“We can do that, and will support your husband. I do hope he has made you his Queen for supplying him heirs,” Lasair said as he stood to his full height.
“He asked; I said no,” I spit out as I continued on, but when Lasair guffawed with laughter at Ryder’s expense, I held my breath as I watched his eyes slip from gold to black. “I should explain that better,” I said out loud. “He was there when I died, and it was a shock. I died less than a day ago and it was just too soon. I want him forever, and he knows it. I also want him to ask me when the time is right. I know it sounds selfish, but when he does ask me, I want it to be him and not the grief asking me.”
“Smart girl,” Liam said with a mischievous smile on his lips. “Make him work for it,” he finished with a roguish wink.
“Madisyn, I have something to ask of you,” I said as someone knocked on the door.
“Yes?” she asked and I could see she was internally struggling with what I’d just told her.
“Danu is my mother, but she can’t interfere or help me to physically protect my children. I am a part of her, but you, you’re my mother. Or at least I hope you still consider me as your daughter. You’ve held me in your heart and even though I’m not of your blood, I was hoping you’d still be my mother.”
“Oh. Of course,” she wiped at her eyes and hugged me again, and I smiled at her effort to hide the emotion.
“My children need a grandmother who can interfere and be there when they need them. One who can show them love and help us to direct them on the right path. I have no idea what it means to raise a child, and I have three of them now.”
“Three?” she asked, pulling back to look at me.
“Two boys and a girl,” I smiled at her bewildered look.
“That’s unheard of!” She gasped and then smiled. “Lasair, we have three more grandchildren!”
Lasair didn’t share in the joy. I could see him calculating the chances of all three being accepted by the land.
“That’s another thing,” I said as I read his mind accidentally. “We have to unite the Fae to help us take our babies to the Tree, and Danu will need to draw on all of your powers to bless them and, if they survive, they should begin the healing process for other babies in this world, and also help to heal the damage the Mages and Faolán have done.”
“You have my oath as your father and as the Blood King that we will do whatever is needed to save our grandchildren, and that Faolán is forever banned from my Kingdom.”
“There’s one more thing I need to ask you about,” I said softly.
“Yes?” Lasair asked.
“Cailean, why does he still protect me?” I asked wanting to know exactly what part this man had played in my life.
“Cailean was part of Faolán’s guard before he brought you to us; however he has not been seen since you left the Blood Kingdom so he was not able to be reassigned. If he has been protecting you, you will have to ask him. What I can tell you is that he is devoted to you; that much was apparent when he brought you back to us, and he is the type of man who’d willingly lay down his life to protect those he chooses to guard.”
“He almost did; he was there fighting for me when Faolán and the Mages tried cutting me open to take my babies. I want him; I want him to protect my children as fiercely as he fought for me. He should be rewarded for what he has done and I’d like your permission to give it to him.”