Page 42 of Golden Darkness
Mrkana smiled. “Don’t tease. We are desperate. We don’t even have any alone time.”
Janessa chuckled. “When was she fed last?”
Mrkana blinked. “About half an hour ago.”
“When will she need to eat again?”
Her mate caught on. “Three and a half hours.”
She looked up at Kethen. “Wanna help babysit your niece for three and a half hours?”
He snorted. “We leave in four, but Mrkana, use your time well.”
Mrkana suddenly looked like every mother who wanted to touch her mate again. “The nannies know what to do, the nappies are in the pavilion, and we will be a few minutes away the whole time. My people will offer you refreshments.”
As she spoke, she grabbed her mate’s hand, and they ran to the palace.
Janessa laughed and looked up at Kethen. “So, now we see how you do with babies. Your test begins now.”
He looked at her, and his eyes glowed blue. “I accept your challenge.”
She laughed and walked to the pavilion with the baby in her arms and the monster at her back. She sat and rocked the baby.
“You are very good at that.”
“I had a lot of young cousins. I sometimes wonder if they made it.” She smiled, and the baby closed her bright black eyes, and she snuffled into sleep.
Kethen smiled sadly. “It is hard when those we know and love pass on. It is even worse when we have to live with not knowing.”
She nodded. He sat down next to her and put his arm around her. She leaned her head against him, and in the distance, they heard shouts and groans.
“Making the most of their time, it seems.” Kethen kissed her head.
“I remember family going crazy after a new baby arrived, and they couldn’t find a babysitter.”
“Babysit?”
“Childcare. To sit with an infant.” She smiled. “Like this.”
He stroked the little red cheek with the back of a finger. “Nearly as soft as you.”
She smiled. “Is that her mark coming out on her forehead?”
“It appears to be.”
“Um, what was with Lothanic’s chest. He had fading marks on it.”
“Ah, he got those marks when Mrkana was carrying his child. They are warnings and usually remain localized to the abdomen.” He smiled.
“So, please, tell me that I am not going to get engraved if I get pregnant.”
He shook his head. “You will not get the carved markings. Your markings will just be pigment contributed by the nanites.”
She nodded. “Oh, good. I am always tempted to put a bead on your marks and then get you to shift around so it can travel from one side to the other.”
“I could be persuaded to cooperate with you with certain inducements.” He smiled at her.
She chided, “Don’t talk dirty in front of the baby.”