Exiled Read online

  “And I had the baby,” Olivia whispered. “I can’t believe it.”

  “You only had the last minute and a half, Lilenta,” Baird disagreed in his deep, rumbling voice. “I was the one who went through hours of labor in order to push the little guy out in the first place.”

  “Let’s just call it a team effort.” Sophia looked down at the baby in her arms. “Look at all that black hair on his teeny little head!” She smiled at her sister ecstatically. “He’s gorgeous but do I, uh, cut the cord now or what?”

  “I’ll do that.” Sylvan came into the room at a run. “Is everything all right? I missed the birth.”

  “Only by a second or two.” Liv laughed in relief. “God, I can’t believe we’re all finally back in our right bodies!” She watched anxiously as Sylvan took the baby from Sophia. “Is he all right?”

  “I think so.” Sylvan cut the cord and checked him out thoroughly. The baby objected to this treatment with a howl of indignation, which made Sylvan smile. “There’s certainly nothing wrong with his lungs, anyway.” He cleaned the infant up and wrapped him in a warm white towel before handing him gently to Olivia. “Here you are, mate of my kin—your first born son. Have you thought of a name?”

  “Baird Junior,” Liv said at the same time Baird said,

  “Daniel.”

  They both looked at each other, frowning.

  “But I thought we said we’d name him after you,” Olivia said.

  “No, we said we’d name him after your father.” Baird frowned. “Anyway, I should get to pick. I went through days of misery and hours of labor to get him here.”

  Olivia arched one eyebrow at him. “And you think just because you did a few days in my body you get to have naming rights? What about the months of misery I spent carrying him to term?”

  “Olivia, Baird…” Sylvan held out his hands for peace. “Why not Daniel Baird?” he said, when he had their attention. “That way you both get what you want.”

  “Well…” Olivia turned her attention to the red-faced baby who had stopped crying almost as soon as he was placed in her arms. “I guess he does look a little like a Danny.”

  “He’s beautiful,” Sophia cooed, leaning over to look at her nephew. “Now I can’t wait until mine come out. If they’re half as cute as little Danny here I’ll be over the moon.”

  “They’ll be beautiful, Talana,” Sylvan assured her, putting an arm around her and squeezing. “Because they’re going to look like you.”

  “And you.” She smiled up at him. “We’re having twins so we get double the joy—don’t forget.”

  “My darling,” Sylvan said solemnly. “I honestly don’t mind if you have a dozen, as long as I don’t have to give birth to them.” He shook his head. “If I’m never pregnant again it will be too soon. I’m so glad to be me again—I can finally think.”

  “Oh?” There was a dangerous glint in Sophia’s green eyes. “And what exactly are you thinking right now, dear husband?”

  “I’m thinking…” Sylvan took a deep breath. “I’m thinking what a beautiful, brave female you are and how lucky I am to have you as the mother of my children.”

  “All right then.” Sophia nodded. “Just keep thinking that way.”

  “Nice save, Brother,” Baird murmured, coming up to clap Sylvan on the back.

  Sylvan grinned at him. “It’s the truth, you know. Spending time in my mate’s body has given me a whole new perspective.”

  “Don’t talk to me about perspective.” Baird shivered. “I’ve had as much of that as I can stand.”

  “I hear you, Brother,” Sylvan agreed wholeheartedly. Then he looked at Sophia. “Guess what, Talana? I finally remember where I put your chewy shoes.”

  She frowned. “My what?”

  “You know…” Sylvan frowned. “The ones with the heels and the little red bows? I remember where I kicked them off at.”

  “Oh, my Jimmy Choos!” Sophia laughed. “That’s great, honey, but those heels are really too high. I won’t want to wear them again until after the babies are born.”

  “That’s good.” Sylvan sighed. “It’ll give me time to get you a new pair.”

  “What? But I thought you said you remembered where you put them!”

  “I do.” Sylvan looked sheepish. “I got so mad at how much they hurt my feet I pushed them down the incinerator chute.”

  “You what?” Sophia demanded. “I…you…”

  Before she could get any further, Baird started laughing. Olivia joined him and soon even Sophia had to laugh too.

  “All right,” she said at last, giving her husband a hug. “I’ll forgive you this time, Sylvan. But don’t ever borrow my shoes again.”

  “Talana,” he said seriously. “I think I can safely promise you I never, ever will.”

  * * * * *

  “Oh, it’s you! You’re back!” Lauren slid the door to her suite all the way open and embraced her sister excitedly. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t make it,” she whispered, hugging the other girl to her tightly. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

  “I promised I’d come back,” L reminded her, smiling. “Are you going to leave me standing out here in the hallway?”

  “Of course not. Come in, come in!” Lauren ushered her into the suite where Xairn was standing there, smiling at his new sister-in-law uncertainly.

  “Um…” He cleared his throat. “I guess we’ve never really be introduced.”

  “You mean since the time you sniffed me out on O’ah? Or the dreams I sent?” L held out a hand.

  “Well…yes.” Xairn took her hand and shook it hesitantly.

  “I’m sorry about those, by the way,” L said shortly. “I’m sorry for a lot of things.”

  “We have all done things we regret,” he said gravely. “I accept your apology.”

  “Good!" Lauren exclaimed. “So there won’t be any awkwardness between us. Because I want you to stay here, all right?” She smiled at L. “At least for a while until you get your own suite. And tomorrow we’re going to go down to Earth to meet Mom.”

  L bit her lip. “I can’t wait. But…are you sure she’ll want to meet me?”

  “I explained everything to her—well, mostly. All except the big secret you said you’d reveal when you got back. You know, the reason we had such an instant connection?” Lauren raised her eyebrows, obviously waiting for an answer.

  “Oh, that.” L smiled. “Well, you see…”

  She told her sister about having the soul of her twin, the soul of the baby who had been lost at Lauren’s birth. What she didn’t tell was the fact that she’d given half of that soul to Draven. Or that she had promised to go back to him and complete their bond.

  It can wait, she told herself, even as Lauren gushed over their shared relationship and the fact that she had even better news to tell their mother. It can wait until later. She’s so happy now, I don’t want to spoil things for her…

  Chapter Thirty-two

  “What’s this I hear about you being suicidal, doll?” Kat put an arm around Lissa’s shoulders and led her gently away from the other girls who were cooing over Olivia’s new baby. They were in Lauren’s suite—well, Lauren’s and L’s, who had quickly become a part of their little circle in the weeks since she had returned.

  “What?” Lissa looked at Kat, frowning. “I…I’m not suicidal. Who told you that?”

  “Sylvan did when he said you offered to strap a bomb to yourself and press the trigger once you got within exploding distance of Draven.” Kat frowned and steered her into the food prep area. “Come on in here. I can always say I’m testing the new cupcakes Lauren made for me to taste so I could choose what I want for my wedding cake.”

  Lauren looked blankly at the luscious rows of frosted mini-cakes that were Lauren’s specialty. There appeared to be every flavor imaginable and she was sure they were all delicious, but she had no urge to try any of them.

  “Well?” Kat said, nudging her with an elbow.