Page 62 of Princess

Endura followed my gaze.“We no longer teach the children to shield their essence.He is feeling it.”

I turned away from Caleb and returned the stares of the women.Some of them peered quickly at Caleb before turning back to me.They didn’t exactly have anger in their expressions, but it was definitely not joy.

Endura spread her arms wide.“We are welcome here.Marinah has given birth, and Nikayla is among us.”

It was the baby who drew their attention.I looked down at Nikayla.Her large blue eyes were open.I smiled at her because there was no other choice.I turned her and lifted her in my arms because it felt like the right thing to do.Endura’s smile encouraged me.

“They will not harm her.They wish to add their blessing to mine and Amissa’s.”

Ms.Beast purred.This felt right.It was as if something had been missing.I hadn’t known it was missing, but pieces simply clicked into place.

Tears slowly ran down my cheeks and energy swelled around us.It was the opposite of K-5, which carried rage, but at the same time, more powerful.The Shadow Warriors lost so much when the women left them.

I lowered Nikayla and walked forward.When I reached the women, gentle hands reached out and touched my arms.They also touched Nikayla’s head.My newborn child stared.Her wide eyes held knowledge, which was impossible.

“She’s beautiful,” one woman said.

“May I see her, mommy?”a little girl asked.

I took a knee and showed the little girl my child.More of the children stepped forward.Their hands going to Nikayla’s head, their eyes showing wonder.

“She has blue eyes like us,” another child said.

The essence these children carried was stronger than the adult women.Or maybe it was simply less controlled.I had so much to learn.Somehow I had to convince the women to stay and balance the Warrior aggression.Being around them was like meditation on steroids.

When I discovered I was a Shadow Warrior, pieces of my life made sense, and I finally felt that I had come home.The key element I hadn’t known I was missing were other women.Shadow Women.

I looked behind me and saw a similar expression on Caleb’s face.He looked shell-shocked, just as Cosway had.

A little girl, maybe three or four years old, touched my leg.I peered down at her and smiled.She wore a knee-length blue dress with small, colorful flowers.Her slightly chubby cheeks had dimples.

“I brought this for Nikayla.I don’t think she’s able to hold her yet.Will you give her the doll?”

The doll’s dress was made of the same cotton that the little girl wore, and the styles were identical.

“What is your name?”I asked.

“Sweeting,” she said and lifted the doll to me.

I took it.“She is beautiful, and Nikayla will love her.”

Sweeting wrapped her arms around my legs and hugged me.She then turned and ran to a woman who I assumed was her mother.She smiled at me.

Amissa placed her arms out, and I handed the baby to her.She walked forward and was surrounded by the women and children.She lifted Nikayla in her arms.

“Nikayla is ours to protect.”She turned to me.“No harm will come to your child.”

I was no longer worried about them when it came to Nikayla.It felt like it was meant to be.Crazy, maybe, but our world was already insane.My thoughts went to the Shadow Warrior he-men who were not ready for this punch to the gut.Caleb continued to look shaken.I would leave my child in capable hands when I went to fight the Federation.

And I was ready for the fight.Ready to end the war and return to peace.

Chapter Thirty

Marinah

When I finally returned to my room, I was exhausted.Mikayla began to fuss.She decided fussing wasn’t getting her anywhere and screams might work faster while I changed her diaper.

I’d arranged transportation to the citadel for the women and children.We were now at full capacity.There were buildings surrounding us that held human families.Some unmarried Shadow Warriors turned several buildings into dorm-like living quarters.If the outposts sent more children, we would have trouble fitting them here.

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