Page 176 of Destiny of a King

Fiora burst out laughing.

Dravic shot her a murderous glare as he scooped Adira up into his arms. “Not one word from you.”

Fiora continued to laugh.

“No laughter either,” he ordered.

Her laughter followed them through the forest as Dravic hurried toward the castle, carrying his smiling wife in his arms.

Dravic stood beside the cradle staring down at his children.

His children… two of them.

Even after hours of knowing they were here, the thought still filled him with an emotion so powerful he could barely grasp it.

His son slept on one side of the cradle with one tiny fist tucked near his face. His daughter lay beside him, equally peaceful, completely unaware that their arrival had turned the King of Scotara’s world upside down.

Adira had not birthed one bairn but two and one of each, a son and a daughter.

He had spent most of his life knowing it was his duty to produce an heir. The continuation of his bloodline had been discussed with him from the time he was old enough to understand what it meant to be king.

Never once had anyone told him what it would feel like to look upon his newborn child, and he had two to amaze at. His heart swelled as he looked at them.

He turned then to glance toward the bed. Adira sat propped comfortably against the pillows, chatting with Faith as though bringing two bairns into the world had been of little consequence.

Tharne stood beside his wife, while Kaelan and Bria remained near the foot of the bed. They had delayed their journey to the Northland when it became obvious Adira’s time was drawing near, refusing to leave until the bairn arrived.

Bairns.

Dravic still could not believe she had neglected to mention that particular detail. He was simply grateful she was well.

The hours of labor had nearly done him in. He had faced armies with less fear than he’d felt listening to his wife labor to bring their children into the world. There had been nothing he could do. No enemy to fight. No order he could issue that would end her pain. And Adira had endured it with a strength that humbled him.

“Beautiful, aren’t they?”

Dravic groaned before turning his head.

Fiora hovered beside his shoulder, staring down at the twins.

“They are,” he agreed with pride.

Fiora grinned. “Something we finally agree upon.”

“Do not get accustomed to it,” he cautioned in his usual authoritarian tone.

She laughed lightly and turned her attention back to the cradle.

After a moment, she said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be around to help you with them.”

“I—”

“And don’t bother telling me you won’t need the help.”

Dravic looked down at his son and daughter, then he looked at Fiora. “I will need the help.”

Fiora’s mouth fell open. “Did the King of Scotara just admit he needs a fairy?”

“I admitted nothing of the sort.”