Seducing Destiny(53)

                “Yes,” he said without hesitation.

                “And would you kill Faolán to protect me and my children?”

                “Yes,” he repeated.

                “Good,” I said. “As is my right, I choose you for guardian of my children,” I said and smiled.

                “My Princess,” he whispered. “I’m honored.”

                “Oh I wouldn’t be honored yet,” I said as I wrinkled my nose.

                “It’s an honor to protect your children,” he said. “I’ll not let either of them out of my sight.”

                “Three of them,” I said with a huge smile as the entire assembly started talking excitedly at once.





                                      Chapter Fifteen

                I was seated with Ryder at my side as the babies were brought down the aisle, each wrapped in silk blankets of the same black as the men who carried them wore. It was almost comical for the Elite Guard to be carrying something so tiny and yet so precious to their hearts.

                Ristan carried my daughter. Sinjinn carried the dark haired boy, and Dristan carried the blonde haired boy. The entire assembly watched in awe as the first set of triplets in Fae history were brought out and presented to us. I’d been warned about what was coming, and it was tradition, but my heart still leapt to my throat.

                In true Fae tradition, the children would be presented to the father, and if he so chose, he’d accept them. This was why Tatiana had hidden her daughter, because the child wasn’t Dresden’s. She’d known he would throw the child out to the elements. I knew her fear, but I also knew Ryder would never reject our precious children. Tatiana didn’t have that reassurance.

                I watched as my hulking beast kissed the top of his daughters platinum curls, and then her cheek, which he followed by doing the same to her brothers. When he’d accepted them, he took his seat and one by one, they were handed to us.

                I wasn’t sure how Ryder had brought this many Fae here on such short notice, nor did I know if he told them they were coming for an heir’s death, explaining a shift in power, or administering punishment of traitors to the presentation of newborns and potential heirs. The man was good at this; whatever he told them, and the way he’d reached for our daughter when Ristan had tried to move towards me had sent warmth through me that filled my heart.

                She’d already tamed the wild beast with only looking into his golden eyes with a matching pair. I held the boys, who had done the same to me, and I watched with wonder as they lifted their hands to touch the multi-colored brands that pulsed on my arms.

                They were alert and active, unlike their sister who was content to just wrinkle her brow line as she watched her father’s every move. I listened as Ristan called off the news of the triplets, and the assembly stood as they moved to form a reception line.

                Apprehension filled me as they moved toward us. I wasn’t ready for them to be close to my children, and my power emitted from my entire body as I grew worried. It didn’t go unnoticed by those closest to us, but it was Ryder who calmed me.

                “You have my best soldiers surrounding us, ready to kill to protect them. You have your own guard; now calm down. If I can feel your discomfort and powers, so too can everyone else in this room.” His mental voice rumbled reassuringly across my mind.

                I turned to look at him and smiled softly, replying the same way. “Easier said than done; I have no idea how to stop it,” I warned. I felt Danu’s presence, and then her hand as she touched my shoulder.