Epilogue
EPILOGUE
I stood before the large mirror on the wall and gazed at Garron, who stood behind me.
“Do you think Greydon will allow the spell?” I asked.
“I doubt very much he could deny your sister anything,” Garron said, wrapping his hands around my stomach to support its weight. I loved it when they did so. It was such a relief that I sighed and leaned back into him. He kissed my temple and then my neck.
“Your kisses are what keep me in this state,” I said without any hint of rebuke.
I would be lost without their endless affection and attention. My thoughts turned to how Brandle had woken me with Edmund’s help. The pair together often caused the air in the castle to shimmer with energy. Thankfully, it no longer caused a stir.
“Perhaps you should listen to Getaina after this one and take the brew for a time.”
“Perhaps,” I said, smiling slightly.
“I don’t like when you smile like that,” Garron said, frowning at me in the mirror. “It usually means you’re about to do or say something we won’t like.”
I patted his arm. “You’re paranoid. Do you think the rider was delayed? Or perhaps they had trouble finding a mirror?”
A knock echoed from the mirror before me, and I quickly pressed my hand against the glass.
My reflection with Garron disappeared, replaced by Eloise and Greydon standing in a similar pose. The moment Eloise saw me, she burst into tears.
“I miss you so much.”
“Hush, sister. You’ll upset your husband, and he’ll take you away before we’ve had a proper talk. Where did you place your mirror?”
“Close to our bed chambers. I would have put it inside, but…”
“Mine is close as well. I’ll have an attendant listening for a knock at all times. I promise.”
Her gaze dipped to my rounded middle.
“I didn’t realize we were so close.”
I grinned. “We’re not. I’m carrying twins.”
Emotions surged through Garron, fear at the forefront.
“Twins? Truly?” Eloise asked. “Um, Garron looks like he paled.”
“He probably did. I hadn’t told them yet. I wanted you to know first before they locked me away for the remainder of this pregnancy.”
“Do you have a good midwife attending you? Should I send mine?”
“I have the best midwives in Turre attending me. I’ll be fine. And after these two are born, I’ll take a brew for at least a year to ensure I’m fully healed.”
“Good. We’ll plan a visit then. I want our children to be as close as we were.”
“Are,” I said firmly. “These mirrors will help.”
My twin made a face. “I can’t say I like this. Even after all this time, the idea of using a mirror to communicate…”
“The past has passed. We cannot change it, but we can accept it and move on.”
She nodded. “How is Father?”
“Good. He’s teaching is Leedric how to ride and listening to Anna’s heartfelt speech listing all the reasons she should be taught as well.”
Eloise laughed. “Just like me, that one.”
“She is,” I agreed. “Much to Leedric’s delight. The Prince and Princess keep their grandfather on his toes.”
“Have you heard from Rose recently?”
I shook my head. “In her last correspondence, she said she was closer to discovering where Spyra and Maeve had hailed from.”
“Do you truly believe there are more casters out there like that?” Eloise asked.
“It was in Spyra’s memories before her mind broke. Three other girls were raised with them. And Spyra had been communicating with the woman until our return. As soon as I touched on where the woman was, though, everything vanished from her mind.”
“You’re a kinder person than I would have been in continuing to care for her,” Eloise said with a hint of anger. I knew it wasn’t aimed at me.
“She’s no longer the person she was,” I said. “Not a hint of evil intent lingers within her. Only a childlike innocence and fear. And, I will not lower myself to her level of cruelty to strike more fear into her heart when she can no longer understand why.”
Eloise sighed and agreed. “Tell Father that I love him and miss him. He should visit me soon.”
“We all will after your birth.”
Garron made a sound of disagreement behind me, and I rolled my eyes. “Providing it will not bring any risk to me or the babes, we will greet the newest member of Drisdall’s royal family once he or she arrives.”
I saw the way Greydon flushed and smirked. It made him very uncomfortable when we visited. While I was unquestionably accepted as the queen to the seven Kings of Turre here in Adele, on the other side of the Dark Forest, Drisdall viewed the ruling family of Turre in a different light. Wanton. Immoral. Unnatural. Yet, I couldn’t imagine living my life any other way.
“Just the two rooms, one for myself and my husbands and one for Father and the children will suffice again, Greydon,” I said.
“Must you tease him so, sister?” Eloise asked with a grin.
“I must,” I said. “I enjoy watching him squirm and wonder if my life choices appeal to you.”
Eloise laughed and patted Greydon’s hand resting on her stomach. “I’ll assure him later that he’s enough for me.”
“And I will be busy assuring my own now that my secret is out. I love you, El. Thank you for being my sister.”
“Thank you for coming back to me. My life wouldn’t be the same without you in it. We’ll talk again soon.”
I touched the mirror and watched her image fade.
“Twins?” Garron echoed. “Truly?”
“Why are you so shocked? I’m a twin, and your brothers are twins. I imagine this won’t be the last pair. Now, how do you propose I tell the others?”
“Naked. That’s the only way you’ll be able to distract them from their worry.”
“The bathing pool then?”
I’d created a bathing pool large enough for us all to fit comfortably. It was my favorite place to be of late. It eased the ache in my back.
Garron hefted me into his arms and started walking. “Wait until we’re there to call them to you.”
I didn’t wait. I let my need for them free and giggled when Garron stumbled a step, unable to control his surge of desire for me.
“Woman, you will bring me to my knees one of these days.”
“I dearly hope so,” I said.
The others found us in the bath a short while later. Garron was indeed on his knees, and my head was thrown back in bliss.
Agreeing to give them each a piece of my heart was one of the best decisions I’d ever made. Embracing who I was meant to be and loving myself the way I was was another one.