She wiggled merrily, giggling, her red and black hair swaying with her rocking motion as she started again, staring down at me where she lay on my chest. “Ba-blah-blah-bu-ba-ba.” She laughed, hiccupping with her merriment, which she then thought was equally hilarious and just about rolled off me with her hilarity.
“That’s right,” I nodded grandly, smiling at my daughter and holding her safely. One of my true joys in life. I brushed my hand tenderly through her soft hair, amazed every day at how fast she was growing. She may be tiny for a Mystical her age — just a little over three months old now — but it seemed like she was huge. “You tell meallabout it.”
This was part of my cherished free time. I had taken only a week to recover after giving birth to her and having my tubes magically tied — again — before going back to work, my duty unbreakable. Plus, I couldn’t do anything to rouse suspicions. The fact that so many had seen me ill when I was in labor had actually worked in my favor, giving me an excuse for being gone for the entire week. I had told everyone that I had simply been overworked, and it had made me ill. The excuse was true, and no one batted an eye, most already having taken a few days here and there for relaxation from our stressful duties. But, on the plus side, going back to work meant I got to alleviate my anger by fighting again, the one other true joy in my life.
I opened my eyes wide when Isa changed up her babbling to make a ‘ma’ sound. Coaxingly, I urged, “Ma…ma.” I was determined that was going to be her first word. I nodded, smiling blindingly. “Come on, Isa. Saymama.”
She blew a raspberry instead, then to add insult to injury she babbled, “Pa.” And stared. “Pa.”
My eyes narrowed.
Antonio had been spending a lot of time with her when I wasn’t around. He had better not have been trying to get her to say ‘papa’ or ‘grandpa’ yet. I had gotten over the fact that he was dead set on calling her ‘granddaughter’ every time he was around because he pretty much was her grandfather, but still, he was not going to own her first word. That was mine. Staring into her eyes that had once been blue, but were now the most stunning spring green, I pointed the tip of my finger against her bitty bronze nose, her coloring darker than my peaches-and-cream complexion. “Mama. Not pa.”
She grunted, shaking her head swiftly and puckering her Cupid’s bow mouth. “Pa.”
My lips pinched, and I held her close, lifting us off the bed and marching straight out of my tent. Everyone had seen her here, so it was no longer a shock when they saw me carrying a Vampire baby, the legal adoption process having been completed. I had gotten some grief from the Shifter Elders —I had to kick the living shit out of one for his comment, greatly enjoying it — but adopting a child wasn’t anything they could really argue about, plus most here knew and respected/feared me. Now, they practically called me a saint because I had adopted one of our own ‘needy’ children, so many kids having lost their parents already in this war. I only kept my distance, like normal, letting them believe what they wished since it worked in my and Isa’s favor.
Isa bounced in my arms, clapping her hands because we were outside, staring up at the Mage-spelled protection dome over our encampment.
Not bothering to ask for entrance, I barged inside Antonio’s tent, which was almost identical to mine if you disregarded all of the golden spells lingering throughout. He was lying on the couch, relaxing while reading a book. Again, as normal, the very sight of him made my blood run cold. When his startled gaze met mine, I demanded, “You’ve takenmyfirst word! You’re not supposed to do that!” I pointed at my chest, riotous anger flooding my veins, melting a bit of the ice. “It was supposed to bemine!”
Isa quieted in my arms, her gaze watchful with her eyes darting back and forth between the two of us. She was extremely intelligent for a child, and that wasn’t just my hopeful wish as her mother. She watched everything with a keen eye, cautious like me, but extremely intuitive when the situation called for it. I was pretty sure that was caused by her strong Vampire genes; it was almost as if she was already scenting emotions, which she couldn’t yet do, though it sometimes seemed like it. And yes, I was a proud mommy.
Antonio sat up, carefully placing his book on the coffee table. “Lil, I don’t understand what you’re accusing me of.”
I huffed, glancing down at Isa. Smiling gently, I kissed her forehead to loosen her from her quietness, bouncing her a little, then I asked in a soothing voice, pointing at Antonio, “Isa, who is that?” I bounced her again, laughing lightly, almost completely faking it, but not wholly because she grinned at me. “Can you tell me who he is?”
She giggled and opened her arms wide in Antonio’s direction. “Pa.”
My wolf growled, my attention slamming to Antonio.
He tried to hide it, I could tell he really did, but a huge, flashing grin still graced his handsome features, and he was instantly on his feet, lifting her from my arms. Hell, he even twirled her while she giggled and squealed in excitement.
My wolf huffed, irritated…but, at the same time, I loved seeing her so happy.
Still, I grumbled, “She was so close to sayingmama.”
Antonio chuckled, but he quickly coughed to cover it and held Isa close. “I’m sure she’ll say it next.”
I pointed at myself. “I was supposed to be first.” My eyes went to Isa, and I nodded, whispering, “Can you saymama?”
She giggled, tucking her head under Antonio’s chin. “Pa.”
I groaned, throwing my hands up in the air because there was absolutely no fighting that face. “Fine.” I tilted my head back and forth in time to the sounds. “Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa.” She giggled, so I did it again. I sighed in motherly resignation, taking her back from Antonio, but complained to him, “It doesn’t mean she loves you more. It’s just easier to say.”
His lips twitched. “I know.”
I bared my teeth, but I stalled and blinked when an official, spelled letter with my name on it appeared directly in front of my face. It continued to hover there, not moving. I growled softly but handed Isa back to Antonio, then I plucked the letter from the air. I cracked the seal and pulled the sheet of thick paper out of the envelope.
Unfolding it, I read its contents.
Reread it. “What the fuck?”
“What does it say?” Antonio asked, maneuvering to read over my shoulder.
I turned toward the light, hearing Antonio exhale heavily when he didn’t get a chance to snoop. Peering at it closer, I made sure I was reading it correctly. I shook my head, seriously confused because we were doing so well here in Australia. In the three months since I had gone back onto the battlefield, we had almost reached the northern area where the Royal Australian Army bases were. Not that it was because of just me, but still, only three months.
I waved the letter. “It’s from Elder Harcourt. He’s relocating us to the US. Says he’s moving some of the Elders, Kings, and Queens around, trying different Mysticals in power together, attempting to find a better fit. He hopes it will benefit our efforts in the war.”
