A Beast's Tale

Chapter 89

We had slept maybe two hours before Evelyn Rose started crying again. I was still exhausted, but the feel of my wife and my daughter in my arms gave me a boost of energy as I opened my eyes. A few hours ago, I thought I was going to lose both of them, and yet here they were, alive and well. Ivetta was already awake, her green eyes focused on Evelyn Rose, a soft smile on her lips. I kissed her cheek and pulled my arm back when she moved to sit up.

"Good morning, Chevalier," she giggled, giving me a sidelong glance with bright, shining eyes. "Yes, yes, I'm coming, Evelyn Rose," she said soothingly to our fussy baby, scooting to the edge of the bed.

"Wait." I was on my feet and taking her arm to steady her before she could stop me.

"I think I can manage getting out of bed now, Chevalier," she said teasingly.

"You just had a baby, Ivetta," I said firmly. "What do you need?"

She sighed, as if there was anything unreasonable about me wanting to help her when she was too weak to even move a couple of hours ago.

"Well, she probably needs to be changed, and then she'll probably be hungry. I think Lydia left some supplies on your writing desk, so I can handle this myself, but I would love a hot bath afterwards. I feel disgusting."

I led her to the chair, pulling it out for her and kissing her neck as she sat down. "Then I'll draw the bath for you, and I'll have Melanie come to clean up and bring us lunch."

"Lunch? Is it lunchtime already?" she asked, glancing at the clock. "Oh, I guess it will be when I'm done with the bath." She sighed again, and I didn't miss the lingering exhaustion in that sound. "I know everybody will want to see her, but I'm not sure I can manage that today."

"They can wait. You need to rest and recover." I kissed her one more time and left to start the bathwater. I could use a bath, too, but Ivetta came first. A hot bubble bath, a filling lunch, and then she could go back to sleep while I took my turn in the tub, after which I would go back to sleep, too. I didn't care to see anybody today, either.

Ivetta was cooing softly at Evelyn Rose when I left the bathroom and headed for the door. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but the baby wasn't crying anymore, just staring up at her mother's face. I smiled and stepped out into the hallway. Ivetta's guards were at their posts, both of them looking at me expectantly.

"They're fine," I said simply. "Send for Melanie. We'll have lunch in an hour."

Their faces relaxed immediately. "Yes, your highness," Julius said, nodding to the other guard, who turned to go.

I went back into the bedroom. Ivetta was still at my writing desk, now nursing Evelyn Rose. "How are you feeling, little dove?" I asked, walking up behind her and combing my fingers through her hair.

"Tired, weak, sore, disgustingly sticky," she said, leaning her head back to look up at me. "And never happier."

Her bright smile reached up to her tired green eyes, and following the trail of exposed skin down from her neck led my eyes directly to our daughter, contentedly suckling. Ivetta looked back down at her. "She's beautiful, isn't she?" she asked.

"You both are," I replied, pulling her hair back with both hands.

She giggled. "You'd better take the day off, too. The lack of sleep is going to your head."

"I mean it, Ivetta." I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "You're more beautiful now than I've ever seen you."

"If you think I'm beautiful now, wait until we get to the chateau. I'm going to get into that little black dress and blow you away."