Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
A Hallan I recognize as being one of the army soldiers who stayed behind comes over to me.
“Thori, Paya,” he bows to me and Luna, then Bothaki and Selina. He smiles down at both Nowas and Fate before also bowing to them. “Waliz. Loyi”
“We are happy to have you home,” I say.
He sighs. “Happy to be here, and to bring my mate home.” He extends a tablet towards me then. “A message, from Loyi Vabila.”
I take the tablet, looking down at it, ignoring the awful dread filling me as I speak. “Is … Is she safe?”
“Yes.”
My heart feels like it beats again. “Thank you.”
He bows again and walks away from us. I tuck the tablet into the belt on my pelt as I turn towards Luna and Nowas.
“You’re not going to listen to it now?” Luna asks.
“I know that she’s safe. That’s enough for me for right now. I will listen to it later to learn why she has not returned.”
“Maybe she did not wish to leave mother there,” Bothaki states.
I nod. “If that is the reason, I will accept it, although, I wish she had told me sooner.”
“Sometimes you don’t know a thing to tell someone else, because you haven’t even realized it within yourself yet,” Selina adds.
“I know.” I take a deep breath, releasing the disappointment at Vabila not being here. “Well, let us enjoy the crista of my son today. We have a feast to eat and gifts to exchange.”
That certainly gets Fate’s attention. Her smile stretches from ear to ear as she attempts to jump from her grandmother’s arms.
Zarah grunts with the effort of holding her and then laughs. “I don’t know if she’s more excited for the food or the party.”
“The food,” we all say as one.
We turn away from the air strip and I go behind Luna as we begin to walk, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“Are you okay? Not too tired?”
“I’m perfect, Halun,” she answers, her voice soft enough for only me to hear. “I’m in your embrace, with our son in mine. What could ever be better than that?”
What could ever be better than that?
Nothing.
EPILOGUE
“Will she be needing me tonight, do you think, Thori?” the Hallan female asks me as she comes down the hall.
Smiling at the nurse maid who helps my mate through her busier days and duties, I step away from the set of A-frame doors that lead from our chambers into our son’s nursery.
“Probably not for the evening again, Mora,” I return.
Mora, having three Hallan boys of her own and one just barely off the breast, made easy friends with Luna during her pregnancy. All her trips to the bathing halls led my mate into finding the other mother she thought fit best to step in and nurse Nowas when she isn’t able. But with Nowas being so new, Luna isn’t willing to give up evenings of just he and her for feedings.
Understandable.
Mora gives me a bow before standing straight once again. “Okay, then I won’t bother her or you any longer. I’ll be around in the morning when I know she’s up and ready for me.”
“Mada, Mora,” I thank her.
Once she takes her leave, I settle in beyond the doors of the nursery to the enclave that keeps me hidden in shadows. Here, I can enjoy the vision of peace and perfection in front of me bathed in the soft pink light of Hallalah. Luna rocks Nowas in front of the window, his blankets puddled over her waist, and his chubby fingers clasping onto her. She rhythmically pats his bottom as he nurses, and she rocks them to the same soothing motion.
I want to enjoy this.
Slow these days down because already, I know they’re passing too fast. Before I blink, my son will not be as tiny as he is now, and we won’t be able to come back to these very precious days. So yes, I soak in every single moment that I possibly can.
And it is still not enough.
It’s hard for the king to get away from his throne and duties, which is why a Hallan king is never allowed to leave his planet, but the sight of Luna tucked away with our son as the silence of the palace settles over us makes me want to take her away. Just for a little while.
I’m sure I can convince Bo to sit in my place for a few days.
My father used to take my mother away to their home made of stone in the mountain valley after every birth for at least the passing of every moon, swearing that taking the pressures of the palace and duties away bonded them tighter.
Those days after my siblings were born are some of my very best memories with my mother and father. The fact that I find myself wanting to do the same thing with my mate and our children is further proof to me that everything does come full circle. The reasons, while not always clear, that fate chooses to bless us with both happiness and pain are not for nothing.