Daughter Of Ethos: Divine Justice Book 4

by L M Lacee

  ‘Yes.’ With her eyes shining, she said. ‘It sounds pretty.’

  ‘It is as pretty as you are.’ She watched her shyly smile with pleasure at the compliment. ‘So you will be called, Hope St. Hill. St. Hill is our last name.’

  ‘It is very nice.’

  ‘I think so. We received the name from a special male who I will tell you about later.’

  Hope said nothing, but her smile stayed in place and Peyton could see her repeating her name quietly to herself. ‘Okay, so we have that settled. Now do you know how to clean your teeth?’

  ‘No Mama.’

  They spent the next fifteen mins learning basic cleaning of face, hands and teeth as well as how to use the toilet. Also how to access all the soaps and conditioner in the shower. Along with turning the shower and air dryer on and off. She introduced her to Jax and explained how he would help her if she forgot how to do anything.

  Hope looked at Peyton and asked. ‘Why would I forget Mama?’

  ‘People do sweetie.’

  ‘Who forgets Mama?’

  ‘Just people. Anyway I would like you to shower every day, morn or eve understand?’

  ‘Yes Mama.’

  ‘There will be more clean clothes for you to change into. If you find them hard to manage, just ask me or one of your aunties or even Jax will help. No one will growl at you, understand?’

  ‘Yes, I will have more clothes?’ She asked with wonder and joy shining from her eyes.

  Peyton answered yes, as she grinned to herself, probably more than Hope could ever imagine. Once the grandmothers and aunts got a hold of her.

  ‘Okay, so let us go, my tummy is hungry as yours must be and I think Keylan has woken from her brief nap.’ They walked out to find Darby, Patty, and Heather waiting. Peyton introduced Hope to them. ‘I would like you to meet my daughter, Hope St. Hill.’

  They all said together. ‘Welcome to the family Hope.’

  Hope bowed her head as her hand clasped tightly to Peyton’s as she shyly said ‘You are my family.’ She looked up at Peyton, fear evident in her eyes and voice as she asked. ‘Am I right Mama?’

  ‘Yes you are sweetie, and this is Keylan.’ Peyton gently released Hope’s hand as she took Keylan from Heather.

  Hope instinctively gripped Peyton’s shirt as her eyes opened wide. ‘She looks so different, she does not look like the toy anymore.’ The baby watched her but did not smile, Hope told them. ‘We were not allowed to hold or play with her. Sometimes I sneaked in and gave her a bottle when no one was looking. Do you think she will remember that and like me too?’

  Peyton stroked her hair in a calming gesture as she told her. ‘I am sure she will remember that and will love you, give her a little time. This is new for her too, just like it is for you.’

  ‘So we need food, let’s go, I am hungry.’ Heather said as she took Hope’s hand in hers and tugged it a little saying gently. ‘Come on little Hope, let us go find some food?’

  Hope said worriedly. ‘Auntie Heather, I am not very good at finding food?’ She let Peyton’s shirt go as Patty took her other hand.

  Heather shook her head and started walking. ‘I apologize, I meant we will go and visit Grammie Esther’s diner. That is a place that always has food, plenty of food.’

  ‘We can eat it?’ Hope asked with wonder and a touch of disbelief in her voice.

  ‘All the time, whenever you are hungry.’

  ‘I am always hungry.’ She whispered, she didn’t expect Heather to answer, evidenced by her hand twitching when Heather stated. ‘Of course you are, you are young and growing.’

  ‘Auntie Heather, I am not growing until I reach fifteen yentas, then I grow again.’

  Patty said. ‘Hope sweetie, young ones are always growing, just in little bits at a time. It is one of the reasons you are always hungry.’

  ‘Oh, so it is alright to be hungry Auntie Patty?’

  ‘Yes, but we hope you will not be hungry all the time now, we have plenty of food for everybody.’

  Every so often, Hope would look back to make sure Peyton was following her. Especially as they entered the airlift which only happened after Heather showed her how it worked. Hope’s face was a mixture of worry and amazement until Peyton arrived with Darby and Keylan. Who gurgled at the lift and frowned when they walked away from it.

  Darby said. ‘I think you have a baby techno girl there.’

  Peyton looked at her daughter who was still eyeing the lift. ‘Well that may not be good. Jax, can you do something about that?’

  I can, Darby.

  ‘Yeah, I was thinking, could we do a calibration for weight?’

  Peyton tuned them out as they discussed the technical aspects of the lifts, she kissed Keylan’s forehead and told her. ‘You stay off the lifts little one until Jax and Auntie Darby have fixed them.’

  Keylan blew a milk bubble making Peyton laugh as Hawk met them at the entrance to the diner with Karen.

  ‘Peyton.’

  She turned around and smiled at the happy couple. Keylan took one look at Hawk and threw herself at him. Luckily his reflexes were quick as he swung her into his arms. Karen grinned as Peyton scowled at Keylan as she flicked her eyelashes at him and babbled. She gave up the frown as she watched her cheerful baby make flirty eyes at Hawk.

  ‘This is my new daughter Keylan. I also have guardiod a ten yenta old, her name is Hope. She is inside with Heather and Patty.’

  Hawk kissed Keylan’s fingers, and she gurgled in response. He asked. ‘Is that the little one?’ He stroked Keylan’s cheek, indicting the scar that had been on Hope’s face.

  ‘Yes, how did you guess?’

  ‘She had to be, none other would have seen what you did.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Hope. I should go and say greetings.’ He bent his head and kissed Karen’s cheek and then Peyton’s whispering. ‘You did good sweet Mama.’

  ‘Oh, thank you. Now why do all my children adore you, what do you do to them?’

  ‘I am lovable and smell good. Rayvan and Draykin told me as did Salmah.’

  It is because you always smell of cookies and chocolate. Salmah said as she walked by them.

  Karen and Peyton sniffed hard. Peyton said. ‘I don’t get it.’

  Karen smiled as she said. ‘He just smells like Hawk.’

  Peyton frowned. ‘I still don’t get it. Maybe Darby will.’

  She turned to yell for her and Hawk quickly took Karen’s arm. ‘We are so not getting into a sniffing and smell night.’ He almost ran into the diner, pulling her after him as Karen laughed.

  Darby finished talking to Jax and saw Hawk with Keylan entering the diner. ‘Wow Keylan went with Hawk, amazing!’

  Peyton scowled at her and stomped in after her baby, not seeing Darby’s grin. ‘It is because he is just so freaking lovable and smells of cookies, which he will not let me find out, if he does or not.’

  Darby’s seldom heard laughter peeled out from her and filled the diner. Peyton’s sense of humor returned and her laughter mixed with Darby’s. The atmosphere in the diner instantly lightened as though sunlight eased into all the corners and dispersed the lingering sadness and anger that had accompanied the Draygons and Warriors.

  Chatter and laughter resumed more joyful than before, as the two females progressed into the almost full diner.

  FORTY-EIGHT:

  Within seconds, their two boys saw them and started yelling and running. Peyton had just enough time to say to Darby. ‘They learned this screeching from you and this is why you need to get laid.’

  Darby’s screech of outrage was drowned out by Rayvan’s and Draykin’s high-pitched screech of welcome. ‘Mama… Mama... Mama!’

  The boys launched themselves into their mother’s waiting arms, where they were hugged and kissed to within an inch of their lives. Causing heads to turn and smiles to grow. They made quite the sight, Madam Peyton and Specialist Darby, with their sons as they moved toward their table. After hugging their own child
, they swapped so the love they felt for the boys could be reaffirmed in hugs and kisses.

  Rayvan was once again in his mother’s arms as he told her. ‘I have two sisters, Mama. One is big, one is tiny. Mama, is she cooked?’

  ‘Where do you get these ideas from?’

  ‘Grandpa Marlo says she has not cooked long enough.’

  ‘Sweet boy, your Grandpa Marlo is not here to see Keylan?’

  Rayvan took her face in his small hands and turned her head, so she could see Marlo and Braace sitting at the table. Keylan was held in Marlo’s arms and Hope sat next to Netta. Esther and Brenda bustled out of the kitchen with trays of food.

  ‘Oh Darby, he is here. Marlo and Brenda came.’ She could barely speak as tears clogged her throat.

  Darby choked out. ‘I see that.’

  Marlo handed the baby to Brenda, and Rayvan slowly dropped from Peyton’s arms. Marlo moved around the table toward her only stopping to hug and kiss Darby’s cheek saying. ‘Missed you girl.’

  ‘Missed you as well, thank you for coming.’

  Peyton looked between the two, she was going to ask what that was about. When he turned and she was enfolded in his huge arms. ‘Now little lady, what have you been up too?’

  Peyton threw her arms around him and cried deep, silent sobs as she mind-sent. I screwed up, I could have killed them both because I was playing Star Daughter demigod. I screwed up so badly.

  ‘No, you didn’t girly. You did what was needed and sometimes what is needed is for others to make mistakes. Then fix what they broke themselves. You, girl, are the Star Daughter; you do not play at it, and you are no demigod. We know that, my stars, no one who forgets things as much as you do, could be. Now cut the tuap, no one we loved died, which is a surprise, considering that someone tried really hard to kill you again. So, today is a magnificent day. I have arrived as well as Brenda, and we have two new granddaughters. You can stop the tears now; you will make my Brenda sad she nagged me to come.’

  Peyton laughed and closed her eyes, instantly her tears dried and her face looked as though she had not shed a tear. Her voice was still husky as she said. ‘Okay... okay, so how are you here?’

  He pulled away and grinned at her, then frowned. ‘Did I not just say she nagged and nagged me to come? So we got a lift from Maikonia I, she was coming this way.’

  ‘Really, I did not know that.’

  ‘I do not know what you know. Why are you questioning me, infuriating female?’ He kissed her forehead and leaned down and picked up both Draykin and Rayvan, in his powerful arms making them giggle together. They returned to the table leaving a bewildered Peyton standing with her mouth hanging open.

  ‘Close your mouth dearle, it is not a good look.’ Brenda said as she hugged her.

  Hugging her back Peyton whispered. ‘So happy you are here.’

  ‘As are we?’

  ‘What happened, I do not understand, why are you here?’

  ‘We missed you all, and it was too quiet there without you.’

  ‘I have heard that before, but Brenda, you said never ever again would you leave home.’

  ‘Really, this is what you want to talk about, after everything you have been through. Someone tried to kill you again Peyton. This has to stop, someone has to do something about it.’

  ‘I know and when this is all over with, we will tackle that situation.’

  ‘Situation, Esther did you hear her, she said this killing her business, is a situation.’

  ‘I heard, it is this attitude that made you have to travel all the way here.’

  ‘Oh, come on, you cannot blame me for that?’ Whined Peyton.

  Brenda sniffed as she surreptitiously wiped the tears from her eyes as Esther squeezed her arm in comfort. She knew it had been hard for Marlo and Brenda to learn that Peyton had been hurt again on top of what happened to Hawk and Netta. When Darby had asked her to comm Marlo to come for Peyton, she had not hesitated. It had taken some quick persuasion to stop Helen and Larson from also coming and until now she had not known if Peyton would be pleased or angered. Thankfully Darby knew her sister well and Peyton seemed overjoyed to see the couple.

  Esther just kept the smile off her face, especially when she saw Peyton’s bewildered expression and heard Brenda growl at her. ‘I honestly don’t understand you at times. We have new grandbabies to discuss and all you want to do is judge me. Is this right?’

  ‘No Ma’am, not judging, very happy you are here.’ Peyton turned her head in time to see the smirks on the faces of her family seated around the table. She narrowed her eyes as she swept her glare over them and watched the smirks disappear to be replaced with sympathetic smiles. Her eyes narrowed further until Brenda tapped her hand. ‘Are you listening to me?’

  ‘Yes Ma’am.’

  ‘You need coffee and food then you will not be asking silly questions.’

  ‘Yes Ma’am, that is exactly what I need, I missed first-meal. Brenda I am happy you are here.’

  Brenda heard the heartfelt feelings behind words and said. ‘Oh, sweetheart where else would we be. Please don’t get hurt anymore.’

  ‘Netta and Hawk were hurt as well.’

  ‘I know luv and thankfully they are well and we are very relieved you all are.’ She smiled at her and said. ‘I will get you food and coffee, you too Darby. Amelia dearle can you help me?’

  ‘Yes Ma’am.’ Amelia said instantly and returned the smile Peyton gave her.

  You were missed Madam, they pined for you all. It hurt their hearts you were not home. More than they thought it would.

  ‘I am sorry Braace I know you dislike traveling.’

  I missed everyone as well, it was lonely without you. My bonded said we will travel, not all the time, but sometimes. It seems this is an acceptable compromise.

  ‘Well, I am pleased you are here. I missed you too.’

  Bacon happily bounded into the diner, effectively ending anymore conversation. He skidded to a halt before Peyton and Braace broadcasting loudly.

  MAMA MELODY, GRANPA MARLO AND GRAMMIE BRENDA ARE HERE. MAMA MELODY, BRAACE IS HERE TOO. I AM SO HAPPY!

  He wiggled so much, Peyton thought he would fall over. Melody came hurrying in saying. ‘Hush Bacon, not so loud. You will hurt everyone’s ears.’

  I did not mean to. He said in a softer voice.

  ‘I know, sweet boy.’ Melody raced over causing Peyton to fall back from Braace as she threw her arms around him. Then she was hugging Brenda who had returned with a tray of food for the children and then Marlo. She whispered. ‘I am so pleased you are here, I missed you both so much.’

  Marlo held her away from him as he looked her over something was wrong, he could feel it in her needar. His strong, centered Melody was unbalanced. ‘What has happened? What is wrong?’

  She shook her head, and he growled. ‘Enough, you will tell me. So I can fix it and do not tell me it is nothing.’

  ‘Marlo dearle, maybe it is something you cannot fix.’ Brenda suggested in her warm voice.

  ‘Not fix… not fix, what can I not fix?’ He demanded of her.

  ‘Maybe she is in looove.’ Peyton sang.

  They both turned slowly to her as she smirked at her sister knowingly. Melody narrowed her eyes and said. ‘Shut it Star Girl, no one asked you.’

  ‘Eww! Sounds like I hit a nerve.’

  ‘Ignore her, she is an idiot.’ Marlo told her.

  ‘Where’s the love?’ Peyton demanded.

  ‘Now Melody you will tell me.’ He scolded and then a loud angry roar sounded from the doorway, and an enraged fully winged Bronze monster emerged. His wings were spread part way as he circled the room. Warriors stood and placed hands on their blasters as the winged desoul moved through the room, keeping the wall at his back. Peyton sent to Hawk. Good stars have them stand down, it is a mating call, he is here for Melody.

  Hawk commanded. ‘Warriors stand down.’

  The voice that emerged from the giant was filled with power as he roared
again. ‘Release her Warrior. She is mine. I warn you if you do not. I will take your hearts from your body. Your death will be my reward if you try to take her from me!’

  Marlo looked down at Melody and she sighed. ‘That... that is the furin problem. Papa kill him.’

  Marlo roared with laughter as everyone looked wide-eyed at the normally taciturn Commander. He pushed Melody toward the winged maniac.

  ‘She is all yours, Warmaster, I have no claim on her. I agree she is a magnificent prize.’

  Shocked, Melody stood with her mouth open as the winged monster challenged. ‘You will not fight for her?’

  Marlo shook his head. ‘No, I have my own female.’

  ‘Then I claim her. Warrior Melody James as my Warmistress.’

  ‘The hayda I am. MARLO!’ Melody yelled as she turned and stood inches from him, staring up into his serious face. He leaned down, laughter and seriousness warring in his eyes, as he told her. ‘Have you not experienced what happens when our kind denies their mate, daughter?’

  ‘I am not your kind?’ A warm feeling of rightness flowed through her when he called her daughter, but she was puzzled by his words. She was not a Warrior nor an Elite, therefore what repercussions was he talking about.

  Marlo laughed again as Hawk who had stood along with all the Warriors stood in front of her. He gently cupped her cheek in one hand and looked into eyes that were so dearle to him. ‘Melody, you have always been our kind. A Commander of Warriors from the first day we met, and you saw us as equals, as Warriors of worth. Do you really want to find out what happens to a Terran Commander when she refuses the Star Child’s gift of a mate?’ He pointed between her and Coraan. ‘You and I are very much alike, we both think to save our mates from ourselves. Does that make us fools or just cowards…’

  Peyton cut in. ‘I am voting for…’

  ‘Silence Star Girl.’ They both told her.

  ‘Rude.’ Peyton sniffed and wiggled in next to Netta and Knife, who was sitting beside Hope. ‘Greetings Prowler baby.’

  Geetins Mama Peytn, me with Hope. She petty,

  ‘She is very pretty.’

  Hope’s eyes were wide as she looked at Knife, while she put food in her mouth. Her eyes seemed to have a life of their own as they constantly touched on everyone at the table and then returned to Knife.