Chapter 69

Elena

Carrying my child, I left the dining room in a hurry.

I could tell my attendants stood for a moment, confused by the scene, and then Liana’s nanny followed behind me. Killian had turned away, striking up a conversation at the next table. But I knew his eyes followed me until I was fully out of sight.

The entire hotel had been rented out for our event, but I was glad to see that most attendees were at the dinner and not in the lobby or elevator.

Liana could tell I was upset and kept her grip around me. She hummed gently, a new habit she had when trying to soothe herself and apparently now others. It almost tickled to share her vibration, but it did make me feel better by the time I got us back to our room.

I ordered us room service as a treat, more for me than for her, and let her have extra bath time to play with her toys.

We crawled into one of the two beds in the room, leaving her portable crib to the side for now. She was getting bigger, and loved sleeping next to me whenever I would let her. And tonight, I couldn’t bear to have her even a few feet away from me.

Her little body nestled into my arm pit, and I pulled out of bright storybooks we’d packed from home. She liked to put her finger on the page, as if she could read along with me as I spoke the words aloud. Her eyes were so intent and focused that I imagined she was a tiny genius already capable of reading and writing.

When the book was finished and I put it away, she was still restless. She screamed when I tried to turn out the light, and I worried someone might come knocking on our door to report me for child abuse. She pointed to her books, but then to me, babbling along in the language that was so close to becoming real.

I sighed, and snuggled back down with her. She crawled on top of me and I rubbed her back. She placed her ear on my chest, clearly enjoying the subtle thump thump underneath. She made an impatient whimper which told me I’d better entertain her soon.

“Once upon a time,” I started, focusing on the delicate hairs on the top of her head, “there was a young woman, a Luna, and she had a very hard childhood.”

I started too dark, so lightened it up for both of us.

“She got lost, away from her mother and father, and didn’t know if she would ever find them again.”

That was true and less frightening.

“But then,” I turned further towards the bright side of the fairytale, “Fate stepped in to help the girl. Fate brought her a Mate, and their love and partnership was stronger than any hurricane, and more pure than mountain-top snow. It wasn’t a perfect love, but it was theirs and they cherished it more than any kingdom in the world.”

Liana had turned to look up at me.

“And together,” I went on, stroking the top of her head, “they brought a beautiful princess into the world. She was adventurous and kind, and always stood up for herself and others. And her name was…”

“Lnna,” she cooed.

“That’s right, Liana,” I said, smothering her face with kisses until she was giggling and squirming all over the bed.

It took me a moment to hear the other noise, and then recognize it as someone knocking on the door. They must’ve been making too much noise, though it wasn’t that late in the evening.

I plopped Liana back on the bed and pulled a robe over my nightdress as I walked to the door. I looked through the peephole, and almost wanted to pretend that I wasn’t there.

“Elena?”

I sighed, knowing I had to face the truth somehow or other. I opened the door, and there he was.

Killian.

“Can I help you?” I was putting up a strong line of defense, not wanting to see how hurt I was by his earlier reaction.

“Elena, I’m so sorry,” he said, holding his ground in the hallway. His fingers were alert as if he wanted to touch me, and I almost hoped he would. But I also wanted to slap him for disrespecting my daughter. “I was so wrong to assume—“

“To assume that I was whoring myself around after I left, after I escaped from a woman who was trying to kill me?”

He waited, letting me get out my rant. I said it in a hissed whisper, not wanting to upset my daughter. I wasn't so lucky.

“I know, I’m an ass,” he said in response, and I agreed so I shut up. “I spoke to your team later, after dinner. They told me about her.”

He tossed his head in the direction of the rest of the room.

“Moon Magic.”

I exhaled loudly, my shoulders suddenly so heavy from carrying this emotional weight around. I nodded slowly.

“So it’s true then?” He asked, earnest. “She’s my daughter?”

“Yes,” I said, all the fight going out of me. “She’s ours.”

As if summoned, she appeared at my legs, curious. Not only was she walking well on her own, but apparently she was doing it with stealth too.

“I’m sorry, we were just getting ready for bed,” I said, placing my hand on her head.

“No, I’m sorry to intrude,” Killian said, his eyes fixed on Liana. “It was just so nice to see your mama, and you, little princess.”

I felt her perk up the minute he spoke, but I knew I had to follow her lead. My eyes were on Killian. Her arm reached out and she stepped away from me and towards him. She hardly made a sound, she just went to where she wanted to be.

Killian’s face was quivering with joy and awe, and he seemed unsure if he could interact with the small girl attaching herself to him. Liana had both hands around one leg of his trousers, and once she found her balance she looked up at him.

She waited.

Killian made a noise I’d never heard him make before, between a sigh and a sob. He looked at me, asking for permission. I nodded, and watched my Mate reach down and pick up his daughter for the first time.

She squealed as he hoisted her up, adding an extra jump just to make her laugh. My eyes were full of tears waiting to spill down my face, and without thinking I reached a hand to hold his arm as he cradled our child.

“Come in,” I told him, stepping back and opening the door wider.

Killian took cautious steps into the room, one hand cradling Liana’s head against his chest. His eyes were misty, and he was clearly holding in emotion so he didn’t disturb the sleepy girl in his arms.

He placed Liana down on the bed where we had been lying together, and as soon as he separated from her she was reaching up to him. A small whine communicated she wanted him to stay, and he looked at me for approval. I nodded again, and he carefully took off his shoes and sat down on top of the blanket while she crawled underneath.

Liana tried lifting his arm, but he got the message and made a nook under his arm where she could settle. I stayed at the end of the bed, watching. I knew tears were falling down my face, but I didn’t care. I was trying to capture this image in my mind, keeping it like a photograph I could return to when I needed to feel happy.

Killian felt me looking, and his eyes were just as glassy as mine. He looked to the space on the other side of our daughter, then back to me. I crawled in until our bodies sandwiched her between us. I lay on my side, stretching my arm across Liana and toward Killian. He intertwined his fingers in mine, and Liana sighed happily as if she felt her parents reconnecting.

We stayed in that position for a while, until the steadiness of Liana’s breath told us she was fast asleep. My eyes were half open when I felt the bed shift and noticed Killian was moving and putting on his shoes.

He was going to leave.

“Wait,” I whispered.

He didn’t look immediately, but his whole body exhaled before he stood and looked at me.

“It’s late,” he said, as if that was a valid excuse.

My throat was dry, and when I didn’t respond he smiled and walked carefully towards the door. A fire lit within me, and I knew if he left now I might lose him again. I slid myself out of the bed, following him to the door. His hand was on the doorknob when my own had touched his back.

I felt him shiver, fighting his instincts and waiting for my permission.

“Stay.”

He turned so quickly I almost fell backwards. Luckily his arms were around my back, his lips were on mine, and then I didn’t have to think about anything else.

Killian’s voice whispered in my head.

“I’ll never lose you again.”