The crowd murmured in response to my speech, and my heart beat faster. I had never felt so impassioned or so passionate about anything in my entire life. It was clear that the majority of the people in the room agreed with me, but I felt strongly that the ones who wanted to harm the babies could be suppressed.
"She's right," Riley said. "We need to be better than that. We need to be stronger than they are. And we can do it without turning innocent little babies into monsters."
"This meeting is dismissed," Alexander said. "Go home, gather your forces. Prepare for war. We will not allow these babies to grow up in the arms of the Leyak, if for no other reason than we can't allow them to become soldiers to be used against us."
He saw my face, which probably looked as livid as I felt. "The main reason, of course, is that we cannot allow defenseless children to be used for anything except being raised in a safe, loving environment." Alexander’s brow furrowed when the crowd erupted into chatter, and his face turned red. He was a man used to being in charge and he didn’t like being disagreed with, especially in front of a crowd of people. He waited for more protests, but the look on his face said he wouldn't accept any arguments. "Good. Go prepare your people. I'll be in touch."
The amphitheater slowly emptied of people. Riley and I plopped down beside the baby to wait for the doctor to return. "I'll help you," she said. "We can go shopping as soon as we get the baby to the castle and safe."
"And we'll hire a nurse," Roan said. It took me a minute to realize that he was actually there. I hadn't heard him come up behind me. He squeezed my shoulder. "It won't all be on us."
I nodded and leaned back against Roan. "That would be really helpful."
"Of course," he said. He kissed the top of my head. "Anything for you."
"I love you," I said. He smelled like home and happiness and everything I'd ever wanted.
"I love you too."
Doryu sat down next to me and put his hand on my knee. "You did good," he said. "I'm proud of you." Doryu's scent washed over me, mingling with Roan's. Like fresh grass and the earth, the crisp fall air. “I will help you care for this child as well if you’d like.”
I leaned against him and sighed. "Thanks, but I don't think Alexander is going to be too happy with me for speaking out like that. And yes, I’d love your help. I’d even appreciate your company.."
"He'll get over it," Doryu said. He put his arm around me and pulled me close. "I'm sure he's just as passionate about this as you are."
I nodded. "I hope so."
"Everyone ready?" Alexander asked once the rest of the extended council and their combined forces were out of the room. The gathered armies had stood at the ready, awaiting their cue to march, so they'd disassembled quickly. "Cindy, do you mind?" Now it was just Riley and her men, me and my men, which was still a little crazy to think about, and Cindy.
And the baby with the scientist, of course. Couldn't forget them.
The witch shook her head. "Not at all." She created a portal with little to no trouble. "This will take us right to the castle."
"Great," Alexander said. He turned to me. "You coming?"
I nodded and looked at the baby. "The doctor is a scientist, and we definitely need that, but what about a pediatrician, and would a baby in an incubator like that need an obstetrician?"
Alexander shrugged. "I don't know, but I can find out quickly and get one to the castle in a hurry."
I shouldn't have doubted him. He was, after all, the king and had all the connections. "Okay, let's go."
He took my hand, and we stepped through the portal.
1
We all stoodin Alex's massive office, staring at the baby in awe. "Now what?" I whispered.
"Now we shop." Riley patted me on the back. "Axoular, Anthony, and Elias, will you get back to our children and make sure they're safe? I'm worried about being away from them for so long."
Axoular, Riley's Sárkány husband, nodded, but Anthony and Elias bristled. "And where are you going to be?" "With Jen, of course." Riley rolled her eyes. "We're going to go get baby things. Alexander is going to make sure the world is safe for our kids and that nothing bad happens to them."
Anthony and Elias shared a look. "We can do it," Anthony said. "We can go and keep an eye on the two of you while you shop."
"That doesn't solve the problem of me worrying about our children. Please, go home and protect them." She put a hand on her hip. "Need I remind you that I am pretty much a badass?"
Anthony and Elias both chuckled. "Yes, my love, we know." Anthony kissed her forehead. "But so are we."
"You are, but if anything happens to the children while we're —"
