Eighteen

Odas

I ’m sitting beside Cato, watching as he fusses over the egg. It’s so small still, but once we return to his cave, it’ll really start to grow.

I’m the last of my kind, that I know of, but that never really bothered me the same way it does Cato. He’s my best friend, and I can’t even describe how it feels to know he’s not going to be the last of his kind.

Hell, maybe the Queen lied, and there are more of us both out there somewhere in the world.

Cato stays close to the fire, even though his body temperature alone will keep the egg safe.

As I look around and watch all of Moon’s other mates, something deep in my soul settles. Cato and I spent so much of our lives scared, wondering what the next day would bring.

Our child will never know that feeling. They will never wonder if they'll be fed that night, or if they’ll be beaten. They won’t wonder if they’ll die in a cell… They’ll be loved, and surrounded by men who would die to keep them safe.

I know I will.

“I need you to come with me,” I say to Cato, who looks up at me.

“Okay?” he asks, and I smile.

“You’ll see.”

We find Moonlight sitting in the grass, leaning back on her hands and staring up at the stars.

“Can I sit here?” I ask, pointing beside her. Moon nods, looking at me.

“Of course.” Moon pats the grass and sits up. Cato sits on my other side, remaining quiet. “You okay?” Moon asks, as she rests her hand on my arm.

“I am. I just wanted to give you something.” I take a deep breath. “My vow.” I pull out my knife and slice open my palm. Cato raises the egg in front of me, and I rest my bloodied hand on it. “To protect and love this child fiercely for as long as I live. With my blood. They will never be alone in this world.”

“Odas!” Moon cries, moving to her knees. She watches me with tears in her eyes.

“My blood will help protect them. They’ll be safe, as long as I live, and if they are ever in danger they can use this connection to call to me. I will always be there,” I tell her, as I release the egg, and pull my mate into my lap. She straddles my hips and cups my face between her palms.

“Oh, Theodas, you didn’t have to…”

“I know. But there’s no one, in this lifetime or the next, I would rather do this for. Our child. I love you with all my heart and soul, Moonlight. I always will.”

“I love you too. I love you so much!” Moon kisses me, and every cell in my body is focused on her. She’s the center of my soul.

The center of our world.

Silas

Moonlight senses me as I approach her. I don’t mind that she always knows when I’m near. Cato and Odas can also sense me, but neither of them reacts physically.

“I have something for the baby,” I say, as I step in front of them. Cato looks up right away, as I hold the nest out to him.

I used different things to make it. A shirt belonging to Moon that I tore up, pebbles, and leaves. Things that will support the egg as it grows.

“Oh, Silas!” Moon's eyes light up as she looks at it.

“There's also a bit of my magic infused into the pebbles. No one will be able to get near it without feeling extreme fear. Well, no one except us, of course,” I explain, as I sit beside Moon on the other side.

“That's very thoughtful.” Moon smiles softly, leaning her body into me, and sighing.

“I also have this.” I hold up the arm cuff. It's shaped like a snake. “I used my magic to make the translucent shell. My blood is visible inside the center.”

“Oh, I love it!” Moon slides it up her arm until it settles over her mid-bicep.

“I'm glad. My scent and magic will work to protect you whenever I'm not near you,” I explain. The need to keep her safe runs deep. “I love you, Moon. More than anything.”

“I love you too, Silas.”

Daire

I’m nervous about giving Moon her gift. It’s not as extravagant as a crown, or as personal as Odas’s oath. But, it’s all I have.

She finds me, maybe sensing that I’m nervous. I smile when she slides into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Hi, mate,” Moon says, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

“Hi, Moonlight.” I can't resist wrapping my arms around her, holding her tightly to me.

“You look like you’re worried about something. Are you okay?” Moon asks, snuggling into me.

“I’m nervous,” I admit. “I have something for you.” Taking a breath, I pull it from my pocket. The locket hangs from a gold chain, and I pop it open, revealing the pictures inside. One is of her and I, and the other is of her egg. “When the baby is here, you can swap the images.” Moon takes the locket from me and inspects the images. While she looks at them, I press my lips to her temple, kissing her.

She smells so good. I want a taste of her blood. I always do.

“This is perfect, Daire. Why were you nervous to give this to me?”

“I don’t know. I thought maybe it wasn’t enough. It’s not your name over my heart…” I sigh.

“No, it’s not. But that wouldn’t be like you. This is. I love it. Help me put it on.”

I help her put it on while she lifts her hair. Once it settles around her neck, she rests her hand over it and leans back into me.

“How did you get this picture?” she asks, and I chuckle.

“Magic.”

“Ah, that explains it, because I don’t remember taking one.”

“I have my ways,” I say, before pressing another kiss to her head. “I want you to know that I love you with all that I am, Moonlight.”

“I love you too, Daire.”

Fen

Everyone has given Moon their gifts, and when she climbs off Daire’s lap, I know I’m the last one left.

My nerves get the best of me, and I make my way over to her quickly. I scoop her up into my arms, and hug her, spinning her around. I can’t help myself. She makes me so happy.

“I love you. I adore you. I worship you!” I tell her, before kissing her neck. “I wasn’t sure what to give you. I don’t have much. I never have. Before you, I couldn’t even touch anyone. If I had never met you, I probably never would have learned the truth.”

Moon giggles, and I place her back on her feet. “I love you too! And you know I don’t need anything.”

“I do know that. And I’ll be honest, Moon, I don’t have anything physical. But I do have this. My first kiss, and my last. My first love, and my only love. You will be the only woman in my heart, from now until the end of time. My gift is the promise that I will worship your body, mind, and soul until the day I die, Moonlight. I love you. I always will,” I vow, kissing her forehead.

“I love you, Fen!”