39. Kit A Long-Awaited Family Re
Kit: A Long-Awaited Family Reunion
What followed were the three longest days of Kit’s life. He spent almost every waking moment in the chair next to Nelle’s bed, only leaving when Elodie or Oliver dragged him away to eat or sleep. Even then, he returned as soon as he could escape their notice.
The longer Nelle stayed lost in slumber, the worse he felt. By the evening of the third day, he was nearly ready to tear his own hair out. He let out a growl that would have been more appropriate for his dragonish form than his human form and shot to his feet.
“Did that make you feel better? Roaring like an animal?” Kit barely turned to look at Lucy when she wheeled into the room, a baby in her arm. Sebastian followed her with a second baby, the look on his face utterly enamored.
“No.” Even to his own ears, his words sounded petulant. “And before you ask, pacing the room doesn’t help me feel better either, but it gives me something to do to release my pent up energy.”
Lucy nodded. “Well, I will not let you hold either of the twins until you sit down, so you’d better get rid of that pent-up energy quickly.”
That stopped Kit in his tracks. “You…you had twins?” He frowned. “Elodie didn’t tell me that.”
“Well, maybe she would have had the opportunity if you’d stop biting everyone’s head off when they entered the room,” Lucy said with a sweet smile before gesturing to the chair.
“Now, sit. It’s time for you to meet your new niece and nephew.
” Kit followed her directions without hesitation, and his sister grinned.
“See? Isn’t it so much better when you follow my instructions? ”
“Don’t push it, sister,” Kit growled.
“Of course not,” Lucy smirked. She looked up at Sebastian. “I never overstep my boundaries.”
“You’re a liar, vixen,” Sebastian said fondly, before settling the baby in his arms in Kit’s. “Prince Christopher, meet Seamus Doyle. Your nephew.”
Kit peered into the baby’s face. The infant had a shock of red hair and green eyes, just like his mother, but he could also see traces of his father in his face as well. “He’s such a handsome boy,” he cooed. He looked up at his brother-in-law and sister. “You two did good.”
“It’s all down to Lucy,” Sebastian said, placing a kiss on his wife’s head. “She did all the work. I just contributed?—”
“Not in front of the babies,” Lucy scowled, her eyes flashing.
Sebastian ducked his head, and Kit was almost certain he was laughing.
She sent another frown his way. “I wouldn’t be so high and mighty if I were you, Mr. Doyle.
In sixteen short years, your daughter’s going to court people. And then I’ll be the one laughing.”
All traces of mirth left Sebastian’s face. “No, she won’t. Hannah won’t court anyone until she’s at least thirty. And maybe not even then.”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “I’m fairly certain my father said the same thing about my sisters and me. And now look where we are.”
Sebastian muttered something under his breath. “That’s entirely different.”
Elodie’s serene voice floated into the room. “If you two can’t keep the peace in the sick room, then I’m going to have to ask one of you to leave.” As she entered the room, she fixed Lucy with a piercing stare. “And it will probably be you, Mama Bear.”
“What? Why not Sebastian?” Lucy protested.
A slow smile spread over Elodie’s face as she said mischievously, “Well, for one thing, he’s my fairy godfather.”
“That’s not a thing,” Lucy scowled.
Elodie continued, as if her friend hadn’t interrupted her. “And for another, I specifically told you that you were supposed to be resting.”
Now it was Lucy’s turn to duck her head. “I am resting. See, I’m sitting in the chair and everything.”
Elodie shook her head. “You know as well as I do you weren’t supposed to leave your room for at least another couple of days.”
Lucy sighed. “Marrying Oliver has changed you. You’re much more bossy now than you ever were when we first met.”
“And it feels fabulous. It’s amazing what being free to speak your mind will do for a person’s personality,” Elodie said, her eyes sparkling.
Lucy grinned. “And I absolutely would never want to shut you up again.” She grimaced. “Even if you do send me back to the dratted bedroom. I’ve been bored.”
“Which is why I’m not going to send you back to your room. Yet.” Elodie turned to Kit, who was watching the exchange with amusement. “How’s our patient?”
His smile disappeared. “No change.” His eyes drifted on their own accord to Nelle, whose pale face almost blended in with the white pillowcases. “She hasn’t woken up once since she opened her eyes for Oliver three days ago.”
“That’s completely normal,” Elodie assured him. “Her body went through a traumatic injury. She needs to sleep to regain her strength.”
Kit nodded wordlessly. He knew she was right, but it didn’t make him feel any better. The baby in his arms started fussing.
“Did you hear your father arrived this morning?” Sebastian said, as Kit handed him Seamus.
Kit frowned. “I hadn’t.”
“He journeyed all through the night when he heard his sons had been found and his daughter had given him his first grandchildren,” Elodie said, as she went to Nelle’s bedside to check on her patient.
Lucy nodded. “He walked into my bedroom at dawn, demanding to meet his grandchildren.” She grinned. “He stunk of sweat and horses. Sebastian almost kicked him out of the room before he realized who he was.”
“I did not almost kick him out,” Sebastian grumbled, rocking the squalling infant back and forth. “He just startled me.”
Elodie’s keep eyes turned from Nelle to study him. “And your father? Has he been to visit the twins yet?”
Sebastian scowled. “No. He’s being his normal, pompous as?—”
“Sebastian Doyle, you’d better not finish that sentence,” Lucy threated.
“He’s spreading rumors around the royal guards. He says the babies aren’t even mine, since they don’t look at all like me,” Sebastian said, pain clear in his tone. “My mother, on the other hand, comes up in between every meal to play with the twins.”
“Sir Xander is an idiot,” Kit said. “Anyone who even looks at Seamus can see your features. And even if they couldn’t, that would be a horrible thing to say.”
“It’s not that big a deal,” Sebastian said. “My father and I aren’t close. I didn’t expect him to welcome me or the twins with open arms.”
“Still. It’s really not a nice thing to say about a new parent,” Elodie said. “I could ask Oliver?—”
“No.” Sebastian’s voice brooked no argument.
“If he doesn’t want to be part of my family’s life, who am I to argue with him?
” Despite his words, Kit couldn’t help but see the flicker of pain pass over his face.
Lucy reached up with her free hand and slipped hers into his, squeezing it gently.
Kit’s heart ached. Would he and Nelle ever?—
“Stop it.” Elodie’s words jerked him out of his thoughts. His eyes flicked to her, surprised to see her crossing her arms over her chest. “Her fever broke yesterday. There are no signs of infection. Worrying won’t change a thing.”
“Don’t be too hard on the lad, my lady. He’s never been one to sit on the wayside and do nothing.”
Kit whirled at the sound of a voice that he hadn’t heard in almost two years. His eyes widened as he watched his father stroll into the room, Robin at his heels, bouncing a little like he had when they were children. “Dad.” He was out of his seat and across the room with three long strides.
“Hello, my son,” King Edmund said, a smile on his face.
It didn’t quite match the worry in his eyes.
They lingered on Kit’s newly darkened hair and his face, which, even he had to admit, was more careworn than it had been when last they’d seen each other.
Still, his shoulders sagged with relief as he clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“Hello, your majesty,” Sebastian said, bowing to the king.
“I told you, Sebastian, none of that. You’re family now,” King Edmund said.
Sebastian stared down at his feet. “I’m not?—”
“Don’t be silly. I won’t have you observing formalities. You make my Lucy happy, and you’ve given me two healthy grandchildren. What more can a father ask for?” King Edmund asked, crossing his arms. “That’s the last time I want you bowing. Do you understand me?”
Sebastian’s eyes widened, and he began stammering apologies. Thankfully, before he could make the king any angrier, Hannah, who had been sleeping peacefully, awoke and started fussing.
“I’m sorry,” Lucy said, trying to quiet the infant. “I don’t?—”
“Don’t worry, Luce. I’m sure she’s just hungry,” Elodie said, smiling at her. “It’s been a couple of hours since you last fed either of the babies.”
Lucy nodded reluctantly. “Yes, but?—”
“Why don’t we give you three some privacy?” Elodie said, glancing between the king and his sons. “That way, Lucy can feed the babies, and then all three of them can have a nice nap.”
Kit nodded absently as she ushered Sebastian and Lucy from the room. Once he and his family were the only ones left in the room, King Edmund threw his arms around Kit. “I was so worried about you, Kit.”
“I’m sorry, Dad,” Kit mumbled, his voice breaking. “I never meant to worry you. I didn’t think breaking the engagement would?—”
“Let’s not think on it right now,” King Edmund murmured into his son’s shoulder.
“It’s all in the past, and all of my children are safe.
” He pulled back, a small smile on his face.
“In fact, for the first time, my entire family is under one roof.” He glanced at the ceiling. “Even if it is not my roof.”
“Really?” Kit looked at Robin. “Lady Qui—Mom is here, too?”
King Edmund nodded. “She’s been held up in a meeting with King Alistair all morning, but I saw her when I arrived. She’s as thrilled about her new niece and nephew as I am.”
Robin laughed. “You would hardly recognize her since she’s found Lucy. I swear, I almost saw her let down her guard once or twice.”
Kit gave a fake gasp. “Say it isn’t so!”
“Alright,” King Edmund said, shaking his head, though he still smiled. But then it disappeared, a serious countenance replacing it. “So, tell me, where have you been the last two years?”
Kit sighed. “It’s a long story.”
King Edmund settled in a chair at the far end of the room. “We have the time. I’m certainly not going anywhere, not until the rest of the council of kings gets here. And maybe not even there.”
Kit stared at his father. “The council of kings called a meeting?”
“Well, what did you expect when the four missing royal heirs appeared without warning? King Alistair is lucky that King Omar didn’t declare war when he sent word that Princess Amina was here.”
Kit winced. King Omar’s temper was legendary. “Well, at least that will mean that I only have to tell this story twice.” He winked at his father. “Once for you and once for the other kings.”
“Go on, then. I’m waiting,” King Edmund said, crossing his arms.
Kit sighed, then, slowly, with a few interruptions from Robin, he told his story. When he’d finished, King Edmund sighed and cursed. His eyes, dark as his son’s, strayed to Nelle. “And this woman? She’s the daughter of Queen Snow White?”
Kit nodded, then hurried to say, “But it wasn’t her fault. She was under a dominance spell.”
“There were rumors of a daughter, but when her majesty never presented her heir, we assumed that they were just that—rumors.” King Edmund sighed, stroking his beard. “When she’s well, she’ll have to appear before the council of kings?—”
“No.” Kit’s voice was hard as stone as he crossed his arms.
King Edmund frowned. “Kit, be reasonable. She needs to?—”
“Dad, I will not put the woman I love through that. She’s been through enough already.”
Kit glared at his father, unwilling to budge. It wasn’t until he heard a weak voice say, “Kit?” that he whirled around. His eyes met Nelle’s, and he breathed the first free breath he’d taken in three days.