Of Blood and Sacrifice (Royal Fae Guardians Book 2) Page 15
“Do you think you can waddle your way to your parents’ tree?” she asked once I was finally up.
“I think I can manage.” Porting in the last trimester was a hard no, and I’d had to get used to walking a lot, but it also kept me in shape, considering my only workouts consisted of punching Ryland for telling me I couldn’t do anything to overexert myself.
Still, he didn’t learn his lessons. Overprotective brute.
Ten minutes later and we’d arrived, but Jordan stopped us to clean up Cami before we went around the corner. Only about a quarter of the chocolate bar had made it in her mouth; the rest was all over her face, hands, and Jordan’s shoulder.
“The payback is going to be so joyous,” Jordan murmured once she was done and we continued.
Going up the hill to visit my parents was physically getting harder as the days passed, but I still made the trek once a week to give them updates, because emotionally it made me feel better to keep them involved. Stryx told me they knew regardless if I visited, but even after all this time, I couldn’t quite let them go.
When we got to the top and could see the massive oak that was their grave marker, my feet stopped moving. My eyes burned with instant tears as I tried to open my mouth to say something.
“Party!” Cami called out again, and Jordan let her down as she ran ahead to her father.
“Ryland wanted to give you something special, and he called in a few favors owed,” Jordan said when I couldn’t speak.
Standing before me was everyone I cared about most in all the worlds. Everyone including my parents.
“How?” was all I could squeak out.
“Don’t question it. Just go enjoy your time and thank your Meraki.”
I knew she was being modest. Jordan had been just as involved based upon all of their secret meet-ups, so before I moved on, I awkwardly hugged her with my growing belly in the way. “You’re the best friend and soul sister a girl could ever ask for.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, Chuck. Now, stop with the mushy stuff. I still have a reputation to uphold, and I can’t be seen crying in public.”
Motherhood hadn’t changed her one bit.
Without needing any more prodding, I waddled as fast as my body would let me toward my parents, who hadn’t moved an inch, but held their arms open for me.
“They’d come to you, but they can’t be more than twenty feet from the tree,” Jordan answered my unspoken question.
Blinding tears flowed freely down my face as it all really set in. My parents were there. I was going to get a proper goodbye.
By the time I tumbled into their arms, I was a blubbering mess and Ryland had moved in behind me while Jordan gave us some space.
“Sweet girl, it’s okay,” Dad whispered in my ear as I hiccupped against his chest, then switched to my mom.
“You have made us so proud, Kaliah,” Mom said as she lifted my chin and wiped away my tears.
“I’ve missed you both so much,” I mumbled through the emotions.
“We know, and we’ve heard every conversation while wishing we could talk back,” she replied with a smile.
“How are you here now?” I asked, glancing back at Ryland.
“Your Meraki is rather persuasive. He’s been working on this for over a year,” Dad answered while nudging me toward Ryland.
I threw my arms around him. “Thank you.”
He brushed my hair back from my face. “I just wish it could have happened sooner.”
“Oh!” My hands went to my stomach as pain coursed through it, then I almost died of embarrassment as liquid trailed down my legs. “Um, I think…”
“Kaliah, your water just broke,” my mom exclaimed.
“It’s fine. I’ll be fine. Jordan was in labor for nearly a full day. We still have time.” Panic gripped at me. As much as I wanted to meet our son, I needed this time with my parents.
Another contraction barreled through me, and I doubled over. The Fates couldn’t be this cruel.
Lorelle walked closer with a grin on her face. “Brooks, Daliah. Mind if I borrow your daughter for a few hours?”
“You knew, didn’t you? You told me I had another week,” I growled through another contraction.
“This old lady has to get her kicks from somewhere.”
“We’ll be right here, sweet girl. Just breathe,” Mom said as they both hugged me once more.
Once I was done saying goodbye much too soon, Ryland held both my arms and led me away from everyone who had shown up for the surprise. I’d never even gotten to say hi to Oliver and Brooke who were visiting from the Otherworld. He’d moved there shortly after the big battle and the chance they were still taking was working out. Merakis weren’t the most common thing, and even if they weren’t officially bonded, they were happy and that was most important.
“We love you,” Dad called out, and I turned around to blow him a kiss.
Come on, baby boy. Momma needs you to come quickly so you can meet Grandpa and Grandma.
Within two hours, I was holding our sweet boy in my arms with Jordan, Ryland, and Stryx around me as Lorelle came and went from the room I’d been moved to after giving birth in the pool beneath the falls. The delivery went smoothly and all that was left to do was give him a name.
“Are you going to tell us yet?” Jordan asked as she stroked the tuft of russet hair on his tiny head.
“I think we should wait to tell everyone at once,” Ryland answered, and I agreed.
Normally, I hated surprises, but since my parents were waiting for us, this was one I could get behind. I wanted them to hear it first as well.
Stryx was at my feet and carefully walked forward until his wing could spread over the baby. “Whatever his name is, he will be destined for greatness.”
My spare hand reached for the owl and held on to his other wing. “Thank you.”
Stryx had come and gone over the last two years, but our bond remained intact, stronger than ever. We would forever be a part of each other’s lives, and I couldn’t wait for him to teach my son all the things he’d once taught me.
“How about we get you back to your parents if you’re up for walking,” Ryland suggested.
I wasn’t nearly as sore as I would have expected after watching Jordan’s delivery, but I soon figured out why.
“Consider your health my baby present.” Lorelle popped back in to check on the baby once more.
Jordan scoffed, but I shushed her. “My parents,” I reminded her.
“Okay, fine, but you get no special treatment on the next delivery. If I hurt, then so do you.”
My head shook as Ryland took our son from my arms and Stryx flew toward the door. Jordan came around and helped me from the bed. Even though I wasn’t hurting, I’d still pushed a baby out. Taking those first few steps without my belly were wobbly.
Once we were outside, Ryland had said we could port with the baby, but I wasn’t liking the idea of watching my son disappear so soon after giving birth, even if I’d done it myself thousands of times before I’d been pregnant. So, we walked from Lorelle’s back to the hill, this time with a little more speed.
Oliver, Brooke, Cynder, Dom, and my parents were still there and grinning from ear to ear. Oliver and Brooke met us first to get a peek before I got to my parents.
Gone was the gruff man my dad normally presented himself as, and in his place was a sniffling grandfather. Mom nodded to me, and I passed their grandchild to my father first. “Dad, we’d like you to meet Harrison Brooks Clarke, named after his two grandfathers that we’d thought he’d never meet.”
Mom began to tear up as well. “It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful little boy.”
Ryland wrapped his arms around me, and our eyes met. “Thank you for giving me our son.”
“You can take some of the credit, I guess,” I teased.
His hands cupped my cheeks, and he lightly pressed his lips against mine. “I love you with all my heart and soul.”
“An
d I love you just as much.”
Even though we’d had to fight for our happily-ever-after, there was no one I wanted by my side more than Ryland. Now and forever, he would always be my anchor, and I would always be his.
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About the Author
Heather Renee is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Oregon. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels with a mixture of adventure, humor, and sass. Her love of reading eventually led to her passion for writing and giving the gift of escapism.
When Heather’s not writing, she is spending time with her loving husband and beautiful daughter, going on their own adventures. For more ways to connect with her, visit www.HeatherReneeAuthor.com.