Regardless, she’d recover quickly.
And bonding with her little one would help.
Leela stepped forward after they finished situating themselves on the bed, and slowly lowered the child to Lizzie’s waiting arms. If she was alarmed by all the blood, she didn’t show it.
“Oh, she’s so beautiful,” Lizzie said, awe coloring her tone.
“She looks just like her mother,” Jayson replied, stars in his eyes as he stared down at his child.
Leela moved away from them, intending to give them a few moments of peace. But Balthazar stood right behind her, his warm body cradling hers and his hands finding her hips once more.
She shivered at the intimate touch. He was always bold, but this felt more like a claim. As though he knew he had a right to grab her. Because it was grounded in history and mutual affection.
I’m in so much trouble, she thought.
“Yes, you are,” he replied out loud, causing her to freeze.
Did I say that out loud? Or did he just read my mind? It was then that she realized what she’d missed in the flurry of activity before. The rune. Vera had given it to her to facilitate the healing, but it’d allowed all Hydraian gifts to work on her. Which meant—
“I know everything,” he whispered, his arms encircling her waist as he laid his head on her shoulder, watching as Lizzie and Jayson fawned over their child. “We’ll talk later, Lee. For now, let’s admire the life we helped bring into the world.”
Stas and Issac stood by the bed on the opposite side, both of them enamored with the child. Sethios and Caro were beside them, their focus on their own daughter, a wave of memories swimming in their gazes.
Twenty-five years ago, they’d brought Stas into this world. And now she was all grown-up with a mate of her own. Leela imagined that both pleased and hurt them. They’d missed so much of her life. But they were reunited now to enjoy the future together. Whatever it might bring.
Leela didn’t want to think about that now, so she did as Balthazar suggested and admired the tiny being in Lizzie’s arms.
The two new parents shared a look, Lizzie’s expression almost dreamy from the power exchange her daughter had initiated. They were bonding as a unit, Jayson’s energy added into the mix to help bolster their child’s strength.
A happy new family filled with love and affection, born in a time of future war.
But this child would be more protected than any other before her. She had the Hydraian Elders and Issac as uncles, Stas as an aunt, and Leela as a guardian angel.
It hadn’t been intentional. However, she’d bonded with the small child in her own way as she’d coaxed the soul back to her proper home.
Which meant Leela had tied herself in a way to the little spirit.
She’d never remove that tie.
It would forever remain between them, similar to how Gabriel had pledged fealty to Stas. But not quite the same.
“What do you plan to name her?” Stas asked softly.
Lizzie smiled. “Aidyn Lee,” she replied. “Aidan saved us both. It’s only fitting she carry his name in memory of his sacrifice. And Lee after Leela, for ensuring we all survived.”
Silence followed her words, the emotions behind the names burrowing deep into all their hearts.
Leela’s own heart seemed to stop beating, shocked at being honored in such a way. “No one’s ever named a child after me,” she whispered.
“Then I’m glad ours is the first,” Lizzie murmured, smiling down at their daughter.
Aidyn Lee.
“A fitting name,” Balthazar said. “Aidan would be honored.”
“He would,” Issac agreed, his tone a bit gruffer than usual. “Thank you for honoring his memory.”
“We wouldn’t be here without him,” Lizzie replied, her voice soft. “It’s the best way for us to remember him. It’s also a strong name befitting our miracle. Our baby Aidyn.”
