Page 22 of Princess

He grinned, amusement dancing in his eyes.“No.I only told her they were afraid and hesitant to accept our help.Her back went up all on its own when they asked about you.”

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head.“We should use her diplomatic relations abilities more often.She’s got a better natural instinct for it than most.”

My attention shifted back to King.“Do you think Landan will agree to trade with them after he gets your message?”

King exhaled, leaning back slightly.“Landan is stubborn, but he’s not stupid.He knows they’re stronger together, and their resources complement each other.I’m more worried about the mayors.Landan has three outposts who call him governor.These outposts won’t want him stepping on their toes.”

“Agreed.”I nodded.“Thankfully, Landan can handle that himself without us getting involved.”I straightened, changing course.“I spoke with Missy before she left.”I turned to Beck.“Don’t blame me about her flying while pregnant.That woman could win an argument with an angry bear.”I continued when Beck didn’t respond.“She’ll help me assign homes.”I turned my attention to Alden.“We’ll send a group south to look for families who are willing to help.Those families will need Warrior escorts.You’ll be in charge of coordinating it.”

I shifted to Axel.“Garret was the perfect choice to send on the plane.Once we have his input, we’ll have an easier time matching the children with the right families.”

Axel’s lips twitched in amusement.“It wasn’t my choice,” he admitted.“Like Missy, Garret insisted.I grumbled about it, but he wants our names on the list.We’re willing to take in a child or two.”

My guard was formed to iron out politics and strategy.But it was also about people and giving them better lives.Family was special to Warriors.Garret and Axel would be great parents.

“Do you have a preference?Gender, age?”I clarified.

Axel exhaled, considering.“I need Garret in the hospital and traveling to clinics.He’s a huge help.With Maylin’s new baby,” he cut his eyes toward Nokita, “I’m shorthanded even though Maylin is as stubborn as Missy and working part-time at the southern clinic while she’s there.”Nokita shrugged, and Axel’s gaze returned to me.“A baby would make things harder for me and Garret.We don’t care if the child is a boy or girl.Above toddler age would be easiest for us.If that’s not possible, we’ll take an infant and adjust our schedules.”

If I’d spoken to Carmen, I would have a better idea of the children’s ages.But for now, all I could do was prepare for the unknown.

“We’ll know more when they arrive, but please consider you and Garret at the top of the list.”I shifted the conversation.“I need to bring something else up.Ruth—”

The second her name left my lips, the entire room tensed.Faces paled, even my mate’s.

I sighed but continued.“Ruth and Togg are starting a training academy for any juvenile, seven and older, provided they have parental permission, who wants to learn to protect themselves.”

Beck arched a brow; his voice laced with dry amusement.“Is that wise?”

“It keeps her from getting bored,” I countered.“And it gives us leverage.She wants this badly, and if she pulls another one of her harebrained stunts, she’ll be removed from the program and someone else assigned with Togg.It was her idea, and I agreed.The kids who join will feel safer if they know something about self-protection.”

“Did you run this past Missy?”

“Not yet, but I doubt Ruth kept it from her.”

Beck’s lips twitched.“Missy will back anything that gives her more control over Ruth.Beating her isn’t an option; otherwise, the child would be black and blue.”He paused.“I don’t speak for my mate, though.Run it past her when you get the chance.Every day she was around Lesley Barnes, she was thinking of ways to kill her without you figuring out who did it.”His voice was lighter, but the truth behind it wasn’t lost on me.“We appreciate you taking her off viper detail.Missy thinks highly of you right now.”

“It was unfair to her, and for that, I apologize.”I met his gaze.“But it did come in handy for Shadow Warrior punishments.”

That got a reaction.The tension in the room cracked as smiles broke out.

When King was in charge, he had knocked heads when needed, but that wasn’t how I handled things.The men much preferred head-knocking.Guard duty for Lesley Barnes was an undesired punishment.

“We’ll reconvene tomorrow after we know more about the children,” I said.“Tonight, I’m feeling antsy, so I plan to go after hellhounds around midnight.”I glanced at King, already anticipating his reaction.Before he spoke, I held up a hand.“I know I’m pregnant.But sitting out the discussion with Carmen and the other mayors put me on edge.”My gaze swept the room.“If anyone wants to join me, you’re invited.”

“I’m in,” Alden said immediately, earning a sharp glare from King.

“Too busy,” Axel replied, shaking his head.

“I’m heading south to Maylin,” Nokita added.

Beck smirked and shot a wink at King.“Missy would kill me.”

King folded his arms.“You will not be going without me.”

I gave him a knowing look.“I didn’t intend to.”

With that, our meeting adjourned.

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