Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“I don’t think so. Before he left, he advised me not to do too much damage on Earth and reminding me that the females there were an important part to Hallalah’s story.” He juts his chin towards his family. “I’m guessing the chance that baby looks very female has something to do with that. And the fact that a human and Hallan had a child at all.”
I steer very clear of the conversation, not wanting to say any more on that subject, nor is it the time for what doing so will take us down. Instead, I just link my hand with Halun’s as the ship finally lands. The bay door opens, and a thunderous cheer rises from the crowd before us.
“Prince.”
“Welcome home.”
His father steps forward, his arms coming to Halun’s shoulder as their foreheads touch. I look at Selina as they embrace, and she gives me a smile and wave before coming over to me.
“They don’t exactly hug here, but I do,” she says before wrapping one arm around me, holding the baby in the other. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“From Halun’s messages?” I puzzle.
She shakes her head. “From Jozay and Vabila.”
Halun and his father separate, and his father smiles wide at me.
“Father, Bothaki, Selina, I present my mate, Luna.”
“I am Nowas,” his father says before he brings the back of my hand to his forehead, right below the very same crescent Halun has.
“I am honored to meet the one who holds my son’s heart.”
Bothaki steps forward and introduces himself before doing the same as his father, murmuring the same words, except for brother.
“Where are mother and Vabila?” Halun asks.
I don’t miss, and I’m sure neither does Halun, the look shared between Nowas and Bothaki.
“Don’t you want to meet your niece?” Bothaki asks him.
Distracts him, is more like.
But Halun quickly gives in to the distraction, smiling down at the baby just now opening her blue and green eyes.
“This is Fate,” Selina says softly.
“May I?” Halun asks, extending his hands.
I’ve never heard him use such a low, quiet voice with anyone but me. I find I … like it. Seeing him this tender as Selina places the baby in his arms. Fate squirms a little, but Halun is quick to bounce her, as if he has much more experience in handling babies than I would have guessed.
“Oh, we don’t need to do any of that little one,” he cooes.
“You just let us know the moment you want to babysit.” Selina chuckles. “I’ll have the wet nurse ready to go as soon as you say the words.”
“I’ll take you up on that,” Halun says, not even bothering to look up from Fate.
It’s how calmly he says it, coupled with how quick he is to volunteer to keep a baby, that has my eyes widening even more. Selina and Bothaki must notice my shock because they begin snickering.
“I’m as surprised as you,” Bothaki tells me.
“Come, we have a feast ready at the palace,” Nowas states, gesturing us towards some type of black, four-legged creatures that wagons are hitched to. I assume they must be safe, as I don’t think Halun would risk me riding it otherwise. Another thing that’s come along with this truce of ours, me realizing, as if he hadn’t always made it quite clear, how much Halun cares about me.
Halun, very reluctantly, hands Fate back to Selina, and then we’re walking through the crowd of Hallans. They greet their prince and some even reach out for my hand. They are most excited to see Fate, though, saying how beautiful she is and calling her princess.
The ride to the palace is no less amazing, even more so with the scents of the flowers in my nose this time. With the breeze on my skin. With Halun’s arm wrapped around my waist, holding me tight to him. When we arrive, I crane my neck so far back it hurts to look at this grand home in front of me.
“I can’t even imagine being a kid running around in a place this big,” I say.
“We have a game here where you hide and your siblings, or other kids, have to find you.”
“Hide and Seek?” I chuckle as we get out of the wagon. “That’s what humans call it.”
He tilts his head, thinking for a second. “Yes, that name about sums it up. Well, the palace was where you could hide and, if you were as good as I was, never be found.”
Bothaki whistles while coming alongside us. “Lying to your mate, Halun? We all know who the best was. And it was not you.”
Halun scoffs. “This one used to hide in the kitchen cupboards almost every time. Until he got too big for them. Then, it was some closet.”
“As I recall,” Nowas says, “it was actually Vabila who was best.”
Neither Halun nor Bothaki disputes him.