Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“I want to take Sokko and Vendar Thomas on the next hunt we go on. They’re old enough and prove worthy in training.” Draven sets down two magknives in front of each of them. “With your blessing, of course.”
Vendar Thomas grins goofily, reminding me of Molly. Sokko, however, frowns down at the magknife.
“Topside?” Sokko asks, his voice scratchy with unease. He glances over at me. “Pops?”
My skin crawls just thinking about letting my mortling go topside, but I trust Draven not to let anything happen to them.
“If you’re ready,” I say slowly.
Vendar Thomas smacks Sokko on the back. “We’re ready, dude.”
“I’m ready too,” a soft voice says from the doorway. “Mom says I can do anything I want to.”
Draven cuts his gaze over to Sareth Gracyn, studying her intently as she enters the Command Center. She lifts her chin, staring right at him, not allowing herself to be intimidated. Vendar Thomas elbows Sokko and they share a look that passes too quickly for me to interpret.
“I’m ready,” Sokko barks out. “And I’ll protect her.”
Sareth Gracyn huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t need you to protect me, Sokko. I can protect myself.”
As the mortlings break into an argument that could rival Avrell and Zoe’s, I excuse myself, leaving Draven to handle the details of their first hunt with Hadrian.
After passing through the Great Hall once more, I grab a plate of food and find my very pregnant mate brushing her teeth at the basin in our room.
The scan showed not one but two in her womb.
“Madame Commander,” I rumble, setting her plate of food down on a table. “You’re looking beautiful this solar.”
She spits into the basin and wipes her mouth on a cloth. “You know, after being your mate for over a decade, I can tell when you’re lying.”
I scoff. “I never lie about your beauty.”
“Have you really looked at me lately?” She huffs, motioning at her giant stomach. “I’m a whale.”
“Is a whale like a kitten?” I cock my nog to the side.
She rolls her eyes. “The human animal glossary exists in the library. Don’t play dumb.”
I smirk at her and approach, stalking her much like I would a beast I plan to capture. “You could look like Eileen and I would still think you’re the most beautiful thing in existence.”
Her features soften and she smiles. “Are you reading Quinn’s poetry books again?”
“Quinn’s poetry books are what created this.” I grin at her as I palm her stomach. “Don’t act like you don’t approve of my late-night reading.”
“Speaking of late nights…” She tilts her nog up, offering me her sweet lips. I don’t hesitate and kiss them.
“Yes, my lovely alien?”
“I plan to go back to work after the birth of these two. That means Poppy is going to have to help out at night.”
I lift a hand and cradle her delicate jaw. “Whatever you need, it’s yours.”
She closes her eyes for a moment before reopening them with a sigh. “Four kids, Breccan. We’re about to have four kids.”
“And then we’ll make four more…”
She smacks my chest. “Don’t even joke like that.”
“Or, maybe in a few years, Sokko will give us four grandchildren instead.”
Her eyes bug. “Grandchildren? Seriously? I swear to God, you morts only think about procreation. You totally get off on populating the planet, don’t you? Sick fuckers.”
Chuckling, I shrug. “Sokko has eyes for Sareth Gracyn. In another few years, it could happen.”
“Ugh,” she groans. And then she moans. “Ohhhh.”
“Sareth Gracyn is a great female,” I continue. “She’s intelligent and fierce. In fact, she wants to go on the first hunt with them and—”
Water splashes at our feet.
“Breccan, stop talking,” Aria says, voice shrill. “My water just broke. The babies are coming.”
Not needing for her to say it twice, I scoop up my mate into my arms and rush toward the medical bay at a breakneck speed.
“Breccan, I’m scared.” Her teary eyes find mine. “Two at once. What if I can’t do it…”
I press a kiss to her nose. “You, my brave female, can do anything.”
And not too much longer, she does.
Mortuus, once dying and hopeless, is now a planet teeming with life, unknown possibilities, and most importantly, love.
The End