The following morning, Belle readied herself to depart for the witches’ kingdom with Steve, only for him to inform her, "I shall depart within the hour, for I have a seal to deliver." At this, she reluctantly released him. She knew well it was likely an order from Hezekiah, so she refrained from ntioning her own plans to seek a babysitter for Ezekiel.
Ti was not on her side and Ezekiel’s milk supply would not last much longer. With Ezekiel cradled in her arms, she road about the base, inquiring whether any among them were bound for the witches’ kingdom, yet all her efforts were in vain. It was only after several failed attempts that she realized the vain of her endeavor, none of the warriors would leave without the General’s command.
For a fleeting mont, she considered leaving on her own, but the thought was quickly dismissed. She did not wish to be a burden, nor did she desire to find herself lost or, worse, kidnapped. Were anything to befall her, it would place the warriors in great distress, especially Steve, who was charged with ensuring her safety.
On the verge of abandoning her efforts, she caught wind of a conversation between passing warriors.
"The General rides for the witches’ kingdom today. The Lord of the witches must have summoned him."
"Summoned him? He loathes the witches. If not for the King’s command, he would sooner dine with beggars than set foot in their lands. Why, then, would he heed her call?"
"It is no secret that he is fond of won. Perhaps that is the reason. The Lord of the witches is a grand prize compared to his forr wife and Lady Michelle."
"Indeed. If only I were a General myself."
Belle was not certain how to feel upon hearing such talk. Though she found so truth in their words, how dare they compare her to another woman? It was not as though she were in competition with any of them, nor did she concern herself with whom he lay with. Scoffing, she was about to leave when a thought struck her.
Her lips parted in realization before curling into a smile. Yes! Quinn was bound for the kingdom! She could use this to her advantage. He would not refuse her, not when bound by the royal command, and with him, Ezekiel would surely have a caretaker in no ti.
Without hesitation, she hastened toward his tent, quickening her pace when she spotted him astride his horse, poised to depart.
"Wait!" She called, breathless as she reached his side.
Quinn arched a brow at her, his gaze expectant. "You have yet to leave for the kingdom?"
"Take with you," she urged, drawing curious glances from the passing warriors. "Steve was summoned for official duty and shall not return for another hour."
"Then wait for him. The hour shall pass quickly," he replied, gathering the reins.
"No," she countered. "His milk shall not last until then. He feeds rather fast." She lowered her gaze to Ezekiel, who was suckling contentedly at his bottle.
For a mont, she feared rejection, for she saw it in his eyes. Yet, to her astonishnt, he rely exhaled and extended his hand.
"Climb."
A slow smile crept onto her lips as she adjusted Ezekiel in her arms. With care, she placed her free hand in his and mounted swiftly, settling before him.
"The road shall be rough," he warned, steadying his hold upon the reins. "Hold him tightly."
With that, he spurred the horse forward.
They soon arrived at the kingdom, and to her relief, Belle managed to persuade Quinn to assist her in finding a babysitter. And so, here they were, wandering through the streets, searching for a human babysitter.
"I do not babysit!"
"Do I look like a freaking babysitter?"
At every door they knocked upon, they were t with either polite refusals or outright hostility for assuming such a service was offered. Thirty minutes had passed, yet still, they had made no progress. Belle had not even found the ti to admire the kingdom as she had hoped.
"There are humans everywhere!" Frustrated, she mimicked Quinn’s earlier words, montarily forgetting that she was seated right before him.
"Hi! I heard you were searching for a babysitter?"
A voice called out, drawing Belle’s attention. She lifted her head, and her eyes brightened at the sight of a human. What were the odds?
"Yes, yes, we are! Just a mont," she replied before turning to Quinn. "Help down."
Without a word, he loosened his grip on the reins and assisted her in dismounting.
With eagerness, Belle hurried toward the stranger. "I am truly pleased to see you. My child requires a babysitter for a ti, and I thought a human best suited for the task. Where do you reside?"
Yet, as she stood before them, her brows furrowed. There was sothing peculiar about this babysitter. Was this a man or a woman?
As though reading her thoughts, the stranger reached up and pulled back the hood that had concealed their face. Belle muttered a quiet "Oh." It was a man—or rather, a man who dresses like a woman and carries himself with the grace of a woman. How strange. This was the first ti she had encountered such a thing.
"I am a crossdresser," he stated plainly. "It is your choice whether to judge for it, but I shall not force my services upon you."
His voice, unexpectedly, was more feminine than masculine. Though Belle harbored no judgnt regarding his gender, she hesitated. Could a man truly tend to a child? After all, in her experience, won had always been entrusted with the care of infants.
"No, it is not that," she said quickly. "I only wonder if you have experience with children. You see..." She trailed off, fumbling for the right words.
"Oh, that rule does not apply here," he replied with a knowing smile. "In the witches’ kingdom, n frequently tend to dostic duties and won rule here. That is why I ca, to dwell where I am accepted."
Belle nodded in understanding. That did make sense.
"What is your na?" She inquired.
"Linda, but Lin for short."
"Lin," she repeated, earning a smile from him.
Turning back toward Quinn, she frowned upon seeing that he had yet to dismount. With a small huff, she returned her gaze to Lin.
"Can you hold the baby for a mont?" She asked before carefully placing Ezekiel in his arms.
She then strode back to Quinn. "Why do you linger there? We must settle Ezekiel before we leave." She tilted her head up to et his gaze.
"I shall return for you here. If I cannot, I will send one of my n. Do not go with them unless they provide the code," he instructed, then, without another word, kicked his horse forward.
Belle scoffed in disbelief. Was he truly leaving her here, to fend for herself with no familiar faces?
"What code?" She called after him, suddenly realizing her error.
But he was already too far gone. What an insufferable man!
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