Page 98 of His Impossible Elf Mate
We kissed as they made more noise for us until Mother cleared her throat.
“My last act for today is to announce the birth of Princess Rieka, Heir of Abrocaelum, to all gathered here today. Rieka is a powerful name for our new princess. It means the power of the wolf, fitting as she is a wolf shifter.”
Many of the elves gathered would not have known this, as we had asked Rieka not to shift yet. She was much too comfortable with her uncle to let her pup out.
“My granddaughter is healthy and strong thanks to the will of the goddess. We would like to thank you for your generous gifts and well wishes. Please, come celebrate with us!”
Fireworks blasted into the sky, startling our daughter awake and into wolf form. The elves gasped and cooed over her.
Parliament may not have been happy about a wolf prince consort and now a wolf princess, but our people were the heart of Abrocaelum, and they were ready to accept the fresh start Rieka represented.
Epilogue
Teárlach
Returning to Sweetwater was almost a relief after all the attention we received in Abrocaelum. Our wedding, and Rieka’s naming day, were perfect because they were brief affairs. The reception was a different matter altogether. It seemed to stretch on forever as we accepted gifts for our daughter and well wishes for our union.
Rieka at least got to nap. Poppy ended up sneaking us new parents, and of course Kade, Blake, Jasper and Dakota, some energy boosting potions to help us through the long day.
The children all appeared to enjoy being the center of attention. Their parents, for the most part, could enjoy themselves, safe in the knowledge the children were well looked after. We got to eat the spectacular food, including a stunning eight tier cake, and dance to a mixture of human and elven music.
Our daughter was too new to be passed around to all the dignitaries, courtiers, gentry, and distant relatives who crawled out of wherever they had been hiding.We kept her close to us, only allowing Axel’s brothers to hold her, or Aldrin and James, when the brothers had their hands full with the lively triplets.
Jasper and Dakota had their son and daughter to watch, an arduous task with how friendly Angelica was. My people doted on all the children, though I noticed a few had taken a particular shine to Kade’s sister.
Her parents had finally revealed Angelica would be an alpha when she was ready to make that transition. They wanted her to wait, to see how many other alpha females would be born or choose to change in the interim. As wise parents, they knew the battles which lay ahead. Though some attitudes were changing, we were not out of danger quite yet.
This was something we were painfully aware of as we traded off baby duties throughout the day. I found quiet corners so Axel could nurse and not feel like a display at the zoo. It was lovely to have the moment of peace in what was otherwise a hectic day with our little star.
My only wish for Rieka was for her to grow as fierce as her cousin Elliotte. That little girl knew her power already and exerted it positively. She was a born leader. I saw more than one guard soften their stance after a smile from her. She was already winning hearts.
We partied into the night, stealing kisses in between dances and bites of food. Saying goodnight took so long with many words of thanks to give.Long enough, I feared Mother might ask us to stay the night and carry the party into the morning. Managing the security of so many of us would have been a nightmare.
Instead, we ended the party with both of us, my mother and I, flying in the sky together as those who could shift did. The shifters ran around the castle with elves chasing them playfully while we watched them from above. The cries of joy, the laughter, and smiles were a tonic, healing the hurt of our infertile years.
Children would return to Abrocaelum.
Before we left the castle, there was another surprise for us.
Ívarr and Michaella announced their engagement and wish to marry before their own little one was born. Ívarr, though he had already asked, again requested my mother’s official blessing.
My face had hurt from how wide my smile had been. I could not have been happier for my friends.
Michaella was in the very early stages of the pregnancy, but expected to carry to full term. She was in perfect health. Her magic, along with Ívarr’s, would be strong enough to sustain the pregnancy. Even if she did not, as unfortunate as that would be, she still was able to become pregnant. It was a step forward. A miracle after so long. I firmly believed the goddess was with them and would bless their marriage with a healthy baby.
It was a relief to finally get home and into our bed. I knew we were both beyond exhausted. Rieka slept in her special crib, close to Axel, so he could feed her if needed. I would let him feed her, then see to the rest. He deserved the sleep.
In my life as a soldier, as a prince, I had seen many things, but nothing came close to touching my heart until I met him.
Axel was everything I could have wanted in a partner. He was protective of those he loved, fair, and kind. He held a nurturing soul which had been guarded until he could live as his true self. Axel was beautiful to me, inside and out.
I felt honored to be his mate.
Axel
“The pack deserves a party, too,” Kade insisted. “Don’t deny them a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come!”
Ugh, I knew I was going to give in. He had a point. We were walking along the path from our houses towards the mansion, letting Rieka get some fresh air with our guards in tow. I would visit with Dalton, let him have his baby cuddles, and convince Winter to make me something tasty to eat. T was off doing a wing guardshift and I found cooking with Rieka in her baby sling awkward.
