Page 70 of Fall of a Kingdom

Noah was still awake, staring up at the ceiling like it contained all the secrets of the universe.

“What are you thinking about?” I whispered.

“Piper.”

I sat down on the bed next to him. “Yeah? What about Piper?”

“I’m happy she’s here. It feels right.”

I smiled at my beautiful, thoughtful son.

“She needs a pony, though.”

A wide grin stretched across my face. “She won’t be able to ride for a few more years.”

Noah nodded. “Iain, Hawk, and I already have horses. It’s not fair that she doesn’t have one.”

“She’ll have one,” I promised.

I wondered if Piper would be a natural born equestrian. Would she want to show? It was too far ahead into the future for me to be thinking that.

I kissed Noah’s forehead. “Good night.”

He rolled over onto his side and closed his eyes. “Good night, Mam.”

I flipped off the main light and then left Noah and Iain’s room, closing the door behind me. I passed Piper’s nursery and because I couldn’t help myself, went to look in on her.

I wondered what babies dreamed of. Did they know fear or panic the way adults did? Did the world’s ugliness infect their dreamscapes, or were they spared the imprinting of horrors until they were older?

“You’re philosophical tonight,” Igor commented. “Unusually so.”

I ignored him. I did not engage, or even look in his direction. Instead, I stared down at my sleeping daughter, wondering if I’d ever slept so peacefully.

It had been a long day. With the arrival of Sasha and Quinn, getting them settled, not knowing Piper’s routine yet, I was ready for bed.

Quinn had gone to sleep hours ago due to jet lag, but Sasha had remained awake, and he and Flynn had been solidly imbibing in the study.

The bedroom was a welcome and quiet haven. I dropped down face first onto the bed and conked out.

I stirred when I felt Flynn settle down on the bed next to me. I turned my head and stared at my husband. My handsome, wonderful husband.

“Sorry,” he whispered, his eyes slightly glassy. “Did I wake you?”

“Kind of,” I said. “It’s okay, though.”

“You fell asleep with the light on. You must’ve been tired.”

“Must’ve been. How much scotch did you and Sasha drink?” I demanded.

“A fair bit.” He grinned and finally dropped down onto the bed next to me, pulling me close.

“I’m worried about Iain,” I said.

“Iain? Why are you worried about the lad?” He rolled over onto his back and gently patted his chest. I nuzzled against him and pressed my cheek to his shirt.

“Hawk is the eldest. He’s a natural leader. Noah is quiet, but sure of himself. Iain is sandwiched between two strong, yet different personalities and I worry he’s going to be living in Hawk’s shadow and that he’ll always try to emulate his older brother.”

Flynn stroked a hand down my back. “Awareness is key. We’ll keep an eye out. We should carve out some time with him, alone. We don’t want him lost in the shuffle of Quinn and Sasha being here, along with introducing Piper into the family mix.”