Falcon

Thor had fallen asleep and I forced everyone to get some sleep. Nora had just set the baby down after a quick feeding as I paced the room.  I needed to rest up, but my mind lingered over Thor. As I worked on him I could see that his body started to heal quickly, but it would be a couple of days until he could function on his own. I wonder how long he had been in a dog/wolfish form? I didn’t miss what happened between him and my daughter. She released him. What did it mean?

“Falcon, what are you thinking about?” Nora asked while pressing her hand to my chest, stopping me in my tracks. I looked down at my queen her eyes tired but welcoming as always.

“Nora, love. I’m just thinking about Thor. His body is healing fast, but his life has been trapped as a dog. I wonder if he’ll be able to talk or is the damage permanent. I want answers,” I grumbled, stepping back and running my hands through my hair.

“Do you think Charlotte will know?” she asked me, wrapping her arms around my waist and placing her head on my chest, settling my pulse again. She’s my soothing balm.

“She does, but she’s not telling us.” With Charlotte, I always tried to keep my cool. She couldn’t be blamed for it. I bent down and kissed Nora’s head. I wanted to hold Nora all day and make love to her, but I had to wait two more days. The blessings of a vampire body. The healing abilities were unusually fast.

She looked up at me with a serious brow and snipped, “Maybe if you ask her if he will talk, she can tell you that.”

“I suppose. I didn’t ask.” I hadn’t considered asking since we only had been in there for a few minutes. The idea had merit and now I couldn’t rest until I knew the answer. I looked at the door twice and back to Nora.

“Do you want to ask her now?” she asked, arching her brow daring me to lie to her.

“I do. Do you mind?” I returned the arched brow, wondering if she would be upset. Since she had the baby yesterday, I’ve left her side more often than not. I craved to be at her side, but the leader in me, and my new title forced me away. In a few hours, I have to return to the castle ruins to talk to my soldiers. It was a must and she would understand, but that didn’t mean she appreciated it. I’d had centuries to hope for this life, she had months to adjust to it all. I owed her my soul; she needed to be worshipped instead of neglected.

She gave me that smile that warms my soul. I could never get enough of the way she stares into my eyes with love. “No, go ahead. I’m going to lay down with the baby. I’m kind of sleepy.”

“I’ll be back in two minutes, then I’ll come hold you for a while.” I bent my head and kissed her lips. Immediately, a growl ripped through my chest and I lifted her to the bed, pinning her to the mattress. She elicited a moan as I attacked her pulse; I kissed and licked her rhythmic sign of life. I forced myself to pull away, realizing what I was doing and summoning any control I could muster.

“I’d love that, my King,” she whispered. I turned back to her, wondering if she felt abandoned.

“I’m really sorry about leaving you again, Nora,” I reiterated, taking her hand in mine and bringing it to my mouth. I kissed her palm.

“Okay, I’m fine. Just go,” she laughed off, pushing me slightly.

I teleported outside their bedroom door, knocking lightly. Draco opened it still dressed in the same clothes, scrunching his brow. “What’s wrong, Falcon?”

“Nothing. I have a question for Charlotte that I’m hoping she can answer.”

“One moment.” He closed the door, then less than a minute later opened it and welcomed me in. I saw Charlotte on the bed with the baby cradled in her arms. I must have walked in on feeding time.

“Sorry to interrupt. I just had a question,” I repeated.

“Sure, ask away.” She smiled at me, but I saw a hint of fear in her eyes.

What did she know? Why couldn’t she tell us? I hoped she had this answer and wouldn’t avoid telling me the truth. “Will he be able to talk?”

She nodded then smiled. “Yes, Falcon, however, it will not be for a good while. He must recover and return to normal. I don’t know when that will be, but that’s all I can say.”

“Thank you, Charlotte. Rest well.”

“When will you be leaving to the castle?” Draco asked me.

“In about eight hours. I want to make sure all those in the darkness can hear what I have to say.” My people needed reassurance that we were doing well. And that the battle had been truly victorious for us. Regardless of the massive battle, we came out strong.

“Will you tell them about your daughter?” he asked. I hadn’t thought about that enough. It crossed my mind initially, but then the sirens rang out and it had to be forgotten.

“I don’t know. That is a good question. Charlotte, do you know if it would be for the best or should I protect the secret?”

“Shout it from the rooftops. The people need something to hold onto after this massive battle,” Charlotte told us.

I nodded. “Great, I shall make the announcement after dinner.”  

I teleported from the room into ours. Nora settled the baby in her cradle before resting in our bed. She turned to me with a smile. “You seem happier.”

“I am, my Queen. Being around you soothes my aching soul.” I stripped down to my boxers and undershirt, then climbed into bed with my lovely mate.

“Yes, of course. But what news from Charlotte?”

“He will speak. And it’s best if we inform the people immediately of our daughter’s birth.”

She released a deep sigh. “I considered doing the same. Rest my love, we only have a few hours.”

~~~~

The slight nap did a great deal of good for all of us. Several hours later and we were all refreshed and ready to eat and discuss.

“Feed the little one, and I’ll be right back with our food.” I teleported outside a burger place in Seattle, ordered our food then turned into an alley and teleported back to the island. They were all gathered in the main dining hall ready to eat. I picked up enough food for ten of us. Hopefully, it will be enough.  

“Hmm…it smells so good,” Charlotte moaned, reaching for a bag of burgers. I had to agree the smell was incredible. We hadn’t eaten in a whole day and the women were probably more ravenous than us.

The babies were in their little cradles resting between us while we ate. After glancing at my angel, I took another bite of my cheeseburger. I was starving more than I believed. I managed to polish off two burgers rapidly.

Nora took a drink of water, swallowing down the healthy bite she took, then added, “Should I come with you? With our baby girl?”

I wanted to take her with but wasn’t sure of the risk. “What do you believe we should do, Charlotte?” She was the one who could let me know if it was worth the risk of transporting my family.

“You must go with. They must have the thread of proof you can provide with your daughter.”

Nora gasped, looking at the baby and back to me. “What is her name going to be, Falcon? We haven’t given her a name. Heavens I’m such a bad mother already,” Nora panicked, clutching my arm and looking up into my eyes.

“You’re not a bad mother. It is hard to decide. They keep it for forever, you know. Besides, none of us thought you’d have a girl,” Charlotte explained, grasping Nora’s hand across the table and giving a quick squeeze.

“She’s right, my queen. We can consider her name.” I shrugged and started to think. What would be a perfect name? She was special. She was the hope we all had. And that was when it came to me. “Speranza?” I offered. It was the first name that popped into my head. “It’s Italian for hope.”

“It’s perfect,” Nora cheered, squeezing my arm again. “Speranza,” she whispered down to our little girl. The baby cooed in her sleep, sounding as if she liked her name as well. I stood up and pulled Nora from her chair. Without a word, I wrapped an arm around her waist and bent down for a kiss. My hand reached her ass and gave a squeeze. She gasped, and I let go as Draco and Charlotte start laughing.

“Sorry, my love. I couldn’t stop myself. You look so radiant when you’re happy. I love you, my queen,” I whispered against her lips. “Mm… you taste delicious,” I murmured, moving my tongue along the seam of her lips, losing myself.

“It’s the burgers,” she moaned. I could feel the giggle as my hand caressed her neck.

“Nope, definitely all Nora,” I grunted out, rubbing my thumb across her jaw. I lowered my mouth, kissing her soft lips again.

“Um, can you two finish?  Then maybe you can go and welcome the world to little Speranza?”  Charlotte asked, giving us a smirk and a shake of her head.

“Sorry about that,” I muttered, sitting back down with Nora in my lap. “Finish your food, my world. We need to make the announcement soon.”

“I will if you let me go,” she pointed out.

“Why, you can sit right where you’re at.” I grabbed her burger that rested on the wrapper and dragged it across the table, setting it in front of her. “I can’t stop holding you, Nora.” The constant worry that something would go wrong muddled about in my brain most of the time, but I want her close because it felt so damn good.

“I’m not complaining. It’s just going to take me longer to finish.” Your cock is pressed against my pussy.

She finished that part telepathically, making me groan. She’d be ready for me in two days, but I wanted her right now. I moved her back to her seat. “Can’t have you delaying us.”

Really? Me? She laughed at me, shaking her head and blushing. My mate was so perfect, I longed to possess her all day and night.

A few minutes later we were finished eating.

We prepared ourselves to address the soldiers and their families, then we bundled up the baby. Nora nestled her to her chest, and I wrapped Nora up in my arms. “We’ll be back shortly,” I told Draco and Charlotte. Then we were gone.

We were in the courtyard of the castle. Most of the debris had been cleared away and some framework had already been gathered. We had speed and strength to our advantage. In two days, the castle would have the exterior completely rebuilt. The final details and such would take at least two weeks as we waited for the supplies from Draco’s seller.

Many of our men were skilled in homebuilding over the centuries. Half the soldiers and staff resting while the others worked hard when we arrived. They took shifts allowing those in the dark to rest during the day and they switched at night.

“Attention,” I called out. I kept Nora covered, waiting for them to gather before we revealed the truth. “Everyone, please come here.”

It took less than a minute for even those who were sleeping to surround the courtyard.

“Hello everyone. There’s something I must share. My beloved mate has had our child.” Gasps and cheers erupted. Nora moved from around me with the green blanket holding her. “I would love to introduce you to Speranza. Our little ray of hope.” Nora uncovered her face and showed the crowd our beautiful miracle.

“Speranza! Speranza!” they cheered. “All hail the King and Queen!” More cheers for our future resounded through the night air.

“Thank you,” Leonora told them, holding our little girl close to her chest. “Thank you all. We will do all that needs to be done to end this war. She brings us the hope that we all long for. A day when we no longer have to live in fear. One day we will all be able to walk in the sunlight. Give us more time to make it happen. It’s been a very long day and night for all of us. I’m sure we could all use some rest. Please get some and we can reconvene tomorrow night. Right, Falcon?” I gave her a nod. I had no idea that she was going to take over giving a powerful speech. I smiled the whole time. She couldn’t have made me any prouder. “Thank you again, but my daughter and I must rest.” They cheered us over and over.

I raised my hand to silence them for a moment. Once they were quiet, I spoke, “Thank you all. Let us thank all those who lost the battle for us. We will be victorious if my mother’s words were true. The birth of our daughter only adds credence to their life given in honor and with purpose. Rest and feast well. More supplies and food will arrive for the morning. Goodnight.”

I clutched onto Leonora’s waist and she tightened her grip on Speranza, then we teleported back to the island.