*Daphne*
I grimaced as I bent to pick up the night dress that I had dropped on the plush rug beneath my bare feet.
“Hey, you really shouldn’t be bending anymore, Daphne,” Rion said, hurrying toward and snatching the garnt from the floor.
I straightened and blew out a frustrated breath. “This isn’t my first ti being pregnant, Rion,” I huffed in exasperation.
Rion ignored and quickly but carefully helped out of my day clothes so that I could change into my nightgown. It was such a simple task but lately, Rion insisted on helping , which I appreciated since it did make the process a lot easier.
He was so tender with , caressing my skin and pressing kisses to my swollen belly before tugging the fabric down.
“I know this isn’t your first ti being pregnant,” he finally said once I was redressed. “But that doesn’t an that I’m not going to be a tad bit protective for the duration of this pregnancy.”
“A tad!” I scoffed, rolling my eyes toward the ceiling.
Rion chuckled, but he was just proving my point as he threw the covers off the bed and helped into a sitting position against the padded headboard. He climbed in next to and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling close against his side. “Okay, fine, maybe just plain protective.”
“Try overprotective,” I corrected, but I leaned my head against him with contentnt. This pregnancy did seem more difficult than my last one. It felt like I was tired and sore all the ti now, but I wasn’t going to admit that to Rion. “But I do appreciate it at tis.”
Rion kissed my temple, his hand going up and down my arm as if he were trying to warm . “I don’t like how tired you’ve been,” he said, his voice laced with disapproval. “This pregnancy seems like it’s taking more of a toll on you than the last one.”
I flinched, but I shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d noticed. He was far more observant than pretty much anyone else I knew, aside from perhaps my mother. “It’s really not that bad,” I said, waving a hand.
He ignored , knowing that I was downplaying it. “I’ve been thinking that maybe we should stay here in Celestial City, at the very least until you give birth.”
I nodded, unsurprised by this. I had been having similar thoughts over the past couple of weeks. “That’s probably a good idea,” I said. “That would be best for Eva as well. They’re still working on your healing potion, right?”
“Yeah, they said it could take weeks for them to be able to find a combination of potions that react well with my blood,” he said, his shoulders slumping slightly as he spoke. He lowered his voice. “I really don’t like the idea of her having to go through this surgery.”
I winced. “I know,” I said, looking down at the bedsheets. “I don’t like it either. It sounds way too risky.”
“That settles it then,” Rion went on decisively. “We’ll stay here so that you can give birth safely and so that we can wait for a viable cure for Eva.”
I grabbed his hand so I could give it a reassuring squeeze. I felt sorry for him since he wasn’t just worrying about Eva’s condition. He was also worrying about my pregnancy. I could tell that both were putting a lot of stress on him.
“Why don’t we take the children out tomorrow?” I asked suddenly. “Ayla and Selene are really starting to bond with the boys, but they haven’t had a lot of opportunities to explore the city with them.”
Rion’s eyebrows furrowed with hesitation. “I don’t know,” he said slowly. “You really shouldn’t be overexerting yourself, love. Taking four young kids through the city sounds like the perfect combination for overexertion.”
“Rion, I’m really fine,” I told him, trying not to let my frustration burst through my calm. “The doctors let Eva out of the hospital despite her condition. And besides, the children are little angels. Sure, the girls are fussy at tis, but the boys are so mature for their age. We’ll be fine.”
Rion pursed his lips, but I could tell that I had gotten through to him. “Alright,” he said finally. “We’ll take them out tomorrow.”
***
Rion and I knew that we wanted to take the kids into the heart of the city. There was a theater that did live shows that were supposedly great for children their age. Also, Rion pointed out that it would hold their attention and I would be able to sit and rest indoors. It sounded like the perfect plan.
But on our way there, we realized that we didn’t need to entertain the kids at all. They were completely capable of having fun wherever they went.
I babysat all four kids quite a few tis, so I was well aware of their overflowing imaginations. But their creative minds coupled with the sweeping gardens and glittering buildings of Celestial City seed to spark even more epic make-believe gas for the cousins.
The four were particularly enthralled by the central cathedral, which was a massive do-shaped building with stained glass windows that threw rainbows of light over the surrounding lush garden.
Ayla dashed forward, climbing a couple of the steps and gazing up at the large, shiny building, her tiny mouth forming an “o.” She turned around and took off her thin silver-colored sweater and draped it over her head like a hood.
“Ayla,” Rion couldn’t help but chuckle. “What are you doing?”
“I am not Ayla, Daddy,” our daughter said, putting her hands on her hips and facing her cousins and sister. After grabbing a twig off the ground nearby, she held it out like a scepter, waving it around commandingly.
“A sorceress,” Aster gasped, imdiately playing along, and stepping in front of Tarik and Selene protectively.
“A powerful snow queen,” Ayla corrected him. She pointed at Selene with her twig. “And this is my loyal raven companion, a powerful creature who can also do amazing magic.”
Selene giggled and climbed the steps of the cathedral to join her sister.
Ayla took her sister’s hand, and together they stood right in front of the large doors. “This is my magical ice palace,” she declared. She waved the twig in several different patterns. “I seek power, and since the kingdom has made very mad, I shall put a wicked curse over the land.”
Ayla just laughed evilly while the boys watched on in wide-eyed horror at our daughter’s evil plan.
“She clearly takes after you,” I teased Rion, nudging him lightly with my elbow.
Rion shook his head. “See that mischievous little glint in her eyes? That is clearly from her mother.”
I giggled. “But she has your eyes!” I argued.
“Just my eye color,” Rion corrected . “The mischief in them is all from you.”
Aster and Tarik stepped forward, puffing out their chests and standing up straight. Aster turned to his younger brother. “As the kingdom’s brave knights, it is our duty to stop the snow queen so that we can bring peace back to our holand.”
Tarik nodded seriously, with his thin lips pursed. “I agree with you, Brother. We need to stop that evil queen!”
We watched as the boys took off after the girls, who ran away giggling madly.
“Stay within our sights!” Rion called after them sternly.
“Yes, Daddy!” Ayla and Selene chirped obediently before continuing with their ga.
Aster suddenly ran up to us. His little face was serious as he locked eyes with Rion. “Don’t worry, Uncle Rion. I’ll watch over the others and make sure they’re safe.”
Rion smirked and ruffled the boy’s hair. “I’m counting on you,” he said seriously.
Aster nodded before turning to go catch up with his brother and cousins.
“Hm, maybe that is the one who took after you,” I humd thoughtfully as we watched Aster rejoin the others.
“I do see a lot of myself in him,” Rion said with a nod. He then looped an arm around my waist and started to lead to a nearby bench. “Let’s get you sitting down so you can rest, love.”
Rion and I sat cuddled on a bench that sat just between the steps of the cathedral and the lush garden. It was the perfect spot to keep a careful eye on the children.
Aster truly did remind of Rion. He was a natural-born leader and dutifully made sure the others didn’t wander too far. He was a serious little boy, but he couldn’t help but crack a smile and giggle whenever Tarik did anything silly like tickle one of the girls or make a funny sound as they ran.
Tarik was a gentle and sensitive little boy, but he could also be extrely silly at tis. His and Aster’s personalities perfectly complented one another’s.
The four were very entertaining to watch. The story of the evil snow queen progressed to a dramatic turn as Ayla and Aster faced each other to duel in a final battle for the kingdom.
Selene spun around the group, using her imaginary magic to try to spread the icy curse further upon the land. Tarik was chasing her around, doing his best to slow her down.
The seriousness of their little tale was contrasted by the elated giggles that filled the air. I leaned against Rion in contentnt, relishing in their innocence that seed like the ray of hope that we needed during this difficult ti we were facing.
We knew the sun would be setting soon, so Rion and I started to corral the kids, who were reluctant but obedient when we told them we were heading ho for the day.
“Good evening.”
Our little family turned to see an old man. We recognized him imdiately as one of the Elders who had greeted us when we first arrived at Celestial City.
“Good evening, Elder,” Rion said politely, readjusting Selene on his hip.
The Elder smiled warmly at us, his eyes sweeping over the children. “I couldn’t help but observe your children while they played. They truly are special, clearly gifted, and imaginative.”
“Yes, they really are,” I agreed, unable to keep the pride out of my voice.
The Elder turned to face Rion and again. “I would like to formally extend an offer for the children to be enrolled at the Queen’s Academy for the duration of your stay here.”
“The Queen’s Academy?” I repeated in astonishnt.
“Yes,” the Elder said. “They would receive special training during their ti there from the top instructors.”
Rion and I shared a wide-eyed look. We knew the children were special, but this was quite the honor to have them considered to receive any kind of instruction at a prestigious academy.
Rion recovered before I did. “Thank you so much for the generous offer, Elder,” he said graciously. “We will speak with Aster and Tarik’s mother about it and get back to you.”
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