A Grim Baby Read online

  “Her iron levels are a little low, but that’s normal after giving birth and her uterus hasn’t contracted back to its normal size yet. Still, it’s a great deal smaller than I would have expected.” She looked to Hadar. “Is that because you’ve already used the portable repair unit on her?”

  “Yes,” he told her. “There is also no evidence of the Karkata parasite ever being present.”

  “Thank the Goddess,” Rebecca whispered.

  “That will greatly relieve the king,” Hadar agreed.

  “The only other thing the unit recommends is adjusting some of the queen’s hormone levels.”

  “Changing those may affect her ability to breastfeed,” Amanda said.

  “It could?” Hadar asked.

  “Yes. Especially if you decrease the prolactin levels. I recommend we leave her hormones alone.”

  “I agree,” Rebecca said. “This isn’t Lisa’s first presentation. She’ll let us know if she’s experiencing anything unusual in that area.”

  “Then you remove those items from the screen.” Hadar demonstrated it on the first item by holding his finger on it and then dragging it down to a black square icon in the lower corner of the screen. “Now, you do the remaining ones.”

  Amanda did until there were only two things left on the screen. The adjustment of Lisa’s iron level and the treatment for her abdominal area to return to her pre-pregnancy condition.

  “The women on Earth will lose their minds when they realize the repair units can do this,” Amanda commented.

  “The deep repair units can’t cause insanity,” Hadar snapped at Amanda, enraged that she thought he would do something like that to his queen.

  “Whoa, Hadar.” Rebecca quickly stepped between him and a shocked Amanda. “That’s not what Amanda meant. She wasn’t accusing you of anything. It’s Earth slang.”

  “What did she mean then?” he demanded.

  “That the females of Earth will be demanding to use the deep repair unit as soon as they present their offspring. It normally takes weeks, if not moon cycles, for a female body to return to its former shape after presenting offspring. Some never do.”

  Hadar’s gaze traveled from Rebecca to Amanda. “This is truth?”

  “It is, and I apologize for the confusion. I’ll try to speak more clearly in the future.”

  “The offense is mine, Healer Amanda. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. My only excuse is I take the well-being of my queen very seriously.”

  “As you should. Maybe we should agree we were both at fault and leave it at that.”

  “That I can do.”

  “Great. I’m glad you two have made up. Now can we get on with treating Lisa? Adora is starting to wake up, and she’ll be hungry.”

  “Of course.” Hadar gestured to the screen. “If you would do the honors, Healer Amanda. You need to touch the procedure you want to be done first, then drag it up to the green box. Then move on to the next.”

  “Thank you, Healer Hadar.” She began doing as he directed.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Lisa’s eyes shot open. She could hear Adora fussing. A hand pressed down on her shoulder when she would have sat up.

  “Move slowly, my Queen,” Hadar advised. “Let the dome finish retracting.”

  “Adora…”

  “Is fine,” Rebecca reassured her. “She’s just getting hungry.”

  “How long was I under?” Lisa swung her legs over the edge of the unit and took a deep breath.

  “Not long,” Amanda told her. “Maybe twenty minutes.”

  “And the results?” she asked, extending her arms so Rebecca could put her fussing daughter in them. Adora immediately calmed.

  Amanda looked to Hadar, who nodded for her to give the results. “Your iron level was a little low.”

  “I had that before with both Carly and Miki.”

  “The unit adjusted that. It also treated your abdominal area, restoring it to your natural state.”

  “Natural state?” Lisa frowned at that.

  “Your pre-pregnancy state.” Amanda glanced at Hadar and spoke carefully, unsure how much the queen wanted the male to know. “You’ll be able to participate in all the activities you did before without fear of injury.”

  Hadar frowned but didn’t comment. “The unit found no evidence of the Karkata parasite.”

  “Thank the Goddess,” Lisa whispered.

  “Yes, Majesty.”

  Adora decided she’d been patient enough and gave a sharp cry. “It seems it’s time for me to return to my quarters and feed this little one.”

  Seeing his queen move, Hadar was immediately at her side, assisting her to the floor.

  “Thank you, Hadar.”

  Once done, he bowed his head to her. “Majesty.”

  “I’ll let Grim know what you found.” Her gaze traveled over all three of them. “I’m sure he’ll be contacting you.”

  “I’ll await his comm, Majesty.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Grim disconnected his comm with Wray and felt a moment of satisfaction until he saw the time. He was late. Crossing the training field, he found Alger had already begun putting the trainees through their warm-up exercises.

  “Nice of you to show up. I thought I would have to do this alone today,” he teased Grim.

  “You are,” Grim told him. “Something has come up that I need to take care of. I just wanted you to know.”

  “Do you need me to come with you?” Teasing forgotten, Alger pulled on the formality as captain of his King’s Guard.

  “No. It’s something I need to handle alone.” His gaze ran over the trainees. “If you need assistance, contact Agee. I believe he’d enjoy working with the trainees.”

  “Really? I hadn’t realized.”

  “Just something Lisa overheard in passing.”

  “He would be a good trainer.” Alger’s gaze ran over the current group. “But I won’t need his assistance today.”

  “All right. Just something to keep in mind. Let me know today’s results.” With that, Grim walked away.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Grim paused as he approached Gossamer and Padma’s home. It sat on the edge of the forest and was well maintained. Before meeting his Lisa, it was something he would never have noticed. It was a good home where a fit and worthy male raised his family.

  The front door opened, and Gossamer stepped out, obviously having noticed him standing there. Walking up to him, Grim extended his arm in a warrior greeting.

  For a moment, Gossamer hesitated, then grasped his king’s forearm.

  “Warrior Gossamer, may I speak with you?”

  “Of course, my King.” Stepping back, he gestured for Grim to precede him.

  Inside, Padma worked on something but quickly put it down to stand and bow her head. “Majesty.”

  “Hello, Lady Padma. I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I just wanted a word with Gossamer. Alone.”

  “Of course, my King. I needed a break, anyway.” She gave Gossamer a questioning look. “I’ll be out back, working in the garden.”

  Ignoring his king, Gossamer walked over and lightly kissed her lips. “Keep the door open.”

  Nodding, she turned and left the room.

  Grim faced Gossamer. “You are concerned about your lady’s safety on your own property?”

  “I’m concerned no matter where we are. As I’m sure you are with your queen.”

  “Truth. We could step outside if you prefer.”

  “No. My Padma likes to work in her garden alone.” Gossamer hesitated then said, “But perhaps in the kitchen?”

  “That would be fine.” Following him into the kitchen, they sat at the table with a clear view of the outside.

  “What did you wish to discuss, Majesty?”

  “I’m not sure if Lady Padma has informed you yet that she is making coverings for Carly and Miki so I can begin to train them.”

  “She has, Majesty.”

  Grim exhaled s
lowly. “Did she also inform you Dagan requested to be trained ?”

  He watched Gossamer’s gaze travel to where Padma knelt in the garden. His hands clenched on the table before his gaze returned. “She did, Majesty. But you need not worry about it. I have refused to give Dagan my permission.”

  Grim wasn’t completely surprised. He was curious as to Gossamer’s reason. “Why?”

  “Why?” Gossamer’s face tightened and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Because I will not allow my male to be the subject to any more ridicule than he already is.”

  “Do you truly believe I would allow that, Gossamer?”

  “It’s not something you can prevent, Majesty. I was once a trainee. I remember how competitive it can be, how brutal. Dagan is not equipped to handle that.”

  “Truth.” Grim could see his response had shocked Gossamer.

  The tension in Gossamer’s shoulders eased. “Then why are we discussing this?”

  “Because while I agree Dagan will never be a warrior, that doesn’t mean he can’t learn how to protect himself and those he loves. It’s how he presented his request to my queen, and I can’t fault it. It is the sign of a fit and worthy male.”

  Gossamer blinked rapidly to control his reaction to Grim’s words. He had believed his youngest to be just that all his life, even when others hadn’t seen it. From the first moment he’d laid eyes on Dagan, he’d fallen in love with the male. That he’d never be a warrior hadn’t mattered. After all, his manno no longer was.

  Grim saw the emotions the other warrior tried to control. His belief in Dagan, his love for him, and his concern shone fiercely in his eyes. A year ago, Grim wouldn’t have understood those emotions. Now he understood and was outraged by what this warrior had gone through to protect his family.

  “I would ask that you reconsider your decision. As you do, may I discuss something else with you?”

  “Of course, my King.”

  Grim rubbed his hands across the top of the table and then looked Gossamer in the eye. “I need to apologize to you.”

  “For what?!” In his shock, Gossamer forgot he was addressing a king.

  “For not preventing my uncle from forcing you out of House Luanda.”

  Gossamer was already shaking his head in denial. “There was nothing you could have done. Rask was the king. You had just arrived on Luda after finishing your mandatory training with the other Houses in the Empire. Rask wouldn’t have listened to you even though you were the future King.”

  “Perhaps not, but I could have tried.”

  “Why?” Gossamer was genuinely shocked. “It had nothing to do with you.”

  “Why? Because a fit and worthy male should never be forced out of his House because of who he loves.”

  Gossamer had no answer for that.

  “I do not know what I would have done if Wray hadn’t recognized my Joining with Lisa as valid.” Gossamer never got the chance to respond. “That’s an untruth. I know exactly what I would have done. I would have taken my Lisa and our girls and left. I would have abandoned my duty and my people. I would have abandoned everything I’d vowed to protect to keep them safe.”

  Gossamer inclined his head. “Then you understand why I left House Luanda. Padma meant more to me than any position.”

  “It’s a choice you should never have had to make.”

  “It is in this empire.”

  “Not for much longer.”

  “What?”

  “I spoke with the emperor before coming here today, and he agrees there should be no distinction between Tornian females and non-Tornian females. Tomorrow, he will announce he is revoking the law, and every female, no matter their race, will have the same rights and protections as a Tornian female.”

  “That… that…” Gossamer was at a loss for words. The announcement would change the situation for thousands, no millions, of females throughout the empire. Females always at risk before.

  “It’s something that should have been corrected long ago. Why it wasn’t, I will never understand.”

  “We can’t judge our ancestors on what they did unless we lived their lives.”

  Grim raised an eyebrow at the other male. “I never knew you were a philosopher, Warrior Gossamer.”

  Gossamer smirked. “One has a great deal of time to think when one is stitching, Majesty.”

  “Do…” Grim cut himself off, knowing it was not his place, king or not.

  “Do I what?”

  “It matters not.”

  “Do I enjoy being a clothier instead of a warrior?” Gossamer guessed his question.

  “I… yes. I was curious, but it is none of my business.”

  “I do not mind answering. At first, I hated it and only did it to provide for my family. Then slowly, over time, I realized the skill and technique it took to make a covering. It wasn’t any different than running the perfect obstacle course. Or mastering a difficult sequence with a sword. Now it brings me the same satisfaction.”

  “So, you wouldn’t be interested in returning to House Luanda as a warrior?”

  “What?! Majesty, while I’m greatly honored you would even consider such a thing, I must decline. My place, my life, is here with my Padma and our offspring.”

  “I understand, although I would like you to reconsider allowing Dagan to train with the girls. We will be beginning with just the basics, such as stamina, balance, and self-defense. They will also be running the obstacle course. The girls are only four and six.” He gave the other male a considering look. “You could be present if you wish.”

  Gossamer looked toward the garden through the open door and then back to Grim. “Dagan has orders for suncatchers he needs to complete. They take him an extremely long time to do.”

  “He could come to every other practice. I only plan on training the girls twice a week.”

  “It would help him. Give him more confidence.”

  “It would,” Grim agreed.

  “When do you plan on starting?”

  “Whenever Lady Padma completes their coverings.”

  “Then I will have Padma make some for Dagan. Let me know when you will begin, and I will have Dagan there.”

  Grim rose, extending his arm, which Gossamer immediately gripped. “I will.”

  After Grim left, Gossamer turned to the open back door and found Padma standing there with tears streaming down her face.

  “Thank you, Gossamer,” she whispered.

  “I knew you were only pretending to garden.”

  “You know me well, my love.”

  “I can’t believe the emperor is revoking that Daco-cursed law.”

  “Because his empress and Lisa have made him see how wrong it is. They have now made the universe better for all females.”

  “They have.”

  “Gossamer?”

  “What, my love?”

  “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  “What has you looking so satisfied?” Lisa lay across their bed, wearing the nightgown she’d brought from Earth in what she hoped was a sexy pose.

  “I spoke with Gossamer today. He has agreed to allow Dagan to train one day a week,” he told her as he sat on the bench at the end of their bed to pull off his boots.

  “Just one?”

  “I only plan on training the girls twice a week.” He set the first boot down and then went to work on the other. “There’s no reason for a more intensive schedule.”

  “I’m not sure Carly will agree.” She couldn’t help but smile as she propped up on an elbow, so her new, larger cleavage was on full display. “I found her watching Alger with the trainees today, trying to imitate their moves.”

  “Really?” Grim found himself smiling as he rose and began removing his shirt. He’d done the same thing when he was Carly’s age. “How did she do?”

  “From what I saw? Really well. But I’m not an expert, just a mother.”

  “What about Miki?”

  “She was
busy coloring. I know she wants to train too, but for her, it’s more because her sister wants to.”

  “I was like that with Wray.”

  “Really?” Lisa forgot about trying to entice him. Grim rarely talked about his childhood. “And you never wanted to be emperor?”

  “Never,” he immediately replied, crossing the room. He tossed the dirty garment into the container that Montfort would collect. “I don’t have the temperament to be the emperor. If I’d been emperor during the rebellion, I would have removed the lords from every House that hadn’t come to Wray’s aid.”

  When those loyal to Bertos had tried to assassinate Wray, Lisa had been with Kim, but she’d heard how only House Luanda and House Rigel had immediately come to Wray’s aid. The remaining six Houses had waited to see the outcome.

  “I would have done the same.”

  “Wray sees it as something he can hold over them. He’s already subtly altering those Houses.”

  “Good.” Done with subtle, she shifted on their bed and raised the hem of her nightgown, exposing one thigh. By his gasp, she’d finally caught Grim’s attention. “You haven’t asked what I did today.”

  “What did you do today, my Lisa?” he asked gruffly, his gaze fixed on her pale leg.

  “I visited Hadar and used the deep repair unit.”

  “What?!” His eyes shot to hers. “What did he find?”

  “I’m perfectly healthy, have no sign of the Karkata parasite, and can return to all my normal activities.”

  “All?” he croaked.

  “All.” She wiggled her brows. “Carly and Miki are down for the night, and we have at least an hour and a half before Adora is hungry again. Maybe we should verify that.”

  Over the last year, Lisa thought she’d seen all the different sides of Grim. But as he moved toward her, she witnessed something completely new. His expression had a hunger and so much raw need that her heart began to pound, and her channel clenched with need.

  “Are you teasing me, my Lisa?”

  “Never, Grim. Not about this.” Reaching up, she grabbed the waistband of his pants and pulled him towards her. “I want you.”

  Groaning, Grim fell over her, bracing himself on his forearms, so he didn’t crush her. Shifting his weight, he straddled her hips and captured her lips for a hard, deep kiss.