Yilan snorted. “Wait until she’s a teenager and a Neph takes an interest in her.”
There was a strange, strangled noise, and a little shriek from Adiya as her father choked on his last mouthful of biscuit.
~ JANN ~
That evening, I lay on the couch in our chambers while Diadre put Adiya down for bed.
When the last of the tears were done, Dee walked into the room, exhausted, and flopped down next to me. I pulled her down to lay with me, as she sighed and shook her head.
“You’ve got to stop spoiling her, Jann. She’simpossible.She’s going to end up like one of those little noble bitches that used to turn their noses up at me.”
I pulled Diadre against me on the couch, and stroked her hair. “Maybe they wouldn’t have been bitches if their fathers loved them more?” I offered, but inwardly I winced.
My daughter lacked resilience. I knew that. It was one of the few things Dee and I consistently conflicted about anymore. She was so precious, and a girl in a man’s world.
Still… Yilan’s words, intended as a joke, had stuck with me today.
“I hadn’t… I hadn’t really thought about her future,” I said, uneasy. “All I could think about was being here and… I hadn’t given a lot of thought to what she’d face.”
Diadre caught my unrest, and lifted her head from my shoulder. “What, you mean the Neph comment? She’s going to be fine, Jann. None of the males woulddaretouch her, knowing who her father and uncle are, trust me,” she laughed.
I wasn’t so sure. “These efforts we’re making to change the Neph culture… we have to succeed, Dee. Not just for you. We have to succeed forher.”
“Of course. I’m surprised you hadn’t thought of that before.”
“I was so busy being present for her—I didn’t have my father, and I know how that hurts. I never thought of her as an adult or…”
“Hey… Don’t let the fear grip you again,” Dee said quietly, stroking my chest. “Change is already happening—and with you and Melek leading… even more will come.”
I sighed as I grinned. “I’d like to come.”
It took her a moment. Then she snorted. “So much for comforting you. I should have known.”
“Oh, I need comforting,” I said, nodding my head and pulling her to me. “I need alotof comforting. I’m very scared. Very sad.Terrified.A fear only warm flesh and soft cries would help.”
Diadre snorted again, but when I kissed her, thoughts of our daughter and her future flitted away—and my mate’s body softened in the most delicious ways.
Minutes later, half-dressed and panting, I looked outside. The sky was darkening, but the sun still shone behind the mountains,turning them purple and pink, and the summer warmth hadn’t disappeared.
“Is Caelan here to help if she wakes?” I whispered hurriedly, sitting up and putting Diadre on her feet so I could remove her skirts.”
“Yes, but why—”
She squeaked when I stood and threw her over my shoulder, to carry her out to the balcony. “Because, tonight I want no chance of interruption… and I want to feel the air fluttering your hair against my chest… and other places.”
It took her a moment to realize what I meant—but when I placed her back on her feet on the balcony, her eyesandsmile were wicked.
“You better hold me tight,” she said as I wrapped my arms around her and manifested my wings.
I grinned. “Tight is my favorite.”
She cackled as I launched us both into the air.
EPILOGUE Pt. 2
~ YILAN ~
I stood next to the bed, with my hand on my mate’s shoulder, watching him teach our son—tucked into bed, but crying because he’d missed out on his special horse ride today—how to be a man. It made my thighs tremble.
