Cinder and Char (7 page)

Char’s eyes widened, and he began to shout more viciously at the panicked guards.

“Get the fucking birthing women and physician here right now, or I’ll tear off your heads myself.”

* * * *

Never before had Char felt this awful. It felt like the ground had been forcefully yanked from under him. Even when his father died, he hadn’t felt this much dread. When the physician and birthing women arrived, they’d thrown him out of the chambers, saying he was helping no one.

“The king, thrown out his very own quarters. The fucking nerve,” Char muttered under his breath. He knew it was inevitable given he was about to kill someone, but it still stung he couldn’t be by Cinder’s side.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. We let our guard down when the assassin claimed she was a physician.” Gunter’s chastised voice made Char turned his attention to his second.

“Well, it’s a good thing Cinder was resourceful enough to wield a backscratcher, wasn’t it?” Char said bitingly.

He then regretted his outburst. At first, he’d been enraged to discover both the soldiers he’d posted, men he trusted with his own life, had failed in protecting his mate, but blaming them for what happened was helping no one.

Char’s only consolation was the knowledge Ulfric was truly dead, and most of his allies who'd meant Char and Cinder harm were arrested and imprisoned. Without a leader, his brother’s supporters would drift apart and some would eventually flock to the new government. Char didn’t believe for a second his throne was secure, but his brother had been his greatest threat.

Most of his subjects loved Cinder, and loved him even more for bringing the planet the next ruling heir. Heirs, Char corrected. Cinder was carrying twins.

Cinder, please don’t die on me. I can’t raise our children alone.

Char let out a breath and eventually said, “What’s done is done, Gun.”

“It won’t happen again, Char. I promise you this.”

“Thank you, Gun. Your loyalty means a lot to me. Without you and the men, we wouldn’t have been able to wrestle the throne from Ulfric, or quell his little rebellion.”

Gun delivered a formal bow. “You honor me, Highness. Please allow me to say this. Cinder is strong and he’s proven it over and over again by breaking us out of prison and fending off the assassin. He’ll make it.”

“I hope so.” Char rubbed at his face.

Was it only just a few hours ago he had been alone with Cinder, talking about their future? Damn it all. He’d really been looking forward to spending quality time with Cinder. Much earned quality time. Char had severely missed Cinder when he was visiting the other clans. Why did matters always have to spiral out of hand?

“This is unbearable. What is happening inside?”

Gunter clasped his shoulder. “Patience, Highness. I know it’s the most awful feeling in the world waiting for your mate to give birth, but it will be over soon.”

Char bit back a remark. Gunter spoke from experience. He had two cubs of his own, and his mate had had a hard time with both pregnancies.

The doors opened several minutes later, revealing one of the birthing women. The wide smile on her face made Char breathe a sigh of relief. “Cinder and the babes are fine?”

“Your mate was injured during his fall, Highness, but he will recover. Both your babes are healthy.”

Char followed her back into the chamber. His eyes were only for Cinder and the two small figures curled up against his arm. Cinder’s tired eyes found his immediately. “Come see your children, Char.”

Char went to him and gave him a lingering kiss on the lips. He closed his eyes. “You scared the hell out of me, Cinder.”

“Oh, don’t be dramatic, Char. I’m built to last.”

Char had to smile. Cinder gently eased the crying girl in his arm. Immediately, the delightful, tiny pink bundle stopped crying as she caught sight of Char. Adorable amber eyes blinked at him. When she smiled and wiggled in his hands, it felt like a bolt of lightning struck him.

“Cinder, our daughter is beautiful,” Char whispered.

“And she looks exactly like you, brooding eyes and all. I really thought I would be giving birth to puppies. You could have warned me!”

“They’ll start shifting during their first week or so.” Char handed his daughter to a nursemaid and picked up his son. The boy seemed to be a tiny copy of Cinder. While he had Char’s yellow eyes, his mop of red hair and the contemptuous look he gave Char was all Cinder’s.

“Then we have to puppy-proof the entire palace.” When Char exchanged looks with Gunter, Cinder glared at them. “What did I say now?”

“They’re going to be fine, Cinder. They’re half you and half me, after all.”

“Your Highness, I believe Cinder has had quite an exciting day. It would be best to let him rest,” the physician suggested.

With his son cradled in his left arm, Char squeezed Cinder’s hand gently with his right. “Relax and rest your body, Cinder. The babes and I will be here when you wake up.”

“That sounds like a good end to our story, Char,” Cinder murmured sleepily.

Char kissed his forehead. “This is just the beginning of our story, Cinder. The good parts have yet to come. Now, sleep.”

The End

Publisher’s Note

Please help this author's career by posting an honest review wherever you purchased this book.

Angelique Voisen writes LGBTQ erotic romances and likes experimenting with different sub-genres. Her stories are often set in exotic settings and may include blades, fangs, kinky magic systems and happily-ever-afters.