Forty-six

I fell asleep after crying, and woke up the next day with a headache and a foul mood. The babies were being loud. Aspen was hovering too much. People seemed to be asking if I was alright every five seconds and when I finally got to the clearing to spar with June, I was rearing to go.

June must have seen it in my eyes because she said nothing, only threw a column of ice at me.

An hour later, I was sweaty and tired, but feeling better. June let me go find food and said she would meet up with me soon to talk. I just nodded and ran towards the scent of stew.

When I sat down with my bowl and prepared to take my first bite, Sorrel appeared with a bundle of blankets in his arms. From the curl of light auburn hair I could see on the top of the head, I knew it was Jed.

"Aspen gave him to me because he had to go help Roan with something. He won't stop crying though."

Frowning down at my barely eaten food, I sigh and hold up my arms. "Thank you Sorrel."

The man handed over my baby, nodded, then nearly ran off to get away.

As soon as he disappeared, I felt it. "No!" I cried, but the pull was too much.

Against my wishes, my body began to move. I walked through the village until I found Willow, who had Inara, and strode over. Jed was quiet as we headed towards his sister, but seemed to look at me with those curious blue eyes of his.

"Zahra, how are you today?" Willow asked.

"I am doing good. Can I see my baby so I can put them both down for a nap?" I asked, and fought the hold so I could run, run as far away as a possible.

"Of course." Willow handed over Inara and smiled. "You're a good mother, Zahra."

"Thank you."

I turned away from the elder woman and instead of going towards my home, I headed for the village exit. Where was Aspen? Where was Roan? I needed someone to stop me!

I left the village and walked into the forest, seeming to be going in a straight line somewhere. It took only fifteen minutes for me to understand, and my heart dropped at the sight of Lucas's smiling figure sitting on a boulder with his hands resting lightly in his lap.

"Thank you, Zahra, for bringing our children to me to meet," he said softly.

I walked straight over and held out Inara. Lucas took her and cradled her close to his chest, cooing softly. I was struck at the soft expression on his face as he gazed down at the baby girl. He seemed to actually be enjoying her when he didn't enjoy anything else in this world.

I tried to speak, but couldn't. I could only watch as Lucas kept holding Inara, kept being nice and gentle. I could only be an observer to a scene I never would have thought to see.

"You know, I've always wanted a little girl," Lucas said to me a few minutes later. "Always wanted a girl to spoil and adore." He looked up, locking his eyes with mine. "So, I thank you for giving me my wish."

With those words, his hold left me. I nearly dropped Jed as I stumbled forwards, dropping to my knees and shaking violently. Lucas just sat there, holding Inara as if nothing was wrong.

I gently sat Jed down on the ground and glared up at the man who might be the worst person in the whole world. "How?" I ask.

He looked to me with a raised brow. "How what?"

"How did you do it?"

Lucas smiled, but I didn't get to hear what he did to me because then I was flying through the air, and my back hit a tree with great force, I couldn't breathe. Falling to the ground, I tried to see who had done that, but my vision was blurry, and I was seeing double of things I couldn't make out. I heard one of the babies cry, then Lucas trying to sooth them. But the baby didn't quiet. I finally heard Lucas say, "I was speaking to her, you know?"

Another voice, one I thought I recognized, said, "And I assumed you were done. Now, it is time for you to die."

I couldn't see Lucas,, but I heard the smile in his voice when he said, "Am I?"

I tried to move, but my back screamed in pain, my eyes began to see black splotches.

"You murdered everyone I loved," said the voice. "You slaughtered thousands, leaving them to rot!"

"Actually, that was either my son or Zahra. Not me."

"And yet, I know you were behind their actions!"

Lucas hummed. "Was I?"

I blinked rapidly, slowly regaining my vision. I saw Lucas standing with two bundles in his arms, smiling at a figure who had their back to me. "Your greed for power and cowardice for failing always led you to controlling others."

Lucas shrugged. "I admit I greed for power, but me, a coward?" He shook his head. "I don't think so!"

The figure laughed, then turned and walked towards me. I groaned, wanting to get up, but in too much pain to do so.

The figure knelt and I finally caught sight of who it was. "You, my dear, are coming with me," Marin whispered.