Page 82 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

He was afraid to move, but Merlin's hands guided him.

As he gently lowered the bundle onto her chest, she folded both arms around the boy and looked down at the red fluff and the fists, her eyes shining with love and awe. "Hello, little guy. You were a lot of work. You didn't want to come out and face the world."

"Smart boy," Merlin said. "It's cold and miserable out here. Figuratively."

Bridget ignored the comment and looked up, past Turner's shoulder.

"Julian. Come here."

Julian came with the towel still draped over his arm and bent down.

Bridget reached up with her other arm, pulled him in, and held him. Julian rested his hand on the small of his brother's back and left it there.

"Victor, you too." She motioned for him to join the embrace. "Merlin, take a picture of our family welcoming its newest member into the world."

"Yes, ma'am."

29

KHIANN

Through his window, Khiann heard the cart leave early in the morning, the electric whine of the motor pulling away, then the wheels crunching over the gravel. He wondered why Ogidu or Oridu needed the cart so early in the day, and curiosity eventually got him out of bed.

As usual, it took him forever to get to the bathroom and get ready for the day, and when he emerged from his bedroom, Annani was sitting at the breakfast table.

"Coffee?" she asked.

"Please."

He walked to the chair and carefully lowered himself into it. "I heard the cart leave earlier."

"Oh, yes. Bridget's water broke, and I had the closest cart. I sent Ogidu to her house, and Julian drove her to the clinic. Ogidu returned on foot."

Khiann was not entirely sure what water breaking meant, but he knew that Bridget was close to having her baby, so it must be something connected to that.

"So, the baby is coming today," he said.

"I hope so. It is not Bridget's first, but it has been a long time since she had Julian, so it might take some time." Annani poured his coffee. "Except for Alena and Kian, who were born pretty close to one another, my other children were born centuries apart. My body remembered how it was done, but most importantly, I did, so I was calm. Bridget was calm as well, but she always is."

Khiann nodded. "I like Bridget. She inspires confidence."

"She does." Annani poured herself more tea. "Gertrude is assisting Merlin, so she probably will not come today. You get to take a break."

"What about Hildegard?"

"Your guards need her." Annani chuckled. "She has her hands full with them."

He grimaced. "I can imagine. Four like me is a lot to handle."

She leaned over and took his hand. "You are not a lot to handle. You are a pleasure to have. I wake up each morning and cannot believe I am going to see you at the breakfast table." She smiled and lowered her eyelashes. "I am looking forward to the day I will wake up in your arms."

He wanted that too, but not before he could actually hold her. That one time in the closet had been encouraging, but he had a long way to go before he would be worthy of sharing Annani's bed.

"No pressure," she said, probably noticing his discomfort. "All in good time."

He nodded. "There is a lot of work I need to put in before those good times come, which means I should not take a break just because Gertrude cannot come. I can do the exercises on my own."

"I will walk with you," Annani said. "Someone needs to watch over you in case you fall. Unless you prefer Ogidu to do that."