Prince of Lies

Chapter 21

Haruto sighed, reaching out a hand to his baby daughter as she stirred beside him in his bed.

Although Nyix had once seemed to be an altogether normal baby, Haruto had noticed that she actually wasn't babbling as much as he thought babies did. She didn't make eye contact, and when she wanted something, she tended to simply point.

Just another thing that had changed since Haruto's mother died.

"Sweetheart, come here." Haruto said softly, holding out his arms.

No response. No turn of the head or any kind of acknowledgment.

"Nyix."

She ignored him.

Or maybe she wasn't ignoring him.

"Can you not hear me?" Haruto murmured, rolling over and gently pulling her towards him so she was looking at him.

Only then did Nyix smile, and reach out for Haruto's face gleefully.

"That's okay." He decided, because seeing his daughter's smile outshined her silence.

"I can't wait for Jace to come home. You can call him dad." Haruto made sure the baby was facing him. "Dad" he repeated, making the sign with his hand, and then making Nyix's little hand do the same. "I'm Baba. Or mama. I don't care. What's easier?"

Nyix made the sign for "mama".

"Mama it is then." Haruto patted her hair. "I can't wait for dada to come home."

It may be useless, speaking to her. But Haruto didn't care, signing along as he spoke.

"Dada's so strong." He continued. "So is grandpa. Both your grandpas. They're going to love you so much."

Nyix cooed, and pulled on his chin before rolling completely into his arms.

"Time to get up." Haruto said to himself, then called outside. "Chaol?"

His cousin entered, even more quiet than usual. He went about his new jobs immediately- selecting Haruto's outfit, bringing it to him, and then, once Haruto dressed himself, lifted him into his chair.

Nyix crawled into Haruto's lap almost automatically.

"Our sentries spotted a lone horseman at full gallop towards the castle. Your mail came quick."

"Are we sure it's the mail?" Haruto asked as Chaol pushed him down the hall.

"No."

Haruto had a sudden feeling in his chest, in his heart.

"Take me to the stables."

"What?"

"No, wait. Take Nyix to Rae or her aunts. And then take me to the stables."

Chaol just nodded, and picked up the princess, who whimpered as she left her father's arms, but then resignedly clung to Chaol's shirt.

And Haruto began the trek alone, as far as the first set of stairs. Then he waited for Chaol and a guard to carry him and his chair, respectively. At least there had been a ramp installed outside.

As Chaol strapped Haruto back in, a familiar whinny split the air and Haruto's head shot up. Hardly waiting for Chaol to move out of the way of his wheels, he surged himself forward, heading to the stables as quickly as he could.

"Jace!"

His husband leapt all the way off of his horse, and ran for Haruto , stooping down at the last moment and throwing his arms around Haruto .