“What?” He asked in a panic, his eyes darting back and forth between the door and Carmen
, who lay
panting
on
their bed.
“Put some pants on before you bring everyone in here,” she instructed before she moaned long and loud. “I need you! Now, the babies, now.”
“What?” He asked again, falling over face first as he got tangled up trying to pull his pants on. He grabbed his
comlink
and fumbled with it
,
trying to activate it. “Help! Carmen, babies, now, help!” He yelled hoarsely into it as he climbed back to his feet, jumping up and down to get his pants the rest of the way up.
He barely got them
partially
fastened before Carmen let out a guttural cry of pain. He reached for her, pulling her damp nightgown up to see if there was anything he could do. He saw the head of one of his daughters cresting just before his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell to the floor. Carmen looked down on the floor and let out a loud scream as their first daughter pushed through. Within moments, Morian was next to her as well as Tandor and several of the other healers. Three of them and Morian tended to Carmen as she delivered first one th
e
n their second daughter within five minutes of each other. The other healer ordered two warriors who were looking very pale to help him carry Creon out into the living quarters where they quickly deposited his unconscious body on the couch before they disappeared out the door again.
“What? Where? Carmen?” Creon muttered as he slowly came to
several minutes later
. He lay on the couch for a few seconds before he remembered. Rolling
,
he grunted when he hit the floor again before cursing when he hit his head on the low table in front of it. “CARMEN!” He yelled in a panic trying to get up.
The healer reached out and gripped his arm. “CARMEN!” He yelled again as he jerked away unsteadily. “CARMEN!” He called out frantically when he didn’t get a response.
He rushed back to their bedroom. Carmen lay propped up against the headboard of the bed. A tiny, bundled figure in her arms nestled against one breast. He moved forward only to stop when his mother stood up and turned with another small bundle in her arms. He
stepped
forward, entranced by the small gurgling sounds. His mother held out the small bundle she was holding. Instinctively, his hands reached out and he carefully pulled it toward him. His eyes widened when he saw the thick black hair covering the tiny head. Brilliant brown eyes stared up at him and a tiny fist waved in the air as if searching for something. He raised his hand and held out his smallest finger. The tiny hand gripped it eagerly, pulling it into her tiny mouth and sucking on it.
“She’s beautiful,” he whispered in amazement.
His eyes lifted to Carmen’s. Tears glistened in his eyes as he looked at his beautiful mate. He slowly walked over to her and sat down next to her. She gently pulled the tiny mouth away from her breast and burped her before holding her out for Creon. He pulled his finger away from his daughter’s tiny mouth, frowning
with worry
when she whimpered.
“Let me feed her as well,” Carmen said softly, holding out the tiny bundle now full and sleeping.
Creon carefully laid his fussy daughter down against Carmen before carefully lifting the soft, sleeping infant. She had hair as white as Carmen’s. She opened her golden eyes briefly to stare at him
. She opened her mouth and
yawn
ed,
smack
ing
her tiny mouth several times before she closed her eyes again in contentment.
He lifted his eyes when he felt his mate’s hand brushing along his cheek. He felt the cool, dampness from his tears. He had so much to live for. He would do everything in his power to protect his mate and his daughters from harm.
“I know,” Carmen whispered tiredly. “Together
.
W
e will protect them together.”
“What would you like to name them,” he asked quietly.
“Spring and Phoenix,” Carmen said looking at their daughters. “Both mean new beginnings, rebirth, hope, life.”
He looked at the pale figure laying in his arms. “Spring,” he murmured softly. “I like that. Phoenix looks like she is enjoying her meal.”
Carmen blushed as her eyes moved to Morian who was cleaning up the room.
Morian
chuckled as she looked at Creon and Carmen with their new daughters. She had made the right decision when she decided it was not her time to leave this world. Her sons would need help and her daughters would need to band together when the men became to
o
protective. She felt a blush rise as she thought of the dark eyes of a certain human who had returned wi
th Kelan and Trisha. His look had
been….
Morian shook her head. She was too old for such fanciful thoughts.
She must have misunderstood. She had only met him briefly. But still, he….
She
released a soft
sigh
.
“I will be close should you need me,” Morian said as she quietly laid the last of the clean linens in the small crib set up near the bed.
“Thank you, Morian,” Carmen said tiredly as the after
effects
of too little sleep combined with having the babies pulled on her.
Morian came over and took Phoenix out of her arms. “Sleep child,” she said softly. “They will wake you when they are hungry again.”
Creon held Spring against him tightly for a moment before he stood up and laid her gently down next to her sister. They turned almost immediately toward each other, touching just a little before settling down again. Creon stood over them gazing at them in awe. Everything about them was perfect. He looked back at Carmen who was asleep
still
sitting up.
“Go to your mate, Creon. She needs you now more than your daughter
s
,” Morian encouraged.
Creon looked down at his mother. He bent down and brushed a kiss across her forehead. His throat was tight but he felt he needed to tell her how much her help meant to him.
“Thank you,
Dola
, for everything,” he said quietly. “
You
saw the pain and grief inside my mate before I did. Without your guidance I don’t know if I would have seen it in time. Your guidance and love
has made
me a stronger, better warrior,” he said with quiet conviction. “Her love fills my life to overflowing.”
Morian brushed a kiss against her youngest son’s cheek. “Just as your father and you and your brothers have filled mine.”
Carmen’s soft sigh caressed the air. “Go to her,” Morian encouraged again.
Creon didn’t need any more encouragement. He gently lifted his mate
and laid her
back down until she was lying comfortably before he crawled in next to her. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and pressed a kiss to her silky hair.
“You are not the only one to rise from the ashes, my beautiful
Phoenix
,” Creon whispered tenderly. “I have risen alongside you.
Together
, with our daughters, we will begin a new life.”
To be continued….. Paul’s Pursuit…
Susan Smith has always been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her evenings and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. An affirmed “geek,” she spends her days working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy. Fans can reach her at
[email protected]
or visit her web site at
http://sesmithfl.com
.
Additional Books:
Abducting Abby
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)
Capturing Cara
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)
Tracking Trisha
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)
Ambushing Ariel
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)
Cornering Carmen
(Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)
Choosing Riley
(Sarafin Warriors: Book 1) Coming Soon
River’s Run
(Lords of Kassis: Book 1)
Star’s Storm
(Lords of Kassis: Book 2) Coming Soon
Tink’s Neverland
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 1)
Hannah’s Warrior
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)
Tansy’s Titan
(Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)
Gracie’s Touch
(Zion Warriors: Book 1)
Lily’s Cowboys
(Heaven Sent)
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