Page 15 of My Eternal Light

Kincaid felt himself blushing. “It’s a recent thing. Do you like it?”

She reached out and touched his cheek. “It’s kinda soft and kinda not.” She thought it over. “I like it, because the bad men don’t have them.”

“Good to hear.”

“Okay kids, listen up,” Aiden called out.

With Gage taking Dane he was able to stand. He saw that both Priest, Brie and Ari we were also now holding infants with toddlers at their side.

Cody raced over and took his free hand.

“My friend Darian here is about to make a bright light shine in the room. It will be like a big door. When it appears, we’ll be going through in small groups. Uhh, can the B’s and A’s each stand with a warrior holding a baby?”

Aiden lifted Aeron and a younger girl pulled him to stand with Kincaid. “This is our baby group,” she said, pointing to Cody and Dillon.

Aiden smiled and nodded.

“Now, there will be a lot and I do mean a lot of people on the other side of this light door. Some will be like our friend Darian here, but remember, they are warriors and are there to protect you, they aren’t like the bad men. But, if you do become afraid, we’ll be with you every step of the way,” Aiden continued.

The children were quiet and nodded.

“Okay Dar,” Aiden pointed to an empty space.

Darian lifted his hand and a golden portal shimmered into view.

When Cody took his hand, Kincaid could feel it trembling. He gave it a squeeze. As they waited their turn.

When it came time for them to file through, Kincaid gave him a small tug. “Come on youngling. If I know my brothers, there will be so much food to be eaten.”

Cody brightened and his step had a bit more bounce.

Together they left the smells of captivity and despair behind them.

*****

“Are you sure this is safe?” Cody asked.

Kincaid stared. “You know, I can see why you’d say that.”

Warriors were racing around with blankets. Anne, Amelia, Cas and Zoe were scooping up the smaller kids and smothering them with affection. The queen and Oron looked positively shell shocked, which of course had Darian and Brennus tending to them. Basically, chaos ensued.

“Cody, I’m about to teach you some magic words,” he whispered.

Cody looked up, eyes bright.

“They work especially well if a squire is about.” He pointed to Cord and Ryuu. “Squires help take care of families.”

“What are the magic words?”

Kincaid grinned. “I think it might be best if you say them.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

Kincaid leaned in and whispered. “Say out loud in the most pitiful voice you can muster, ‘my tummy hurts, I’m hungry’.”

Cody nodded again. With a dramatic sniffle he looked up at him and Kincaid swore the kid conjured tears. “My tummy hurts, I’m hungry!”

“Dear gods, what are we doing?” Cord immediately hurried forward.