Page 54 of Princess

A daughter.I hadn’t even cared.I leaned down and kissed her blood-smeared head before looking up at King.

“I knew it was a girl,” he said with cocky assuredness.“A beautiful, perfect baby girl.”He leaned down and kissed my forehead.“I love you.I love you both.”

I couldn’t stop the tears.I’d been so worried, even before the shit that went down at the shipyard.I’d stayed busy so I didn’t have time to think about the what-ifs.They encroached every time I had a quiet moment.And now she was here.Our miracle.

I glanced around the room.Axel had left us alone.That reassured me more than anything that our baby was okay.

“I don’t want to let her go,” I said, looking at her tiny body.

She began crying again and I brought her to my chest.Her little mouth turned to my warmth with the cutest of lip movements.I adjusted her to my breast.She struggled a bit, and I remembered what Missy had told me.With a little help, she began sucking.Nothing had ever felt so right in the world.

“You’re beautiful,” King whispered.

Five minutes later, Maylin stuck her head into the room.“Axel wanted me to assist getting the baby cleaned and you too, Marinah.I also wish to meet your daughter.”

I smiled at her as she walked closer.She looked better, but I could tell she was putting on a show for us.She had insisted on working even though Axel argued that she should rest for a day or two.The island was full of stubborn women.

“The announcement hasn’t been made.That is for the father.I will make sure both mother and baby are clean and comfortable.”

King leaned down and kissed my lips.“They can wait,” he said.

“It’s okay,” I told him.“Inform the guard and give us about thirty minutes.I love you.”

He leaned lower and kissed the baby’s head.He stood and looked at me.“Our princess is perfect.”

“Yes, she is.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

King

Eagle, Alden, and Rodrigo waited outside the med bay.They stood against the hallway walls.I couldn’t stop my smile even if I wanted to.

“The princess of the Shadow Warriors has arrived,” I said after taking two steps from the room.

A cheer went up.Eagle hugged me.Rodrigo shook my hand and said congratulations in Spanish.Alden slammed his palms into my back.

“The islanders are waiting for news,” Rodrigo said.“May I tell them?”

“Yes.”

He began walking away, then stopped and turned.“You know she will be spoiled?”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped.“Mostly by her father.”

“How is Marinah?”Alden asked.

“She’s fine now.Her Nova made an appearance, giving us a few tense minutes, but the rest went smoothly.The shrapnel caused no harm to the baby.”

Eagle’s expression changed.“When are we putting an end to this?”

I knew exactly what he was asking.“As soon as Marinah is healed we will move forward.It’s past time to fight for peace.”

Our families had to be safe.With the Federation in control, it would never happen.I also suspected if they weren’t already pushing around the rest of the surviving world, it would happen soon.

Marinah and the baby were moved into our room a few hours later.They were both sleeping now.We hadn’t named the baby, but we would discuss it again after Marinah rested.

There was a soft knock on the door.I opened it and saw Beck.I quietly entered the hall and closed the door behind me.

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