Page 98 of Goddess of Death
“I’m already so busy, and you’re already busy taking care of the boys all the time.”
“That’s never been a problem for me,Xivin.”
“But three… Three is a big jump from two.”
I shrugged.
“We already have a toddler.”
“He’s fine.”
“He’s fine?”
“I just mean he’s an easy kid.”
“I’m telling you three is going to turn ourworld upside down?—”
“It’s going to make us even happier than we are now. However many children we have, whether it’s intentional or not, is a blessing. It is my dream to have this life with you. While you’re off protecting our kingdom, I’m focused on our boys. I couldn’t have asked for anything more than this. So I know you’re scared. You’re the one who has to grow our child and birth them, but you’re a goddess,Xivin. You can do it again…and again…and again.”
“Well, this is the lastagain.”
“And what if we have a girl?” I asked. “I’m happy to have another boy, but it would be nice.”
Her eyes softened. “It would be nice.”
I searched her eyes, seeing her slowly come back to me.
“I know it’s hard right now because they’re young…and we might have another little one on the way. But trust me when I tell you, when you look back on your life, you’ll remember these years with the greatest fondness. We’ll know them forever as adults, but just a second as kids. When Xiathan said he was afraid I would be disappointed in him, I wished he understood how very grateful I am to have him that literally nothing could ever disappoint me. Whether we go out there to hunt the deer or pet the deer, I’m just happy to be his father.”
Her eyes remained soft as she listened to me. “You remind me so much of my father. He used to say stuff like that all the time.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
“Good, because it was meant as one.”
I moved into her, finally getting close to my wife after not seeing her since early this morning. My hands cupped her face, and I reached for the hairband that kept her braid in place. I tugged it free, and the hair came loose and fell around her shoulders. I cupped her cheeks again, keeping her hair from her face before I kissed her.
She kissed me back, immediately melting into me.
I was tired from the long day with the boys and being up with Makuvan throughout the night, but I was never too tired to be with her. To cherish our time together when they were both asleep and it could just be us. “Dinner or bed?”
Her arms circled my neck, and she kissed me harder. “You…always.”
Next from Penelope Barsetti
I’ve loved writing this series so much that I started a new series in this same world…just a different part of it. I’m so excited to share The Depths with you.
Orphaned far too young and the only child of the King and Queen Barclay, I was destined to take the throne upon my twenty-second birthday. But no woman has ever ruled my kingdom, especially one who is unwed.
Just when I decide to step back and let the crown be decided by the first-ever election, a man who has been like an uncle to me intervenes.
I give him my trust...and it's the greatest mistake of my life.
Before I know it, he sends me to my death in the Depths.
I survive the fall and meet Morco—the chief of the obsidians. He doesn’t trust me and I have to prove myself to earn his protection.
I quickly come to care for these people who fight to survive every single day in this dark hell. And even more quickly, I come to care for the man who leads them.
And he for me.
