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.I wasexhausted but too wound up to sleep.I wanted to curl upnext to Rin and hold him close, but I also needed to keep aneye on our children, make sure they were safe and unhurt.Surprisingly enough, all of them had hair, bothmiddle-scar born males carrying Rin's silver eyes and myhair color but only one of them having the scars matchingthose on Rin.Our other son had my hair and a version ofmy markings but what I had seen of his eyes they wereRin's silver, while the girl had my eyes and my hair colorbut lacked the classic Jede markings.They were anextraordinary mix of impossibilities and would certainlychange the lines in books where it said that male mixescouldn't bear children.They were our future, as they carriedthe characteristics of both royal lines and would eventuallyrule our kingdom.Once I felt ready enough to leave them for a minute,I covered Rin with a clean sheet, tucking it around him, andwalked outside only to find the whole camp waitingexpectantly, staring at me.It made me smile despite theexhaustion and it was as if all of them breathed a sigh ofrelief."Our kingdom can proudly say that they have three121Owner Of My Heart Valentina Heartmale and one female ruler," I said loudly, letting my voicecarry.I was met with a collective gasp.It was unheard offor a male to bring to life four little ones and live to tellabout it.My Rin had managed to do the impossible, and allthose who hadn't known how difficult it had all been nowhad an idea."Congratulations, my King." Starting with Dali, therest of the closest Jede and Kari said their good wishes andexpressed their joy for Rin and me.But I had gone outsidewith a mission and I was already feeling the itch of beingseparated from Rin and the little ones."Dali, please go inside and take away the dirtycloths and the water.Thank you." He rushed inside withoutquestion but once the healers started to follow I stoppedthem in their tracks."They are all fine and healthy.I don'twant anyone around either my children or my spouse for awhile yet."It was not something they'd expected but theycomplied without uttering a word.Once Dali was out, I repeated my words to him andretreated inside to be with my family.They were as peaceful as when I had left them andthis time I did crawl amongst the pillows next to Rin,gently pulling his body closer and hugging him to me.Ikept a clear view over his head toward my children and122Owner Of My Heart Valentina Heartthrew a light wind spell over the door to alert me if anyonetried to enter.Only once I felt safe and worry-free enoughto rest did I close my eyes and slept a dreamless sleep.123Owner Of My Heart Valentina HeartEPILOGUEAs soon as Rin stirred I opened my eyes and Ileaned away to look at him better.He was sweaty anddisoriented but once he saw my smile he returned it withhis own."Take a look," I told him, pointing my chin in thedirection of our sleeping children.He did and once he saw them he instantly movedout of my arms and leaned over the little ones."Sobeautiful," he whispered, turning to look at me for a secondbefore turning back and holding his palm in front of theirlittle mouths, checking to see if they were breathing.Hehad no more energy to do magic, and the pain of loss wasstill more than vivid in our minds.I understood his need tomake sure.Apparently deciding not to wake them up, he leanedback against me, keeping his gaze on their sleeping forms,and whispered, "They will keep us up for nights at a time.""If they are anything like me there is no doubt aboutit." I smiled, rubbing his naked arms and tracing hiscollarbones with my thumbs."What will happen now? We are still at war," hesaid and I could hear fear in his voice."You will stay with me until the children are old124Owner Of My Heart Valentina Heartenough to travel.I don't think I could part with them even ifthat weren't the case.We will post more guards around thetent and only Dali and the healers will be allowed inside." Ipaused for a moment, thinking."I don't know how I willsurvive their childhood.I'll keep worrying something mighthappen to them."Rin pulled my arm and wrapped it around his chest."We will keep them safe.Give them a better life than I hadbefore I met you."I leaned down and kissed his forehead."I canguarantee that."He chuckled at me."You will learn that being Kingis not the toughest duty out there, being a parent is.""Why do you keep saying 'you'? It will be both ofus raising them," I asked, confused and a little annoyed."Because I don't have any qualms about using themagainst you." He laughed and I would have tickled him ifhe wasn't still tender and sore.Instead I said, "You know that once I left the tent tocall Dali to help me, the whole camp was standing outsidewaiting to hear about your welfare.They heard your everyscream, my love, they heard just how strong you were andthey saw how proud that made me." I could see his earsturning red so I continued."And once you fell asleep, I ledthem inside and showed them just what it took to bring four125Owner Of My Heart Valentina Heartheirs into the world."Then Rin twisted around, outraged and blushing."Your whole race is barbaric! Showing a vulnerable andnaked male to his soldiers! Your councilors want to watchprivate acts and you invent clothes not even helpers knowhow to wrap! Barbaric!" he all but screamed, only ourchildren keeping his tone in check.I couldn't contain my laughter, I tried to tone itdown but it was just too much [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]