As I bathed Hannah, they bathed me. My men were fascinated with my daughter, but they never


    touched her. Christof‘s hand almost brushed her and Damien grabbed him before it happened.


    “Caution,” Damien warned patting Christof’s shoulder.


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    Hannah woke in the water and touched at it as I rubbed her clean.


    “Water, Mama,” she told me sshing the clear liquid with a tiny hand.


    “Yes, Baby Girl, that’s right,” I crooned still amazed she could talk.


    Hannah told me about water in short, choppy sentences for many, many moments. My wonder


    continued to grow. Hernguage was mixed. She spoke both English and Paterian.


    The facts Hannah gave me about water were urate. She could drink it or swim in it. Fish lived in the


    water. The fleint were dangerous. Hannah spoke and spoke until she was being dried off.


    A hair raising howl erupted from her suddenly and she started to squirm. Instinctively, I raised her back


    to my nipple to let her feed. Her tiny hands kneaded my flesh as she sucked and pulled at the breast.


    She dropped back to sleep and my men moved us to the sleeping chamber. My stomach growled


    loudly. My men discussed it and then Bane and Kein bolted out of the room. I Lay back exhausted and


    Laid Hannah beside me in the bed. My eyes started to close and hands gently shook me awake.


    “Nu-reeh said you must eat something before you rest today. She said you are to eat and drink


    frequently,” Damien instructed me. “The child has eaten and may rest.”


    “Yes, Master Damien,” I answered groggily and heughed softly.


    “We are not Masters when it is just us,” he reminded me as they helped me to stand.


    My men wrapped me in a nket for warmth since the main room was cooler than the sleeping room.


    They seemed content to care for me as they always had. I was d to see the birth had not upset them


    too much.


    My feet weren’t steady and I leaned into Damien as I hobbled into the main room. Bane and Kein


    brought back a mountain of food on arge tray. Evan held me and we ate in silence.


    I felt a pang of pride when the pot of spicy cider was produced. The drink was in honor of a great


    happening. My daughter, despite all of my ws, was considered worthy of this distinction. It made me


    happy to know the other women cherished her.


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    It was quiet and peaceful in our Little apartment. I could hear the men bustling around outside the door,


    but no one disturbed us. Despite the pain in my body, I felt more rxed than I had in ages.


    Kein had grabbed a couple of his favorite food and was crunching loudly. He looked to be enjoying the


    treat like he usually did. I watched him curiously and realized I didn’t taste it.


    My thoughts were my own again and I sat upright suddenly. “You aren’t in my head, Evan,” I said.


    “I was never in your head,” he argued and offered me a bite of the thick meat they’d brought.


    I swatted his hand away in frustration.


    “Is your bond all right?” I asked genuinely worried.


    “Yes,” Christof said stroking my arm in aforting gesture, “but when the baby left you we felt our


    bond slip away from you. It didn’t cause us pain and we are fine…” he trailed off.


    “Hannah must have been what bonded you to me…” I said slowly.


    “That is what Nu-reeh told us,” Damien said.