“Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?”
“We do,” the small crowd behind him said.
“Rosa and Nicholas, having witnessed your vows of love to one another, it is my joy to present you to all gathered here as husband and wife. Nicholas, you may kiss the bride.”
He leaned over to kiss her gently, and she relished in his touch.
“We're married!” she said, leaning her forehead against his.
“We are,” he whispered, “and I promise to take care of you forever.”
Chapter 13
“Nicholas. Nicholas!” Rosa poked him and then poked him again. He grunted, rolling over.
“My love?” he asked, in confusion. It took him a moment to figure out where they were. In the past ten months, they had adopted Rosa's style of living. In league with the witches, they had been on the run. This time was a little bit different because he had the money to fund their exhibition. They never went hungry, and they were never cold. The witches were just glad that the Halloway line was due to return, and at any moment. At forty weeks, he should have guessed exactly why Rosa was calling to him.
“It's time,” she said.
“It's time?” he asked in shock. “Oh, God, it's time.”
He practically fell off the bed. Despite her contractions, she laughed.
“It's okay, we have a little bit more time than that. We don't have to fly me there.”
“Right,” he said. “We should…I forget where we are. What do we have to use? Are there emergency numbers? Are there humans on this planet?”
“We're on Terratuva,” she said softly. “It's like Earth. There's a phone right there. They deal with lots of humanoids, and the emergency number is the red button.”
“Right,” he said. He remembered they specifically chose Terratuva because it mimicked Earth, in many ways. They did deal with humans, and the magical content was even lower than Earth's atmosphere. It wasn't too far from Umora, considered a more remote planet. “Red button.”
He pushed the button, barely able to get out garbled speech about where they were. The dispatcher though, told him to remain calm and breathe. “Aren't you supposed to be telling that to my wife?” he asked.
“Sir, your wife seems calm in the background. It's you who seems to be having a panic attack.”
He blushed.
“Sorry. It's my first child.”
“That much is clear,” said the weary dispatcher. “Help will be along shortly. I'll stay on the line. Just put the phone down and hold her hand.”
“I can do that,” Nicholas responded, leaning over to Rosa. “Are you all right, love?”
“I'm fine,” she said. “My water broke, but it doesn't hurt too badly yet. Should you, um…do you want to call your brothers?”
“I can,” he said. “But I thought maybe we could just enjoy this moment, you and I? After this, everything will change.”
“Yes,” she squeezed his hand. “Everything will change”
They sat in silence for a while, listening to the sound of distant sirens.
“Do you think this will bring balance back to the magic world, like Cole said?” Rosa asked. “I love our baby more than anything, but it's hard to believe that one baby can bring balance to an entire world.”
“That is what some religions believe,” he said. “Also, some movies.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Are you seriously talking about Star Wars while I'm in labor?”
“And Christianity!” he pointed out. “And other religions that have had a prophet. You always think the prophet is someone other than yourself, but it could be you and I and our baby.”
She smiled.
“I'm just happy for a healthy child,” she replied. “The rest is bonus.”
“Yes, me too.”
Rosa had asked Cole whether the gender of the baby mattered, and he assured her that it didn't. So, she had insisted on it being a surprise. Everything was going to be taken care of for them. They would have unlimited funds, a nursery, help, clothes, and everything else they needed once they made it back to the palace. She didn't have the added stress of choosing clothes to suit a budget, or painting a room blue or pink. All she wanted was to meet her child, boy or girl.
“Do you think your father has figured it out yet?” she asked.
“I doubt it,” Nicholas replied. “Father used to yell at me all the time for my tantrums. He's probably thought that, since I'm not in the palace, I've just done something like that again.”
“Vanishing to see me?” she asked, and he smiled, kissing her forehead.
“Yes, of course.”
“You endured all that for me?” she entwined her hands in his.
“Rosa, I would endure anything for you,” he assured her, sitting on the bed beside her.
The dispatcher had been right; it wasn't long before help arrived. The process was actually very smooth, given that Rosa's pain increased. And, Nicholas noted, she was flexing her hand, letting out tiny sparks of magic.
“Rosa,” he whispered, covering her hand to not alert the paramedics. But he realized why she was doing it right before it was too late. Neither of them had thought about things like heart monitors and vital signs. Fueled by magic, Rosa had none that would show up. She was trying to imitate them.
He shot his own magic through them just in time. The monitors began to beep, and the paramedics look satisfied.
“Well,” Nicholas said to her in dragon lore as they headed toward an ambulance, “good thing I learned what human vital signs are supposed to look like.”
“It will get better once I have the baby,” she said. “I will be able to do that on my own.”
“You will,” he assured her, although he knew there was a chance that she wouldn't.
Cole's guesses had been only that–guesses. They were probably the most educated guesses someone could make, but they were still taking a huge risk.
The other option, though, was certain death for all of them. So, Nicholas chose to be happy and excited about this child and dreamed about their life. He couldn't think about what would happen if he didn't.
He missed his brothers so much, but he respected her wishes. He also wanted a moment alone with her, to revel in being a father.
He hadn't been frightened until they got to the hospital. Then, his heart rate rose as she started to struggle with pain. She held his hand, and he tried to flood her with as much magic as possible to keep her calm. She wasn't afraid, but she certainly wasn't comfortable.
“Is this your first?” the doctor asked.
“Oh, yes,” Nicholas replied, “but it won't be our last.”
“Yes, it will!” Rosa cried. He would have smiled if she wasn't in so much pain.
It was over in a moment. One minute, she was in terrible pain, and then the next, there was a different cry in the room.
“It's a girl!” the doctor said, handing Nicholas the child as soon as he had checked. “Congratulations!”
Nicholas wasn't sure what he was going to feel in this moment. He thought he would be excited; he thought he would be over the moon. But he was also full of emotion, tears popping into his eyes.
She was beautiful. With his blonde hair and Rosa's dark eyes, she was stunning. As her tiny hand reached out to grab his, he burst into sobs, turning to Rosa.
“I have a daughter,” he managed. She met his eyes, tears equally filling her own.
“We have a daughter,” she reminded him. She was exhausted but happy.
They only had one moment of peace before the alarms suddenly pierced the silence. The doctor and nurses rushed to Rosa's side, but she was fine.
She was more than fine, in fact. Her cheeks suddenly flooded with color, and she took a deep breath as if she hadn't been breathing in months.
He knew exactly what was happening. There were four Halloway heirs now, four witches to carry that magic. She could finally be floo
ded with the line force she should have.
“I'm all right,” she assured them. The doctor looked confused and took her pulse. It beat strongly, and she had bright eyes.
“Perhaps it was a machine error,” he said at last. “I will get you new ones. For now, take a few minutes with your baby, and then I'll be back.”
“Thank you,” Nicholas replied, settling onto the edge of the bed with Rosa. “You did wonderful, my love.”
“What should we call her?” Rosa asked. “The first baby born of the new generation.”
“Charity,” he smiled. “We are going to call her Charity, because that is how our rule is going to go. No more tyranny, no more terror. Only goodness.”
“Beautiful,” she said. “I approve.”
“Well, I sure hope you approve,” he said, “because you'd have to live with it the rest of your life otherwise.”
“Oh, what if I didn't like it?” she teased
“Then we would change it immediately.” He was a smarter man than to anger his beautiful wife. “She is lovely, though, isn't she?”
“What now?” Rosa asked. “Immediately back to Umora?”
“I think as soon as you are able,” he answered. “It's the safest place. Now that the Halloway magic is active again–”
“I can kill your father,” she finished for him.
“Or at least control him,” Nicholas answered.
She took a deep breath. “What do you want?”
“He's my father,” he said, “but we cannot live with him threatening our lives at every turn. I know how he is. He won't stop until he has what he wants.”
“Immortality and the throne,” she turned to Charity. “And he won't get it, not from me or my daughter. We will defend the throne.”
“The four of you should be enough to send him back to the Other,” Nicholas said.
“Do you think he might stop if he met his granddaughter?” Rosa asked.
“Any other man, I would say yes,” Nicholas answered. “But him…I don't think so. That's the sad bit.”
“Then we won't take any risks,” she sat up straighter. “Give me a day to recover, and then we shall go.”
“I should call my brothers,” he answered. Gingerly, he handed over Charity, who smiled at her mother. “I don't want to leave her for an instant.”
“We won't go anywhere,” Rosa assured him. “But maybe if you just stand at the other end of the room to make a phone call?”
“Brilliant,” he said, standing up. “What would I do without you?”
“Just make the phone call, Nicholas,” she rolled her eyes as she turned her attention back to her daughter.
Pulling out his phone, he punched in the numbers and then stopped himself.
“What am I doing?” he said, switching to Facetime. They may be able to call each other over Wi-Fi, but the technology of making phone calls did not go through planets. Clearly, he was distracted.
He called Alexander first, expecting the calmest response. Each brother had always taken care of the one closest in age to him, and Alexander had practically raised him, encouraging him despite Nicholas' shortcomings. He wanted to tell him first, and hopefully the rest of them were close by.
To his surprise, Alexander didn't answer, which was odd. Alexander always answered his phone, no matter where they were.
It rang and rang before he hung up, trying Cole next. Surely, Cole would be waiting for the news, excitable as always.
Except, Cole did not answer his phone either.
“What is happening?” he asked himself, confused.
“Maybe they are throwing us a party,” Rosa suggested. “Ready for our return.”
“Maybe,” Nicholas said. He tried Peter, although he knew that Peter was terrible at answering his phone. Peter hadn't quite grasped Earth life as well as anyone would have liked, although he was much better these days.
“Try the wives?” Rosa suggested. “I have their numbers if you don't.”
“One of them should be answering their phones,” Nicholas frantically dialed Ariel. To his relief, she picked up, right before it went to voicemail. “Oh, thank God. Precious, is everything all right?”
“Why wouldn't it be?” Ariel answered, confused. In the background, he could hear strains of music.
“Are you on Umora?”
“No, I'm at rehearsal,” she said. “Did Rosa have the baby?”
“She did!” He was momentary distracted by the terrible feeling in his chest. “A girl. Charity.”
“Really? I mean congratulations, but so old-fashioned.”
“That's us,” he answered. “Where's your husband?”
“Everyone is on Umora,” she replied. “I think there's some strategy meeting going on right now.”
“So, they are all in the same place?” Nicholas responded
“They should be. Why?” Ariel answered, confused.
They were all in the same place. They weren't answering their phones.
“Ariel, text me exactly where you are,” Nicholas answered. “We have to get back, and now.”
He hung up without giving her an explanation. Rosa clutched Charity closer, confused.
“What's the matter?” she asked.
“Something is wrong. Hold her tight,” Nicholas replied. “We're going to get Ariel, and we need to go.”
“But…” Rosa answered.
“My love,” he looked right into her eyes. “I will take care of you. I promise.”
She took a deep breath. This was what it had all been about, wasn't it? Being his wife, saving his planet, loving him.
She stretched out her hand and then stopped.
“Wait,” she said. “I can transport myself now.”
“Do you know the spell?” he was taken by the momentary happiness. They had wanted for this for so long and had dared to hope for this. It was a shame that they finally had to experience it under such circumstances.
“Yes,” she said. “Close your eyes, Nicholas, and tell me where to find her.”
“Here,” he showed her the map, and Rosa gathered her strength.
“Let's go home, Nicholas.”
Chapter 14
She hadn't expected it to be as easy as it was. They had all made big claims about how hard a transport was, especially with more than one person, never mind a carapace. But Rosa felt the spell fill her and move them as easy as breathing.
She was strong. She had never been strong before. Her landing was even smoother than any of the dragons had ever managed. Magic came naturally to her as if she had been doing it all her life.
And in a lot of ways, she had done it all her life. Every aspect of living had been done with magic instead of a life force. The simplest things were really just spells. She was just existing then as a holding cell. But now, she was alive.
Charity was clung tight to her breast. She felt half exposed, but Nicholas grabbed one of the ceremonial robes from the wall. It was meant for a queen to sit on the throne. It fit her like it was made for her.
“Are you all right, my love?”
“Yes, strangely enough,” she said. “I know giving birth is supposed to be exhausting but–”
“It's the magic giving you strength,” he assured her.
“Hey, you two,” Ariel was already standing. “I'm happy to celebrate my niece, but maybe in a moment. Listen.”
“Listen to what?” Nicholas asked, cocking an ear. “I hear nothing.”
“Exactly,” she replied. “It's the palace in the middle of the day. Shouldn't it be bustling?”
She looked fierce, in boots and an American revolutionary coat, her hair pulled back, and her eyes lined. Nicholas made a mental note to go see her play one day when there wasn't chaos in their lives.
“What's the plan?” Ariel prompted him.
She was right about the silence. It was deadly, as if someone had wiped all trace of life from the building. For all Nicholas knew, there were hundreds of bodies lying just outside of the door. The
building could be about to collapse. He needed to find out.
“Rosa,” he said. “If we find my father–”
“You've made your wishes clear.” She held her chin high.
“But our baby…”
“For such a time as this we were placed upon this Earth.” Rosa clutched the child close to her.
“All right, enough sap,” Ariel pushed open the door.
The palace was empty and cold. There was no trace of life anywhere. The epic battle that they had engaged in last time had caused quite a bit of damage, and not all of it was repaired. But Nicholas noted there was still debris on the floor.
“This is new,” he crouched down. “Someone has been here. Ariel?”
“Step away from me a moment,” she said, trying to feel the magic around her. She closed her eyes, extending her palms, and then re-opened her eyes. “He is here. Near the bedrooms, I think.”
“The bedrooms,” Nicholas replied. “Of course. It's the easiest place to trap them all, away from the vortex. This way.”
He was questioning his movements even as he made them. What kind of father brought his newborn child into a battle that they had lost last time? What kind of father introduced his child to the world through violence and tyranny?
It was the price children paid to be born to royals, he knew. He had survived, and his brothers had survived, but it hadn't been easy.
This poor child wasn't even a day old and was already fulfilling her princess duties.
“Here,” Ariel stopped outside the king's bedroom. She could feel the magic coming from that room, stronger than any others. Nicholas pushed the door open, half expecting it to be locked. It opened with no resistance, and what he saw in the room shocked him.
There was blood and the stench of death everywhere. Two servants lay on the floor, clearly devoid of life.
Peter lay on the bed, bleeding out of a stomach wound.
“Peter!” Nicholas grabbed his hand and was relieved to find a weak pulse. “Peter! Peter, can you hear me?”
To his relief, Peter's eyes flickered open. Nicholas had never gotten along with his oldest brother, but he was eternally grateful to see him take a deep breath.
The Vampire Touch 3: A New Dawn Page 110
