Chapter 26

William opens the door slowly, the light in his eyes brightening the room. His smile is contagious and I smile too.

Sirra places both of the babies in my arms, as I look at them lovingly. "Come and see your children William."

He kneels in front of me, tears pooling in his gorgeous eyes. "You look so beautiful Lily. The way the sun is shining off your hair, the angelic look on your face, just so beautiful."

His hand pulls the blanket from the babe in my right arm, his finger stroking her small cheek.

"William, this is your daughter, Iris." I move my arm so he can take the babe in his hands.

He sits down beside me, Iris fast asleep in his arms. "She looks like you my love." He kisses her forehead as her nose wrinkles. "I loved you before I knew you little one. For so long I dreamed of this day, holding my child in my arms. I never knew love till you Lily. Loving Snow was all I wanted till I knew your love. Eric saved her and you saved me. Heartache and lost is what bounded us together Lily. You were there all along and I was too blind to see it. I'm sorry my love, my eyes are open now. You have given me so much more than any woman should. I have your heart and you have mine, forever."

As he leans in to kiss me, our son begins to cry. I kiss William softly, my tears rolling down my cheeks. "Someone wants to see his father."

William gives me Iris as he takes our son. "A son, like your vision my love. I have a son and a daughter." I watch as he gazes at our son, his eyes dancing. "Lily, I know what his name has to be. Hunter, for Eric. I would have died out there today if he had not saved me, took that arrow for me. Hello Hunter Hammond, my son."

"That is perfect my sweet. Hunter and Iris Hammond. As soon as I'm feeling better we will have their christening. If it pleases you my love, I want Snow and Eric to stand up with us, to take our children and raise them if it be necessary." I feel his hand on my cheek, his smile making my heart leap.

"We can talk of this later. I need to get you in bed and our little ones in their cradles. I do believe my father is busting to see his grandchildren." He places Hunter in his cradle, then Iris. Swooping me up in his arms, he carries me to the bed. Being as gentle as he can, he puts me down.

"I'm sorry I let the Baron's demon horse hurt me. I should have known better William." My abdomen aches, pain still coursing.

"This will be the last time that man hurts anyone I love. I hope it is me that runs him through. I want to send an arrow through his black heart. My sweet Lily, you are well and our little ones are well. That is all I could ask for. I almost went out of my mine with worry when Benjamin came for me. Eric had just been injured and I thought you were dying. I couldn't get my horse to move fast enough. Then I get here and hear your cries, your screams. When Sirra told me you were well I think that is when I began to breathe again." His arms go around me, holding so sweetly and gently.

Hunter starts to cry, his little arms shaking. "William, I think he's hungry. Can you give him to me?"

William lays Hunter in my arms as I drop one side of my gown. William looks as if he blushes as I bear my breast to our babe. He turns slightly, his face beaming with a smile. "I think I'll leave you to feed our son. I need to see how Eric is doing and retrieve my father."

When Hunter is full and changed, I lay him in the bed next to me. Snow comes in, Eric by her side. "Cousin, are you sleeping?"

"No, I'm admiring my children. Come in." I rub Hunters belly as he sleeps peacefully.

My heart breaks as I look at Eric, his left arm settled in a sling. Snow walks around him carefully, giving him a long loving look.

Eric stands at the foot of the bed as Snow picks Iris up from her cradle. "Looks like you were right m'lady, you needed two cradles. So, what do we call the wee ones?"

As if on cue William comes back in the room with his father. "My love are you decent?"

"Yes William and we have company." William ushers his father in, as he gazes at Eric's injured arm.

The two men begin to talk of battles and injuries as I introduce Duke Hammond to his grandchildren.

"William, please tell Eric and Snow what we have named our son." I hold my hand out to him as he sits beside me.

"In honor of the man that saved my life and makes my dearest Snow so very happy, our son's name is Hunter." Eric blushes, shifting from side to side.

"William, are you sure? Wouldn't a family name be better for your little lord?" To see Eric so flustered was quite a sight.

"No my friend, we are sure." William smiles gleefully at Eric whilst Snow puts her arms around his waist gingerly, resting her head on his chest.

William hands Hunter to Eric and Snow, the baby fitting perfectly in Eric large right hand. Eric looks so uncomfortable, the first look of fear I've ever seen on his face.

After a few hours, our guests leave. My eyes become heavy with sleep as William tucks me in. "Sleep love. If the babies wake I will let you know. Clara and I can watch over them while you sleep."

As I close my eyes, I see William on the chaise with Iris in his arms. She looks so small against her father's chest.

My body aches but exhaustion wins, I let sleep claim me. My eyes open to a moonless night, the Dark Forest all around me. I look for the stars but they have gone dim too.

I feel a bow in my hand, one arrow in the other. As I stalk through the forest all manner of creature and demon show themselves to me. I ignore them, my mind set on my prey. "Nickolas, I'm here."

I know he fears me, he knows I bring him his death. I see a flash of grey skin, the image coming from my left. I squat to the ground, readying my bow. I bring my bow up to find Grey is in a large black tree. He smiles down to me, looking pleased with himself.

"You come to kill me but as yet you know not my secret. Be careful Lily, before you lose your grip on the Reaper." His laugh is loud and it echoes at I run through the forest.

Waking I find William lying next to me, Hunter on his chest, Iris in her cradle. I hear my daughter's cry as Clara brings her to me. "She is hungry m'lady. Do you wish for me to find a wet nurse? You need your rest."

"They are my babes, I will care for them." Setting up carefully in the bed, I try not to wake William.

As the babe nurses, I think back to my dream. He has a secret. I would make it my goal to find it out. I will lead the Reaper to his door; he will know the lady of flame has come for him.