*POV* Coral Sparks
With Mink and the others gone things had calmed down, and I had the army placed in the forest ready to welcome them back.
I placed my hand on my forehead rubbing my aching brain. The reports and decision-making made me wonder why I ever came back to this kind of life.
The door opened and 2 maids entered holding the twins by the hand. "Your Majesty, we have brought the children." I looked around the large study and nodded toward a rug on the floor in front of the bookshelf.
"Have them play over there." the girls nodded and I sighed. I had forgotten I had told them to bring them here after their nap. 2 minutes later the maids were having a hard time keeping them silent so I stood and walked over to the couch.
Lula and Samuel ran to flop into my lap, it was going to be hard to have them understand I was busy, it would be hard on both me and them.
Dixie had helped me set up a schooling program and play schedule for them with around-the-clock maids watching them.
I ruffed Samuel's hair and smiled. The maids watched in silence, after a couple of minutes I told them to take the children back to the nursery, and they left.
An hour later I woke to someone opening the door, I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep. "What can I do for you?" the guard bowed. "Your Majesty, I have come to tell you his Majesty has been wounded."
I stood my pulse quickening. "Take Me to him!" I commanded as I rushed for the door. When we got to the infirmary, I continued for word. "What happened?" I asked.
When I saw Randall lying on one of the beds with Pip sitting beside him on a chair, I was confused. "Hey Coral, Gramps says he will be fine, his arm is just broken."
"How did that happen?" I asked as I took his hand, sitting on the edge of the bed. "We were just sparing and he tripped." I stared at her. "When did you guys start sparing?!"
She sighed. "A while ago, Randall wanted to be able to fight more efficiently, so I have been training him." Randall squeezed my hand. "It's okay, I will be fine."
I sighed. "Okay, but be more careful." I stood. "Are you able to move to our rooms?" He stood his head. "The doctor said I should stay here at least for tonight." I nodded.
"Okay. I have to get back to the study." I kissed him, before grabbing Pip's arm and pulling her from the room. As we walked down the hall I spoke. "What gave you the idea to train him?"
She shrugged. "He is a warrior where he comes from, but he doesn't know how to fight at all." She fiddled with the strings of her vest. "At least not too well, I only offered, he is the one that decided to continue."
I smiled sadly. "Yeah, it's alright. I forget he is used to high action. I can't exactly expect him to come and be my arm candy and never do anything." Pip laughed.
"He is a great guy, I hope I can find someone like him one day." I hugged her sideways as we continued walking. "Be careful what you wish for, if Mink and the others return with the rest of them, you will have a couple different options."
She squeaked as I pinched her side, pulling away as she stopped in my path. "Do you think it will work out okay?" I frowned. "I hope so." She smiled. "I best get going." Hugging me she left.
I stepped into the study and stopped at the sight of Clay and Andrew. "Coral." I walked to hug Andrew. "What's going on?" I asked.
Clay pulled me down beside me on the couch, Andrew was sitting in front of us on the opposite couch. "Dear, I am growing old, I don't wish to worry you. But I will be heading back to my manor to live out my last days."
I looked at him surprised. "But you." He held up a hand. "Coral, I am sick. I have lived a full life and I am just happy to see you healthy and happy."
Tears fell down my face and he took my hands in his. "I have a feeling you will be the best Queen this world has ever seen."
Hours later I stepped out of the bathroom into the silence of the bedroom, I sighed as I crawled into bed. I couldn't sleep.
Getting dressed I left my room, and found my way out into the garden. A soft snow was falling covering the ground in a skiff of white. I looked up into the darkness sky lit only by the falling of the freezing flakes.
"I hope you find your way." I whispered to the darkness. My mind was on that baby again. His small face wouldn't leave my mind.
I hope he was warm tonight, being held and rocked to sleep in loving arms. "Coral, why are you out this late?" I turned with tears in my eyes to meet Clay's worried expression.
"I…" he wrapped me in his warm embrace. "Coral, we should get you back inside." We started walking. "What are you thinking about?" He asked.
I told him. He heaved a sigh, rubbing my shoulders. "He will be fine. You have a lot to worry about, so let's take one day at a time."
"I just don't want there to be problems because of what Magnur did." He scoffed. "It's too late for that." I knew he must be talking about his missing powers. "Those men said I took their master.. Are there more worlds out there than just Randall's and this one?"
Clay smiled. "I am sure there is, and you don't worry about those men. Everyone here would die for you." That didn't help me relax.
"Are you going to tell me how you and Cassy met?" He blushed, and I grinned. "I am happy for you Clay, she is so beautiful and sweet." He gathered a handful of snow and attempted to make a ball.
"I know." He said quietly. "When they get back, I will personally plan your wedding!" Clay tossed the snow away and dust of his hands. "You don't need to do that Sis, I am not even sure Cassy wants to live her all her life."
I nodded. "I don't blame her, a cute little house atop a hill sounds nicer than a stuffy castle."
He chuckled. "Hopefully a time of peace is in our future." I hugged him. "Thanks for coming to find me." He nodded, kissing the top of my head. "I thought you might be feeling sad after Andrew's news."
I nodded. "That is one of the things weighing on my heart." He took my hand. "I totally understand. It's going to be weird without him watching over us all the time."
I laughed looking back up into the snowy sky, I couldn't have said it any better.