offered him Seren. “Can you hold her while I get comfortable?”

He received our daughter, supporting her head with a hand that covered most of her back. Elowen watched him settle her, then brushed her lips against his shoulder.

“I missed you so much.”

“I have missed you too.”

His free hand rested at her waist until she moved towards the window. Eira helped her arrange the feeding cushion, and once Elowen was comfortable, we settled both girls against her to feed.

She looked from Caius to the food Ada had brought.

“Go on, baby, have some food.” She chuckled. “Ada always brings enough for ten people.”

He obeyed. I brought Elowen her water and held it while she drank, then tried to ignore my body’s response when she kissed my wrist.

“Thank you.”

I stayed beside her, close enough for her shoulder to rest against my arm. Weeks earlier, I had watched three medical teams work to keep them alive. Now Vaela’s eyes were closing as she fed, and Seren’s fingers lay open against Elowen’s breast. I could sit through an afternoon watching them and want nothing else.

“We should have a proper dinner together tonight.” Elowen smiled. “The four of us, once the girls are settled?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“I’ll ask Gilda what she thinks. Something nice for Caius.”

Caius set down his fork. “Your company is sufficient, my love.”

“Thank you, my love. But you’ve been away from home for days, so you are getting something nice.”

She smiled at him, and he kept watching her until Seren stirred and drew his attention.

Eira showed Elowen a drawing on her pad. They were planning something called sun catchers for the nursery window. I made a note to ask about the materials, then returned to my reports with Elowen resting against my side.

After the girls had fed and fallen asleep in the nest under Eira’s supervision, Elowen joined us at the table for her own meal. She sat on my lap, tucking herself against me with the ease of long practice. I moved her plate closer and rested my arm around her waist.

“Have some.” She offered me a piece of roast, then took another for herself. “You’ve been looking after everyone all morning.”

“So have you.”

She touched her nose to my neck, breathed in and kissed the place beneath my jaw. I held her a little closer as Darius asked Caius whether he would be home for breakfast. She listened with her cheek against my shoulder, occasionally lifting another bite to my mouth between her own.

When she finished, I helped her settle in her window nest beside our daughters. Eira excused herself and left shortly afterwards.

We waited until Elowen’s breathing had settled before returning to our work. Caius spoke in Kottarsht.

“Eleven executions were carried out this morning.”

Darius looked up. “The tribunal confirmed all eleven?”

“Yes. High treason. Further arrests are pending.”

“Alaric?”