Chapter Eight
I calmed my racing heartbeat as I was carried around the castle and deposited in a comfy chair in the sitting room, but then it was a parade of familiar faces all vying for some time with me. Mahini, Elissa, Eva, and Caelia all smiled smugly as they watched from a distance, while Zenda and Akina were just as surprised as I was. Sorena watched all the activity with bright gemstone eyes, and I longed to hold my quickly growing daughter in my arms. She looked healthy and happy in her mother’s arms, though, and I was surrounded by a horde of Bastians.
Everything was okay.
“Wait, what about the other towns?” I asked Elrin who stood nearby.
“They’re all here,” he said in a reassuring tone.
“No, but why were they boarded up?” I pressed. “They looked like they were ghost towns.”
“Bash, my boy,” Carlisle said as he squeezed through the crowd. “I haven’t gotten to say hello just yet.”
“Give him room!” I called out as I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Let’s take this party into other rooms for now.”
The crowd dispersed immediately, and a path opened up for the Mayor of Carleone. He had a bald spot on the back of his head, but the rest of his scalp was covered in salt-and-pepper hair. His long, grungy beard looked like it had been recently trimmed, and he wore a crisp gray tunic with a black sash over his chest. It was a far cry from the condition he’d been in when we’d first met, but a lot of time had passed since I’d found him stooped over the bar in Carleone mourning the state of his town’s economy.
“Uncle Carl,” I greeted as I clasped the man’s forearm. “How are you? How is Carleone? Tell me everything. How did this surprise come to be?”
Everyone around me laughed and exchanged knowing glances, and I chuckled to myself at the pleased expressions on their faces. It had to have taken a lot of planning and preparation to pull off this surprise.
“Well, a runner arrived shortly after your last visit to Bastianville.” Carlisle smiled knowingly. “The entire plan was detailed inside. Your wives are the masterminds behind the surprise, but I was eager to participate.”
“What about Carleone?” I asked. “Why not leave someone behind?”
“It was all part of the plan,” Mahini said as she crossed the distance between us. A mischievous grin spread across her face, and she lowered herself carefully into the chair beside me. “If anyone was left behind, you would be able to work your god magic on them to get the secret out. We couldn’t risk that.”
“That’s why you had Ako meet me in the street instead of coming by yourself?” I shook my head in awe at all the details they must have thought about.
“If anyone could get you to the castle without you asking questions,” Elissa interjected, “it was going to be Ako. We sent a runner to Arginold Hold right after you left Bastianville the last time.”
“We knew you would stay with the army,” Eva said as she took a seat on the couch beside her father, and she rested a hand on her growing stomach. “Especially with me staying with them.”
“That’s why you stayed in the desert?” I lifted my eyebrows.
“We’d been talking about this for a while before the opportunity came about,” Mahini said. “It’s not every day your god returns with his entire army intact.”
“I’m still amazed at the amount of work everyone had to do to pull this off,” I said. “How did you know I wouldn’t come straight back to Bastianville?”
“We were prepared for you to do so just in case,” Eva said. “I had a hard time containing my glee when you sent me ahead with the army.”
“So, Riondale knew about this, too.” I looked through the crowd to where my general stood talking to Corvis.
“Everyone did,” Elissa explained as she rocked back and forth to soothe our daughter.
I held out my hands and gestured for her to hand Sorena over, and a moment later, I was gazing into the green gemstone eyes of my daughter. Her red hair was beginning to show signs of curls, and I could only imagine how beautiful she would be as she grew bigger. She was going to look a lot like her gorgeous mother, but there were definitely aspects of her face that were all me.
“I love you,” I murmured as I cradled her in my arms.
Sorena cooed as she lifted her hands up toward my face, and I leaned forward so she could feel the features. Then she buried her tiny fingers in my beard, and she yanked. Hard.
“Ow,” I chuckled, and I carefully disengaged her little fist from my facial hair.
“Great One, it is good to see you,” an elderly voice said from the edge of the room, and I looked up to see the leader of Ivywood, Hacket, coming forward through the crowd.
“Hacket,” I said with a grin. “Come meet my daughter, Sorena.”
The older man smiled softly as he knelt carefully beside my chair, and he reached up his fingers to let my daughter grasp a hold of them.
“I’m keeping my beard out of her reach,” he chuckled. “Babies have a habit of grabbing on and not letting go.”
“I noticed.” I laughed, and the sound caused Sorena to peer up at me with a confused expression, but then she gave me a toothless grin. My heart practically swelled to twice its normal size, and the women all erupted into “awws.”
“You have a beautiful family, Great One,” Hacket murmured in an approving tone.
“How does Ivywood fare these days?” I asked as I handed Sorena over to Mahini. “Is the town doing well?”
“We are prosperous, Your Greatness.” Hacket nodded. “Trade routes have opened in all directions, and the market is always demanding more supply. We trade with your other holdings first, then move our goods on to the Vallenwood markets.”
“Soon, you’ll be sending some of your supply to the south,” I said. “I want to connect trade routes to Edinburg Manor as well. We can share the wealth.”
“More trade means more wealth to share,” Hacket pointed out in a sage tone. “This is a wise move, but what do you want to buy from these new locations?”
“Anything they sell,” I said.
“I’ll make sure Ivywood heads to the south as soon as I return to town,” Hacket promised. “We will have southern silks draped over every entrance by your next visit.”
“Glad to hear it,” I chuckled.
“This is quite a gathering place,” another familiar voice said, and I looked up to see Adorno, the mayor of Wyndvale, approaching. “You have more followers than I expected.”
“There are more outside,” Mahini said. “Setting up tables for the feast.”
“Feast?” I arched an eyebrow.
“It’s harvest season,” my wife pointed out. “We have a bountiful spread to share with all your followers. The first gathering of its kind should be marked with a grand feast.”
“True.” I grinned at my capable wife, and then I turned back to Adorno. “How is Wyndvale these days? How did you convince everyone to board up their businesses and travel to Bastianville?”
“It won’t be forever,” the mayor of Wyndvale explained. “And your wives planned a market day so none of us would lose out on business opportunities.”
“Tomorrow,” Elissa said with a smirk. “Everything is all planned out.”
“You’re amazing,” I breathed as I stared at my red-haired wife in wonder. “You really did think of everything.”
“Including a night nurse to care for Sorena while we finish the feast,” Elissa added with a wink. “Celeste will come and retrieve her at bedtime.”
“Perfect.” I grinned.
“This is all so incredible,” Zenda said with an awed expression. “I am glad I wasn’t included in the surprise.”
“We didn’t intentionally leave you out,” Mahini said in a comforting tone. “But someone had to travel with Bash to Bastianville, or he’d be out for blood. Your presence kept him grounded long enough for him to reach the castle.”
“You’re right.” I raised my eyebrows. “If all of you had mysteriously disappeared, I would have lost my mind.”
“We didn’t want to traumatize anyone,” Eva giggled. “But we did want to surprise you. Which is very hard to do, by the way. You’re all-knowing ability nearly revealed everything.”
“We hoped against hope it would work,” Elissa added.
“Thank you,” I said as I made eye contact with each woman. “Seriously. This is amazing.”
“I did nothing,” Akina argued with a shake of her head.
“You stayed by my side the whole time,” I pointed out.
“It’s nice to see you again, Akina,” Mahini said, and she patted the empty spot beside her on the couch. “And welcome to the family.”
Akina grinned and accepted the seat Mahini offered her silently, but then she turned and gave the pregnant former mercenary a tight hug. Mahini flashed me an awkward smile over her shoulder, and I could only assume how uncomfortable my stoic wife was from such an outward display of emotion.
It made me realize just how different the two warrior women from the Kotar Desert really were.
While both had been raised in the harshness of the southern wastelands, they were vastly different in their own ways. Akina was timid and shy beneath her bravado, while Mahini could kill someone without hesitation.
And they were both all mine.
“It is wonderful to have you here,” Elissa added, and she reached across Mahini’s lap to pat the former desert dweller’s hand.
“We all think so,” Eva said.
“Do you miss your home?” Caelia asked with a sympathetic smile.
“No,” Akina said firmly. “I am content as long as I am with Bash.”
“I know what it’s like to travel a long way from your home,” Zenda said. “If you ever need to talk, just know we are all here for you.”
It was beautiful to see the love my women shared amongst themselves, but I didn’t know how many more heartwarming moments I could handle before the muscle in my chest burst out.
I looked around at the crowd of people, and it looked like almost everyone I knew was there. Ako talked to Jaxtom and Torya, the leaders of the towns all huddled together, and Riondale was talking to some of the soldiers who’d traveled with me from the south.
“I want to talk to all the Bastianville elders next,” I said in a decisive tone. “It’s been far too long since I last had a chat with them, and I want to get all the details of how Bastianville did in my absence.”
“Give us a minute to find everyone,” Mahini requested as she pushed herself out of the cushions. Her growing stomach was getting in the way of her movements, but she was still graceful for someone so close to their due date.
“Please, allow me and Caelia to go,” Zenda suggested with a worried expression. “You need to rest.”
“This baby is making me nearly incapable of moving,” Mahini agreed with a sigh. “Find Jaxtom and Torya. They’ll gather the rest of the council.”
“Done.” Zenda nodded, and then she zipped across the sitting room to where Jaxtom and Torya stood.
A short while later, everyone was gathered around me on couches and chairs, and everyone had a chalice of wine in their hands. My pregnant and breastfeeding wives abstained, but they still held a nonalcoholic beverage. One of my castle’s staff handed me a cup as well, and we all toasted to the health of my territory before we began our conversation.
“So, Elrin, how has Bastianville been doing in my extended absence?” I asked in a casual voice. “Anything I should know about?”
“I haven’t spent much time outside your castle, actually,” Elrin admitted with a sheepish smile. “I’ve spent most of my time here with Sorena and Lissy.”
“You’re welcome to continue doing so,” I said. “I’m glad you’re my daughter’s grandfather. I couldn’t ask for a better family.”
“You have a wonderful family, Bash,” Elrin said. “I’m happy to be a part of it.”
“I’m glad we chose to stay in Bastianville, so you can watch all your grandchildren grow up.” I grinned. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“We feel the same way,” Mahini said as she exchanged a look with Akina.
“I just wish my father would be able to come to town for the birth of our child.” Eva frowned and cupped her belly.
“We can make that happen,” I said. “It would be as simple as sending a runner to your father’s castle.”
“I wouldn’t want to pull him away from his affairs,” Eva said as the furrow in her brow deepened. “He is a busy man.”
“I’m sure he’s not too busy that he’d miss the birth of his first grandchild,” I pointed out. “We’ll send for him and see what he says.”
“Alright.” Eva smiled. “I suppose I should let him be the one to decide.”
“I can take the letter personally, sir,” Riondale offered.
“That’s okay,” I said. “We have more than enough runners to do the dirty work, and I’m sure you’re needed here in Bastianville now that the army has returned.”
“The men have been eager to share tales of their monster fights,” Riondale said with a wry smile. “It seems I missed out on quite a few adventures.”
“Nothing we haven’t faced together before,” I said. “Except for a few new twists on the monsters.”
“So, the sorcerer was summoning ancient monsters?” Torya shivered. “Sounds like a nightmare.”
“To the desert dwellers, it was.” I nodded. “They’d told stories about the legendary beasts to their children to keep them in their beds at night. Then they had to face the things right out of their worst nightmares. Everyone performed above and beyond what I’d expected of them, though, and the army of monsters was vanquished in the end.”
I told more tales about my desert adventures for a while, but then I nodded my head to Jaxtom. The blacksmith had his arms crossed and a dark shadow on his face as he’d listened attentively the whole time.
“What’s wrong, Jax?” I asked.
“Yer not running off to be King of Kotar or anything, are ye?” Jax grumbled. “Ye been out of town fer a while now. Maybe ye like it better in the heat.”
“Aww, did you miss me?” I laughed. “No, Jax. I’m not going to go back to the desert unless they need me again. I left Jorgen to act as my representative in the meantime. There shouldn’t be any reason for me to be gone as long as I was again.”
“If ye say so.” Jax huffed, but his expression was less dark than it had been a few minutes prior. “Then I’m inclined to believe ye.”
“He just doesn’t want you to miss out on our big news,” Torya giggled as she bumped her shoulder against the blacksmith’s.
“And what’s that?” I raised my eyebrows. “Another surprise?”
“We are trying to have children,” Torya announced. “Before we both get too old to take proper care of them.”
“That’s wonderful news.” I smiled.
“We’ll get to raise our babies together,” Elissa gasped and clapped her hands.
“All of us,” Mahini added.
“I’ll help as much as I can,” Caelia offered.
“Me, too,” Zenda said.
“I-I…” Akina said, but then she fell silent.
Everyone turned to stare at the desert beauty, but a blush darkened her cheeks, and she averted her gaze.
I made a mental note to take the newest resident of Bastianville around the town to meet everyone individually later, but for the moment, I’d just have to let her be shy.
“Congratulations on your babymaking plans,” I said as I turned everyone’s attention back to the happy couple. “Let me know if I can help in any way.”
“I don’t need that kind of help, Bash,” Jax argued with a wink. “Ye already got enough women to worry about getting pregnant.”
“I didn’t mean that.” I laughed. “I just meant, I can help with baby clothes, blankets, stuff like that.”
“Just givin’ the God o’ Time a hard time,” Jax chuckled.
“At least the town has a midwife now,” Theodora, Bastianville’s apothecary, said. “I don’t know much about delivering babies, so it’s a relief to know I won’t have the responsibility of doing so.”
“We would never ask you to do anything you weren’t comfortable doing,” I assured the healer. “And if you ever need anything from us, you know you don’t even have to hesitate to ask, right?”
“I know, Great One,” Dora said. “I’m fully stocked and ready to train some new apprentices. I have three new ones to work with now.”
“That’s more good news,” I said. “This town can use all the skilled healers that it can get.”
“Being an apothecary is a little different from the healers from your foreign shores,” Theodora said with a self-conscious smile. “But I appreciate the thought. You’re welcome at my shop any time you want to come and help me teach the young ones, though.”
“I’ll have to stop by soon,” I promised. “Now, what else has happened since I left Bastianville? Caelia? Bellona?”
“The General Store is showing record profits,” Caelia reported. “The staff I hired are working tirelessly to keep the shelves filled with the goods coming in. I might have to hire more hands.”
“Same with my shop,” Bellona said. “With all the new residents of Bastianville migrating to our not-so-little town, everyone has been needing more clothes and linens. I believe every store owner is showing the same kinds of profits as Caelia and myself.”
“The inn is always full of travelers,” Torya said. “Especially right now.”
“We used our personal coffers to pay for everyone’s rooms,” Mahini explained. “With the entire territory in one town, we didn’t want to strain anyone’s pockets, so we paid Torya directly for the entire inn.”
“Good call.” I nodded.
It sounded like my territory was in good condition despite my extended absence in the Kotar Desert, and I was proud of the people I’d left in charge of things while I went adventuring. My family had a strong support system to lean on while I was gone, and the entire territory was well protected.
Not only were they safe, but they were all prosperous, and they shared that wealth with the rest of Sorreyal. Soon, trade caravans would be heading into the Kotar Desert, and my wealth would continue to grow. I collected a small amount of taxes from each trade caravan that left or entered my territory, but I still made sure it wasn’t enough to cripple the merchants.
I wanted them to be successful, after all.
The God of Time was a benevolent ruler, and the evidence that I was on the right path continued to pile up.
We all exchanged stories and tales for the next few hours, and Sorena was passed from person to person like a hot potato, but the little girl seemed to enjoy her predicament. She smiled and cooed at whoever was nearby, and I made sure to take my fair share of turns cradling her in my arms.
Sorena had already grown a lot since I’d last been in town, and I didn’t want to miss any more of her childhood than I absolutely had to. I had to absorb her presence while I could, so I spent a lot of time making gibberish noises at her to elicit more smiles and giggles.
I would soon have two more babies, and it was almost hard to tell who would give birth next, but Mahini’s due date was swiftly approaching. Eva was close behind her, but Caelia hadn’t even started to show yet. It was only a matter of time before Zenda and Akina were both with child as well, and then I’d have my hands full of newborns crying out for attention.
But if anyone could handle multiple babies born in the same year, it was the God of Time and his ladies. We’d faced worse odds and survived. We could conquer the challenge of parenthood.
Together.
I really was a lucky man, and I took a moment to appreciate all the bounties spread out before me. I had a horde of loyal followers willing to do anything I commanded, a bustling economy, a powerful army, and a wonderful family.
“What’s on your mind, Bash?” Ako asked as he entered the room and crossed the distance between us. “You appear deep in your thoughts.”
“To be honest,” I said, “I was thinking about how lucky I am to have such wonderful people around me. I’m glad you’re here, my friend.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” Ako grinned and flashed his pointed canines. “Duchess Jaketta was a little disappointed that I would be absent for a while, but I have earned a holiday.”
“How are things in Arginold Hold?” I asked.
“Just as cold and as dreary as ever,” Ako reported, and he moved to warm his furry hands over the fire in the fireplace. “Not my favorite town to serve in, but it will do for now.”
“Where would you rather be?” I asked.
“Why, here in Bastianville with you, of course,” Ako answered without hesitation. “You are the most powerful lord in all of Sorreyal, and my friend. Plus, Bastianville’s climate is much more temperate than Arginold Hold’s chilly environment.”
“True,” I chuckled. “Maybe we should send you home with a new fur cloak to ward off the chill.”
“You’re too kind,” Ako said.
“Bellona, do you think you can make that happen?” I asked as I turned to the seamstress. “Charge it to my account.”
“Yes, Great One.” Bellona sized up the shapeshifter with a shrewd eye. “I just need a few measurements.”
“I’ll stop by your shop tomorrow,” the cat-man said.
“Excuse me, but it’s getting late, ma’am,” Celeste announced as she entered the room and moved to Elissa’s side. “Are you ready for me to put Sorena into bed?”
“Let me say goodnight to her first,” I requested as I held out my hands to receive my daughter. The little girl yawned and rubbed her eyes with her fists, so I could tell she was ready for sleep, but it was a challenge to let go of her.
“She just nursed less than an hour ago,” Elissa said to our night nurse. “Make sure you change her bottom before you lay her down for the night.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the young girl said.
Celeste had joined Bastianville’s residents a while back, and I’d gotten to know her a little better during the tournament I’d held. The winners got to be a part of my entourage while I went to the capital city for a summit of the nobility, and the young girl had excelled enough to earn a spot for herself. I admired her drive, but there was a darkness in her that worried me. She’d lost her parents while she was still young, and the pain haunted her. I only hoped that being around my family would help to heal some of her traumatic wounds.
The young girl took my daughter and left the sitting room, and the conversation returned to my adventures in the south. Ako listened closely to every detail, and I had a feeling the stories would be exaggerated the next time I heard them.
“The feast is ready,” a servant announced a short while later.
Everyone began to file out of the room to the dining hall, but even that large space could only serve around a hundred people, so there were tables set up outside to feed everyone except for the leaders and their entourages. I sat at the head of the table with my six ladies on the first three chairs on either side of the table, and then the rest of my people began to take the other seats. Elrin, Jaxtom, Torya, Bellona, and Stryker took seats beside Caelia, while the leaders of Ivywood, Carleone, and Wyndvale sat opposite the Elder Council, and the rest of the seats were filled with the leaders of my military forces. Riondale and Corvis sat opposite each other on the far end, and their top officers took the remaining chairs. Lastly, Ako sat directly in front of me at the other end of the table, and we shot each other confident grins across the surface.
It was the first time I’d had a feast served in my new castle, and there was no one else I’d rather share it with than all of my loyal followers.
The servants worked tirelessly to refill all of our beverages and serve the food, and we got lost in banter while we waited for the meal to be ready to eat. The windows were illuminated by the torches spiked into the ground outside, and I could hear the distant chatter of hundreds of voices as the people of all four of my holdings came together to eat.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I considered reloading to my save point so I could enjoy it all over again, but that might ruin my surprised face. I didn’t want to take that away from my women, not after they’d worked so hard to pull the wool over my eyes in order to celebrate my return.
I still couldn’t believe I hadn’t picked up on any of their plans, but they’d learned from the main mastermind himself: The God of Time.
While it was late at night by that time, no one was acting like they were tired, and the ambience was uplifting and energetic.
“To Bash’s army!” Riondale said as he stood to his feet and lifted his glass, and everyone echoed his words before sipping their beverages.
“To the God of Time,” Ako added as he also stood to his feet with an upraised chalice.
Several other toasts in my name were said, and then the cheers moved on to celebrate my women and my followers. Once everyone had been properly appreciated, our cups were all empty, so the servants made another round with the pitchers of wine and juice.
I was already starting to catch a buzz from the alcoholic drink, and I was feeling better than I had in a long time, and that was saying something since I’d been in a good mood pretty much the entire time I’d been in Sorreyal.
After dinner, Ako took out a guitar-like instrument and began to strum it absently.
“Any requests?” he asked with a coolly-arched eyebrow.
“Have you heard the Battle of the Monsters ballad?” Corvis chuckled. “It’s quite a tune.”
“Teach me,” Ako requested. “I’m a quick study.”
The two men bent their heads together over the instrument for a while, but then Ako cleared his throat, and they both straightened their shoulders as they faced the table.
The shapeshifter’s voice joined with the horse master’s, and the harmony sent shivers down my spine.
Deep in the heat of the south we trode.
Over sand dunes and through oases we rode.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
With scale and nail, fur and horn.
Long did the monsters roam.
Then the God of Time displayed his might.
He ordered us into the fight of our lives.
Deep in the southern lands we roam.
Far from our women, food, and home.
At the Great One’s demand we rode.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
On to the Battle of the Monsters we go.
I joined in on the next verse, and soon the whole room was singing along. The combined voices created a powerful tension in the air, and the pressure grew stronger as each voice lifted even louder. Then we were all singing at the tops of our lungs, and the chandelier above our heads began to shake from the powerful vibrations.
It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.
A unity unheard of before my arrival in these lands.
These were the people who would follow me into the jaws of death, and come out the other side to sing a song about it. These were survivors, fighters, and healers all at once.
It was all so perfect, but then Mahini suddenly clutched at her stomach and let out a pained cry.
Silence fell across the dining hall as all eyes leapt to the pregnant warrior woman, and I stood up quickly so I could rush to her side.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I cast a worried glance at her stomach.
“I-I don’t know,” Mahini stuttered in an anxious tone, but her eyebrows were knitted together as a pained look crossed her face. “It hurts, Bash.”
“Is the baby coming?” Elissa asked.
“So soon?” Zenda questioned.
“It’s possible,” Caelia said.
“Get my mother,” Mahini instructed. “She’ll know what to do.”
“Where is she?” I asked as I glanced around the room like she’d pop out from behind the curtains or something. “Why wasn’t she brought to dinner with us?”
“She has made some friends in town,” Mahini gasped out between pained cries. “She wanted to eat with them tonight.”
“Oh.” I frowned. “So she’s somewhere outside in the massive crowd?”
“Just find her, Bash,” Mahini grunted as she frowned even deeper. “It’s not stopping.”
“Fuck. Okay.” I rushed off without a second thought, and I was almost to the entrance of the dining hall when I turned back to give Riondale a last-minute command. “Get her upstairs and into a bed.”
“Yes, sir,” Riondale said with a quick nod, and then he signaled to the guards standing around the entrance.
I ignored the pounding of my heart against my rib cage as I exited the castle and searched for my mother-in-law, Aranini. The midwife had come to Bastianville to help with the birth of her grandchild, as well as my other babies, but it was going to be difficult to find her among the horde of people eating outside my castle. I went from table to table and called her name, until a short while later when I finally located the midwife.
“Aranini!” I called out as soon as I spotted her. “You’re needed inside right away! I think Mahini is going into labor!”
“It will be okay, Bash,” Aranini said in a comforting tone as she patted the back of my hand. “I’ll take care of my daughter and my grandchild. Everything will be just fine. I promise.”
I took a deep, steadying breath, and then I nodded silently.
How did she know exactly what to say?
I led the way back to the castle, and it wasn’t hard to figure out which room they’d taken Mahini to because there was a crowd of people standing in front of the bedroom door. I cleared my throat, and everyone scattered, so Aranini and I entered the room.
“You have a lot of followers,” Aranini noted as we entered the dimly-lit bedchamber. “You are a powerful man.”
“I’m much more than that,” I said. “But for right now, let’s stay focused on Mahini and the baby. I want to know what’s going on.”
“I’ll take a look.” Aranini nodded.
“Mother?” Mahini’s voice came from the bed, and Zenda, Caelia, Eva, and Elissa all stood by her side. “Is that you?”
“I’m here, my darling,” Aranini assured her daughter as she quickly crossed the distance to the bed. The older woman laid the palm of her hand against Mahini’s forehead, and a frown creased her eyebrows together into a straight line.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing, nothing…” Aranini waved a dismissive hand. “I’m not done with my inspection yet.”
“Fine,” I sighed, and I stepped back with a helpless feeling. I would be no use to anyone if I was just getting in the way, so I forced myself to watch silently as Aranini checked on my pregnant wife’s condition.
It was several moments later when the midwife rose to her feet and let out a tired sigh. I bit back my desire to ask her what was going on yet again, but she turned to me to explain an instant later.
“Those were signs of false labor,” Aranini reported.
“What, like Braxton Hicks?” I asked. I wasn’t sure how I knew what that even was, but it might have been something my own mother had told me about a long time ago.
“I don’t know what that is,” Aranini admitted. “But Mahini is not in labor. Her body is practicing for the real thing, so it will be soon. I recommend she stay in bed for the remainder of her pregnancy.”
“Mother, no!” Mahini’s face was drained of color. “You can’t do that to me.”
“It is what is best for you and the baby,” Aranini said in a firm, motherly tone.
“I understand how you feel,” Elissa said as she laid a comforting hand on Mahini’s. “I felt like it would be the end of the world if I didn’t go about my normal life. But you’re doing what’s best for the baby, and that’s the most important thing.”
“I suppose,” Mahini sighed, but the disappointment never left her face.
“I’ll keep you company as much as possible,” I promised.
“We all will,” Eva said.
“We can take turns,” Zenda suggested.
“I’ll go first,” Caelia offered in a cheerful tone.
“Where is Akina?” Mahini asked as she glanced around the room. “She should be here, too.”
“I think she’s still feeling some shyness,” I explained. “I’ll push her to open up more later, but for right now, my focus is on you and our child.”
“I understand,” Mahini said. “But promise me you’ll focus on her tomorrow.”
“I promise,” I chuckled. “Now, you let us treat you like the priority you are. Please.”
“Fine.” Mahini’s lips pressed together into a thin white line. “Take care of me like a cripple, then.”
“It won’t be forever,” Aranini said. “Do not act like a child.”
Spoken like only a mother could.
“Sorry for ruining the party,” Mahini said in a low voice.
“Don’t be.” I smiled. “We’d almost finished eating and toasting me anyway.”
We spent the next few moments keeping Mahini entertained, until I decided I had better go down and explain to my guests that she was doing just fine.
“Alright, time for everyone to find their beds!” Jax called out over everyone’s heads. “Let their family get their rest, too.”
Everyone filed out obediently, and Jax flashed me a wink before he closed the door behind them. Once everyone was gone, I went around to the lower-level rooms, and I extinguished candles and lamps as I went until the main floor was shrouded in darkness. Then I returned upstairs to find Akina sitting on the top of the stairs.
“Is Mahini okay?” the desert dweller asked with a worried expression.
“Yes, she’s fine,” I assured her. “We’re all heading to bed. Let me show you to your room.”
“Thank you, Bash,” Akina said in a low, shy voice, but she slid her hand into mine as we walked.
“Here.” I found an empty bedchamber and gestured for Akina to go inside. “This will be all yours. You’re welcome to share my room with me sometimes, too.”
“It’s beautiful,” Akina said as she looked around. “Much better than a tent.”
“Enjoy it” I smiled. “I’ll show you around town tomorrow.”
Then I went to say goodnight to the rest of my women before I crawled into bed, but it was only a couple of hours later when I heard a knock on the door. Before I could even say anything, Zenda slipped inside in nothing but a translucent nightgown.
“Everything okay?” I asked in a sleepy voice.
“I’ve missed you,” Zenda murmured in a seductive tone that had me awake instantly. “Can I have a turn with my lover tonight?”
“Absolutely,” I said as I pushed back the blankets to make room for her. “You promise I’m not dreaming?”
“Not a dream, my love,” Zenda said as she crawled into bed beside me. “Just an attempt to seduce you away from your worries.”
“Seduce away,” I chuckled.
I didn’t mind losing out on a few hours of sleep if it meant I got to explore the Zaborian’s beautiful blue skin with my lips and fingers.
There would be plenty of time for sleep later.
Now, it was time to make love.