by Cheree Alsop
Several months later, I sat beside Axon at the dinner table and watched the people below laugh and dance to the joyful tunes supplied by Pyth’s lute and his wife’s beautiful singing. Their sons chased each other through the dancers, two of whom barely missed a disastrous tumble into a bowl of punch; Pyth’s baby daughter slept on his wife’s lap while she sang. Several Luminos and Duskie couples danced together, no longer needing to hide their feelings for each other from the world. I smiled at the girl who had asked me so long ago in the market square if I loved Axon; she twirled with a look of pure joy in the arms of her Luminos suitor. Commander Jashen met my eyes from down the table and raised his glass. I smiled and lifted my own in return.
I felt a stirring in my stomach that had repeated itself several times in the last few days and rested a hand there. Axon glanced over and his eyes widened. I nodded and his mouth fell open. He leaned over to his mother and whispered something; she smiled at me knowingly and repeated the words to her husband. King Adexo stood up so abruptly his chair fell over, which caused the members of the court to fall silent.
King Adexo cleared his throat. ���My people, it is my privilege to announce that my son, your future King, and his wife, Princess Nexa, Commander of the Duskies, is expecting a child.”
A roar of approval swept up through the crowd; Axon set a hand on my stomach and we smiled at each other when the baby pushed back.
***Mist, Book 2 in the World of Shadows, is now available!
About the Author
Cheree Alsop is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and two amazing twin sons who fill every day with light and laughter. She married her best friend, Michael, who changes lives each day in his Chiropractic clinic. Cheree is currently working as a free-lance writer and mother. She enjoys reading, riding her Ninja motorcycle on warm nights, and rocking her twins while planning her next book. She is also an aspiring drummer and bass player for her husband’s garage band.
Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out, enjoy the outdoors, and plan great adventures.
