“You blessed our daughter,” Ciara whispered from where she leaned against Blane for strength.
“Of course, I did, she’s my niece. Plus, us girls need to stick together,” I smirked. Carefully handing Phoenix back to her mother, I turned to find Ryder leaning against the wall, regarding me silently. “Rest, you will be moved to the tower on my orders,” I said to Ciara, holding up my hand as she began to argue. “You need rest, and your daughter needs to feed. Fury is already there, and I’m sure he is in a hurry to meet his sweet baby sister. It’s not because we want you hidden or think you’re weak. I am moving into the tower myself, considering the current situation, and I wish to be with the women. We’re better together.”
“Okay,” Ciara agreed, nodding through the exhaustion of labor she’d just endured.
I stepped back, turning on my heel as I left the newborn babe with her parents to announce her arrival to the palace. Outside the room, there were couples lined up, waiting to learn if Ciara had given birth to a boy or girl.
“It’s a beautiful baby girl they’ve named Phoenix. She’s perfect, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s an exact replica of her mother.”
Fyra smiled and nodded her approval. Remy hooted and slammed Fyra on the back, sending her sailing into Zahruk, who stared down at her, then pushed her back toward Remy. It didn’t seem to bother Fyra, and I hid a smirk at the fire that burned in her gaze.
“I heard a rumor about an epic food fight,” Fyra snapped, and I lifted my eyes to hers. “Next time, remember that I have a vagina too, please. Also, way to go in court. Men think they run the world, but we have the one thing that they don’t. The one thing they crave and want most of all: a pussy. So, don’t forget about me. Plus, I’m good with a blade, and I like cake.”
“If we have another food fight, you’re welcome to join us. I’ll make a note that you’re a woman, too,” I said, smiling. “Us girls, we need to stick together, with the men playing war games. Us weak beings with tits and ass, well, we’ll find purpose in solidarity.”
“Our bedroom, now,” Ryder said, sifting without waiting to see if I followed him.
“Hmm, he forgot to schedule an appointment,” I announced, shrugging. “Doesn’t he know how this king and queen thing works? Men,” I huffed, while the women agreed, and the men snorted.
Chapter Eleven
Silent tears slipped from my eyes as I took in the darkening skies from the garden pool. Vivid purple and orange hues streaked the horizon as the sun began to set in the distance. Agony, caused by the ongoing deaths of the fae, rippled through me while I studied the utter perfection of the world Danu had created me to save. Now, I wondered if I’d actually be able to do it with the pain worsening every day. It was one thing to want to save Faery, but the mage from last night had been right. I was weakening with the deaths of so many fae targeted at once.
Flower petals floated on the water’s surface, glowing with the small pearls of lavender I’d dropped onto each one to calm my nerves. Rubbing the back of my neck, I slowly expelled a shuddering breath, releasing some of the tension. Music drifted up from the camp below the pool in the raised gardens. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, letting the melody of the song soothe the aches of my soul.
Power rippled through the small area, and I sensed Ryder before he’d finished sifting into the garden. I didn’t acknowledge his presence, knowing that it would piss him off to be ignored, but still recognizing his anger. I missed him in our bed, but more than that, I missed Ryder trusting me enough to tell me what he was planning. Instead, he’d turned cold and distant, ignoring our bond as partners, acting only as the formidable Horde King. I knew that’s who he needed to be right now, but that didn’t require him to