Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

86

One Week Later

"Welcome home!" 

Carmin and Dan laughed as they entered the living room of the Forest House, finally allowed back after a week in the hospital. It was decorated with fae lights and a floating 'welcome home' banner. The table was filled with a variety of drinks and small nibbles for the large group. Surrounding it were boxes of presents. 

"We told you 'no baby shower'," Dan said, still unable to hide his smile at the effort.

Carmin nudged her husband with her hip. "Because they ever listen to us?"

Hathor, Imogene, and Maddie gathered around the new mother, cooing at the baby boy in her arms. He was a tiny thing, a mop of deep brown hair on his head and wide orange eyes. Translucent black wings were wrapped around his red-tinged body. He grabbed one of Imogene's fingers with a surprisingly tight grip and shoved it into his mouth. 

"Have you decided on a name?" Nikki asked from where she sat on one of the lounges beside Leo, arm around his shoulders. 

Carmin glanced affectionately down at her son. "Blaze."

"Blaze Yzuka," Amneris said thoughtfully. She nodded. "Nice name."

Hathor tickled the boy's stomach. "Hello, Blaze." She looked up at Amneris. "Does this mean I have a brother now?"

Amneris and Colt exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. When they turned back, Amneris shrugged. "Not my kid. Not my call."

"I'm sure he would love to have a big sister," Dan said, helping Carmin sit. 

Jay gasped in outrage. "I thought I was her brother!" 

"Blaze can be my little brother." Hathor stuck her tongue out at Jay. "No one could replace you."

"And don't you forget it!" 

* * * * * * * *

Food and drinks were consumed, a variety of conversations had passed, and gifts were given to the new parents and their baby. Almost an hour had passed when Amneris and Colt were pulled to the side by Carmin and Dan.

The four stood in the hallway outside the living room. 

"What did you want to talk about," Amneris asked as Carmin passed her the baby. He nuzzled into her immediately. 

Carmin and Dan glanced at each other, then back at the pair.

"I know we are immortals, so it's probably a strange request," Carmin said slowly. "But we would like you to be Blaze's god parents."

Amneris' head shot up from where she had been looking down at the boy in her arms. "God parents?" she said with uncertainty. "Why would you want us to be-"

"Who better?" Dan said in answer. 

Colt placed his hands on Amneris' shoulders, squeezing gently. She smiled up at him. "We would be honoured." 

Carmin took Blaze back with a grin, the boy putting up a fight though ultimately accepting it. "Was worried for a moment that you would say 'no'! We didn't exactly have a backup plan."

"You may be my Court, but you're also my family." Amneris leaned down to press a kiss to Blaze's forehead. "All of you." 

Arm around his wife's waist, Dan smiled mischievously. "You know, I think you're the only one who didn't give us a gift." 

Amneris winked at her Strategist. "It's not exactly something I could wrap up." 

* * * * * * * *

Everyone had long since left by the time Amneris, Carmin - Blaze in her arms - and Dan stepped out of a portal to Voliabyi. They stood before a house carved into volcanic stone at the far end of a street, a stream of lava running to the side. 

Amneris produced a key, unlocked the door, and held it open for the others to enter. Once inside, she led them down the hallway to the large living-and-kitchen area, fully furnished and ready for use. Large windows at the far end of the room gave an incredible view above the City of Fire and over the lava lakes. A door to the side opened to a small balcony. Carmin and Dan looked around in wonder.

Amneris leaned against the kitchen bench. "Living and kitchen area plus balcony with incredible view. Two bedrooms down the hall. Ensuite on the master and a second bathroom closer to the second. Two studies, a mini-library, and spare room to do whatever the hell you want with. Oh, and furniture comes with, though feel free to replace anything you don't like." She shrugged. "As much as I love having you two around, I thought you might like somewhere for the three of you to be, well, the three of you." 

"You bought us a house . . ." Carmin said in awe. 

"Yep." 

"How much . . ."

"Oh, let's not go there." Amneris rubbed her fingers together with a knowing smile. "Well within my price range." She stood properly. "I thought you'd enjoy having a place where you would be . . . less crowded." 

Carmin whimpered. She handed Blaze to an awed Dan and threw her arms around Amneris. "You're amazing, Amneris. I don't say it often enough but it's true." 

Amneris squeezed her friend tight, cautious of her wings. "You're welcome." 

They pulled apart, if only slightly.

"You're always welcome at home and the Palace. I'd never even consider kicking you out." Amneris smiled. "And never be afraid to call if you're here and need help with anything." 

"We won't even hesitate." Dan kissed her cheek. "Thank you." 

"So," Amneris started, "did you want to stay here or . . ."

Carmin and Dan said, "Home."

Amneris bowed low. "Your wish is my command." 

A snap of her fingers had the portal reopening and the front door locking. 

* * * * * * * *

Returning to the forest house, Amneris bid them goodnight and returned to her own room. Opening the door, she stretched her arms above her head and yawned. She didn't need to turn the light on to see. Her now-natural glow did that enough for her. A snap of her fingers had her changing into her usual night clothes as she wandered into the bathroom.

She ran her fingers through her girls with a sigh, her power braiding it better than she ever could. For a moment, Amneris simply stared at herself in the mirror. At her new body. It would take some getting used to. The new feel, the look, the markings twisting around her waist, left shoulder, arm and neck. She sighed. These things could be looked into further at another time.

Amneris reached the bed and snorted. Colt had taken up the entire thing at some point. Part of her wanted to let him sleep. She may have been tired but she wasn't that tired. Hell, she'd been awake for the entire week! The rest of her . . . 

Amneris nudged him. "You need to move over."

Colt murmured something that sounded an awful lot like, "You move over."

Laughing quietly, Amneris nudged him across the bed and climbed in. Colt's arms wrapped around her immediately, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck. Comfortable once again, he fell back asleep seconds later. 

Amneris sighed, leaning into his warmth. But she couldn't fall asleep. While the last week had been relatively uneventful, she couldn't shake the images of her future. Of the path she'd been set on after absorbing the Weapon. There was no avoiding it now. She knew what was coming.

As though sensing her thoughts despite sleeping, Colt held her tighter. Amneris couldn't help her smile at the gesture. She snuggled against Colt, closing her eyes. Taking a breath, her mind cleared for the first time since returning from Atlantis. 

Besides, there were billions of years - billions of billions of years - before having to worry about what was to come. What she saw when Hathor blasted her through time . . .