I don’t know if it’s because of my heat that came in the middle of it, but my body was healing well, faster than it did after the marking with Damar.

The door creaked open, and Fenric walked in. He watched me for a while, and I think I blinked about six times before anything happened. His red eyes were soft but weary. He’d clearly been the one holding the line while the ’Sea Prince’ and I were lost in the depths.

"You’re awake," he finally spoke, stepping toward the bed. He didn’t ask how I felt; he could see the satisfied glow in my eyes and the way the mark on my ankle was practically singing. "The six days are over, Arinya. The palace is standing, though I can’t say the same for Damar’s patience."

I laughed weakly, leaning back into the pillows for just a second longer. "Damar’s patience is a myth, Fenric. We both know that. But I think the heat actually helped... It’s like my body just decided to go into overdrive to keep up with Thalor’s magic."

"How is it?" He asked, and though he wasn’t very particular, I knew what he was referring to.

​"I’m fine, Fenric," I said, my voice sounding much stronger than it had after the ’dismantling’ with Damar. "Just... hungry. Starving, actually. And I want to see my babies. Did they grow another three months while I was gone?" Wait, since it was six days this time, did they grow another 6?

I’m kinda nervous.

​"They are already trying to stand on their own by clutching the low tables," Fenric said, a rare, genuine spark of fatherly pride crossing his face. He reached out, his large, calloused hand steadying my elbow as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "Noah is with them in the courtyard. He’s been teaching Raiden how to ’stalk’ the beavers, much to the beavers’ annoyance."

I chuckled. That was so Noah.

"And you, what do you think of your son being taught to be a stalker?" I asked, my voice light and giddy.

"It does not matter. He will become a strong warrior regardless." He said with a genuine fatherly smile. "And even if he doesn’t want to be a warrior, he will not be weak."

True.

​I managed to stand, and to my surprise, my legs didn’t give out. Thalor’s water magic had been a godsend; by supporting my weight for those five days, he’d saved me from the brutal muscle fatigue I’d expected.

​"I need to get out there," I said, grabbing a top and starting to dress up.

"Alright, Arinya,"

​As we walked through the palace, my hand on Fenric for support, the atmosphere was electric. The scent of salt and heat had been replaced by the smell of fresh cedar, roasting meat, and the crisp morning air. When we reached the main hall, I saw them.

​Damar was leaning against a pillar, his emerald eyes snapping to mine with a hunger that hadn’t quite faded, but he stayed back, respecting the space. He looked healthy and pretty handsome regardless. His pale skin was glowing, shimmering even.

​Thalor stood by the window, looking refreshed and absolutely regal. He didn’t say a word, but the slow, elegant bow he gave me was heavy with the secrets of the last five days.

​"The marketplace began construction five days ago, Arinya," Noah called out from the courtyard. Raiden balanced on one side of his hip, and Phina balanced on the other side. And on his neck, her cute, authoritative hand pulling the locks of Noah’s hair was ’Queen Lyra’.

She looked like she had found her favorite spot.

My babies looked so healthy, precious, and adorable. I love them so much.

"The progress is great," Noah said, but I could not pay attention to him since I was so occupied fawning over my babies. But I heard him loud and clear.

The progress for the marketplace seems to be going smoothly. Good to know.

"The ’heavy slate’ is piled high in the cellar, and the sheep and rabbit craftsmen are vibrating with excitement to show you the first pair of boots." He added. "Are you ready to be a Queen today?"

​I looked at my four husbands, then down at the pulsing violet light on my ankle.

​"Of course, I’m ready. Let’s go," I said, but my stomach did a loud, embarrassing growl that even the babies looked at me. My face immediately flushed, and my body trembled. ’I need a hole to hide.’

"Don’t worry, Arinya," Thalor quickly stepped up. "I knew you would be hungry."

It would be even more strange if you didn’t know.

"So I prepared breakfast," he said, his voice smooth and calm. "Breakfast is already waiting in the dining hall."

Thalor offered his arm, a silent invitation to let him help me to the table.

Noah, however, was not nearly as subtle as the merman. He let out a loud, bark-like laugh that made Raiden bounce on his hip.

"Did you hear that, little cubs? Your mother is finally awake, and she’s hungrier than a mountain lion! Better get out of her way before she starts on the table legs."

"Shut up, Noah," I grumbled, though the heat in my face was starting to fade into a reluctant smile. "If you’d been in a pool for six days, you’d be ready to eat the whole palace, too."

I walked toward the table, Fenric and Thalor by my side, feeling like the most well-guarded woman in existence. The babies were indeed bigger—it was terrifying.

Phina, especially, was looking at me with wide, intelligent eyes, her little hands opening and closing as if she were trying to grasp the air. They looked like they’d grown weeks in just a handful of days.

Next, they’ll be calling out my name. Ah, when will I hear them call me mama? Sob.

As I sat down, the spread on the table was enough to make me tear up.

I have always envisioned a bakery-fresh spread, but I can’t have that yet because we were still months away from the first grain harvest, but it was a feast for a survivor.

There was a large bowl of roasted purple tubers, stacks of lean, smoked meat, and a steaming pot of herb-infused broth that smelled of wild ginger and bone marrow.

"You should eat," Damar said, finally stepping away from his pillar. He sat across from me, his emerald eyes tracking my every movement. "You have much to do today, Ari."

"I know, I know. The ’heavy slate’ isn’t going to turn itself into coins, and the rabbits are practically chewing through their ears waiting for my approval on their craftsmanship, right? I’ll get it all done today and see just how far our progress is."