Ollie’s eyes become brighter as they fill with tears, and her lips tremble, making my heart clench. “What is it, sweetheart?”
“I miss Mama.”
I pull Ollie into a tight hug and kiss the top of her head. “I know. I’m so sorry we were too late.”
Ollie shakes in my arms, crying. It isn’t an ugly, loud sob, but quiet, and somehow more painful. There’s nothing I can say that will make things better, so I just keep hugging her until she quiets down. After a while, she pulls back, and I dry her wet cheeks with my thumbs. “I won’t let any harm come to you, Ollie. I promise.”
“Can I come live with you and Cheryl?”
Cheryl and I haven’t talked about our future yet, or the children, but in that moment, there’s only one right answer. “Yes, of course.”
Ollie rewards me with a sweet smile, and my heart overflows with emotion. “And Rio too?”
“Yes.”
She cocks her head in a most adorable way, narrowing her delicate eyebrows. “Are you going to make more babies with Cheryl?”
Heat spreads across my cheeks as I grasp for words, something that has never happened to me before. “Uh…”
“Hmmm… making babies sounds fun,” Cheryl replies from the connecting door, cradling Rio. Her eyes dance with amusement, to my further mortification.
Ollie runs to give her a hug. “You’re awake. Come play with us.”
“What are you playing?”
“We haven’t decided yet,” I reply.
“How about you help Ronan change Rio’s diaper?” The corners of her eyes crinkle.
I put my hands on my hips, faking indigitation. “Oh, now you want my help.”
She shrugs. “Naturally. I’m responsible for what goes in, and you’re responsible for what comes out.”
Shaking my head, I walk over and kiss her before taking Rio. “All right, little guy. It’s you and me now.”
“Have you ever changed a diaper before?”
I pause, then look over my shoulder. “No. How hard can it be?”
“Famous last words.” She laughs, but then Ollie tugs her sleeve, drawing her attention.
“Can you change into a wolf so we can play?”
“Yeah, I suppose I can.”
Ollie claps her hands and does little jumps that fills me with joy. “Yay!”
Cheryl lifts her gaze to mine, and I can see my happiness mirrored in her eyes. Not that I had any doubt she’s moved by this moment too. Her emotions swirl in my chest, and I can’t wait for our time in Ellnesari to be over. First, though, we must successfully accomplish what we came for. Dethrone a psychotic queen, rescue Manu and Karl, and save our world. Piece of cake.
Forty-Five
CHERYL
ELLNESARI, PRESENT DAY
Ronan and I stayed with the children for as long as we could, but eventually, the ladies-in-waiting showed up and ushered us out of their room. It was time to get ready for the royal luncheon. No word yet about King Ruel and whether he would arrive today, which was worrying. What could be delaying him?
I allowed myself to be distracted by pretty gowns and pampering, but now that I’m all buffered, the uneasiness has returned to gnaw at my insides. We shouldn’t be attending fancy royal events when we don’t know the fate of Karl and Manu. I’m not one to stick my head in the sand and pretend everything is fine—or worse, let others take care of things while I wait on the sidelines.
