SINS OF THE FATHER

EPILOGUE

Danae was lying on an ebony bed. The sheets were drenched in her sweat. Her body was at the prime of its youth and her belly was beautifully swollen. She growled the pain away, her fingers fisting the sheets.

The pain of her contractions came and went like the waves of the ocean guided by the summer breeze. Time slipped away from her during the agony of her labor.

It was not her first birth. Her three sons and her daughter stood currently outside her bed chamber, being entertained by their grandparents as she labored.

Her mother, who was a healer and had assisted in all of her previous births, was somehow horrified at Danae's curses.

The moment the child spilled out of her in a rush of blood and gore, Danae felt immense relief. Her mate leaned closer, placing a kiss on her temple. "You did so well, I am so very proud of you."

The child released a small cry as it was placed in her arms. Danae glimpsed a tiny body, bloodied, its nose scrunched up in despair at the cold air.

"It's a girl." Her mother exclaimed.

Feyre, who had been in the room, let out a delightful laugh. "Excellent, we do need more girls in this family."

Danae smiled at her daughter. The child was a tiny thing with barely any hairs on the top of her head. Her legs were as thin as fish bones. She would have thought it unhealthy, had her daughter not opened her eyes and looked straight at Danae.

Nyx gasped softly beside her as they beheld the babe, its small nose and rose bud lips. Her daughter's cheeks were soft and round.

The door softly opened, her father's head poked in curiously. He raised an eyebrow at his wife, who ushered him in.

Her oldest son followed closely, keeping pace with his grandfather. Jace's wings were tucked in casually. The two younger boys burst into the room and were herded towards their mother by Feyre who kept reminding them to be careful with your mother.

Rhysand entered the room at last. He held Rosalyn in his arms. Her golden head gently resting on her grandfather's shoulder. Her daughter looked curiously at her, then at her father who held out his arms.

Rhysand placed the little girl in Nyx' arms, and leaned over to glance at the newest addition to their family. He looked at his youngest grandchild with such love and stars in his eyes.

"Does she have a name yet?" Tamlin asked, an affectionate arm around Jace's shoulders.

Danae smiled widely, "Her name is Kore."

Rhysand sucked in a quiet breath, and Feyre stepped up to him, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

It wasn't unlike her own father's reaction when he'd heard Rosalyn's name for the first time. It was his mother's name. Danae was determined to mend her family's wounds in the only way she knew how. Through love.

"A gift," Nyx said, gazing down at the sleeping baby in her arms, "All of it."