Sol’s nostrils flared, and he shot a glare at Nya, scowled, then promptly disappeared through a portal. As soon as he was gone, the tension in the room eased, and Nyx asked, “Do you need anything?”
Nya shook her head, gritting out, “We have very capable midwives.”
“Whom we are going to request come to the palace right now,” Morgen said, glancing pointedly at Vulcan, who muttered, “Fine, yes, I’m on it,” and hurried out of the room.
Bella and Janis disappeared without Nya noticing, and Juno touched Nyx’s arm. “We should go. Send word later.”
Morgen nodded distractedly, and they disappeared with Thanatos.
“Alright,” Morgen said once they were gone. “Let’s have this baby.”
She blew out a shaky breath. “A sentence I never thought I’d hear you say ten years ago.”
He chuckled, slowly easing her up. “Yet, here I am, saying it for the third time.”
She let out a breathy laugh that ended in a wince.
Do try to keep the pathway closed my way until the babe has arrived,Varax said.Someone opened it up last time for a few hours, and I cannot communicate the level of anxiety it created in me.
Morgen kissed Nya’s hand.How do you think I feel, Varax?
I would prefer not to consider it.
A short three hours later, Nya stared at the tiny, mewling baby in her arms. Morgen was positioned behind her on the bed, and he let out a breathy laugh as the baby grabbed at his pinky.
“She has long fingers,” he murmured.
Nya nodded. “They aren’t small and stubby like Rhiann or Thia’s were when they were born. She has your hands, I think. And your eyes and mouth. Really, she doesn’t look like me much at all.”
“She has your nose,” he said softly. “But everything else…I think you’re right.”
“I know I’m right.”
The baby had fallen asleep, hand curled around his finger. Nya took a deep breath and said quietly, “Morgen, I think it’s time.”
He stiffened slightly. “I don’t know.”
“It won’t hurt her. You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Butsheis who I saw in the dream. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on her, and I promised I wouldn’t forget her name.”
“You haven’t. Isn’t that enough?”
Nya took a deep breath. She had known this was going to be hard for Morgen, when the time came to give one of their children the name the void had given her in a dream. He still feared the creature who had tried to take her and their world with it. She didn’t blame him; she would fear it too if she was anyone else, if she hadn’t experienced what she had. But she meant it when she told him it wouldn’t hurt her or their baby. Naming her daughter for the void was simply a reminder it was not alone, a way for its name to forever be remembered in this world.
“Ithesoa,” she whispered, gently adjusting the soft baby blanket. “Your name is Ithesoa.”
She had never said it aloud, never even told Morgen the exact name she had been given in the dream, but as he heard it, he sucked in a surprised breath.
“See?” she said, glancing back at him. “It’s her.”
His throat worked as he said hoarsely, “Yeah, it is.”
She leaned against him, and Varax let out an audible breath down the pathway.
I am proud of you both, you know,she said.I was told by many of my kind that choosing your soul was a mistake, that Fate had already made its choice, and I was damning myself along with you. I always hoped to prove them wrong, and you know how vain I am. It would have been too bad had they been right.
Nya glanced at Morgen, who was smiling faintly and shaking his head slightly so as to not wake the sleeping baby in her arms. His eyes were still on Nya when he replied,I’m glad you were sohellbent on being right, Varax. I suppose you were wise enough to see what we could not before.
And what is that?Varax asked, sounding vaguely amused.
That we cannot choose where Fate makes our beginning, but we can certainly push against its hand in the end.
Nya nodded, and Morgen kissed her head as she added,There are some things stronger than Fate.
It was a while later, when Morgen was carefully handing Rhiann the baby and Thia sat on Carus’ lap, that Varax replied.
My kind all told me your reign would be the harbinger of the end. Now, they say it is the beginning of something new. Something better.
Nya’s lips twitched, and she met Morgen’s eyes from across the room. He smiled too, before Rhiann tugged at his sleeve.
She had felt the doom of her fate as long as she could remember. Now, she only felt peace at the thought of the years stretched far ahead.
