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The last of their subjects filtered out of the throne room, ushered by Kieren. It had been a long day of holding court, especially with the fatigue Poppy had started suffering as a result of the pregnancy. She was just a few months in, the bump between her hips only noticeable when she was naked. A state Casteel kept her in near constantly when they were in their chambers...
She yawned, slumping in her throne, then looked over at Casteel who sat in his matching seat.
He was staring at her with a sympathetic smile. “We can tell Kieren another day if you’re too tired.”
Poppy didn’t even consider the idea, shaking her head and reaching for Casteel’s hand. He took it, intertwining their fingers.
“I have a feeling I’m going to be in a near constant state of exhaustion for a while, so now is as good of a time as any.” She let her free hand fall over her stomach. “Besides, we can’t keep it to ourselves much longer. You said he would likely scent it soon. And he is our personal guard.”
“Very well,” he said, squeezing her hand tenderly. “Don’t forget he’s also the g-“
“Talking about me?” Kieren said, approaching the dais where their thrones sat.
Poppy and Casteel turned their attention from each other to the head of the Royal guard, clamping their mouths shut. He looked between the two of them, icy eyes narrowed. Poppy felt her heart pound a little quicker under the scrutiny of his stare. The wolven missed nothing.
“You both have been acting strange since you got back from the cabin,” Kieren muttered with an arched brow. “Am I being demoted?”
Poppy glanced at Casteel out of the corner of her eye. He wore a half smile, one of his dimples apparent, with an elbow propped up on the arm of his chair, his chin resting in his palm. She would allow him this honor. After all, he’d been near bursting with the news for the past week.
“The opposite actually,” Casteel murmured, eyes dancing. “We’d like to promote you.”
Kieren snorted. “And what is higher than Head of the Royal Guard, Personal Protector of the King and Queen of Atlantia?”
Casteel waited a beat, ever the one for theatrics, then simply said: “Godfather.”
Poppy watched Kieren carefully. He’d gone rigid, hands clasped behind his back. Beside her, Cas laughed softly.
A muscle in Kieren’s jaw feathered. “Come again.”
“I said that we are promoting you to godfather. ”
The wolven’s eyes floated from Casteel to Poppy’s hand that cupped the small mound beneath her bodice. When he met her gaze she offered a nod.
The edges of Kieren’s lips turned up just barely and he opened his mouth to speak. His expression quickly became serious as he dropped to one knee, crossing a fist over his chest. Poppy sat up straighter, her brows shot up. She heard Casteel rumble with quiet laughter.
His head bowed, Kieren spoke hoarsely: “I swear to serve and guard the crown’s kin to my dying breath - I accept this honor and promise my protection to the heir of the throne and any future sons or daughters as long as I live. May your legacies be long and many, my King and Queen.”
Poppy glanced from Kieren to Casteel who rolled his eyes, smiling.
“Well, I would like to thank my Royal Guard for promising to uphold his pledge,” Cas said, releasing Poppy’s hand and leaning forward, forearms on his knees. “But what does my brother say to being a godfather?”
When Kieren looked up his eyes were shining, a smile on his lips. Poppy gasped softly. She’d never seen the wolven so… laid bare.
He pushed to stand and approached the throne, “Of course.”
Casteel was off his throne in the blink of an eye and the two embraced.
Poppy couldn’t make out what Kieren murmured to Cas, but her husband laughed. She smiled fondly at them, happy to watch. When they pulled apart, Kieren’s hand was clasped firmly on Casteel’s soldier, his other hand wiping a stray tear off his cheek.
He sniffed. “Deceive the Maiden, kidnap her, and use her to bargain, was it?”
Cas laughed again, running his fingers through his hair. “No, it was to deceive her, fall in love with her, marry her, then have a child with her.”
“My mistake then,” the wolven grinned. He cleared his throat and looked to Poppy with a raised brow. “Does this promotion mean I’m no longer your personal guard then?”
She stood from her throne, joining them at the foot of the dais. “I’m afraid it’s less of a promotion and more new duties to add to your list.”
His hand fell from Casteel’s shoulder and he looked between the two of them, then at Poppy’s stomach. “May I?”
Cas turned to Poppy.
She took Kieren’s hand and guided it to the small lump, his palm fitting over it perfectly. He released a tearful laugh, shaking his head. Slowly, he dropped his hand and blinked back the wetness in his eyes. Casteel’s fingers found Poppy’s and he pulled her to his side, gently.
“I don’t know that Atlantia’s sentinels are equipped to handle another Poppy or Casteel,” Kieren said gruffly.
“We’re counting on you to ensure that they can,” Poppy countered. “Besides, they’ll never do anything wrong ever.”
“Yes, never,” affirmed Cas.
There was silence between the three of them, each trying to commit this moment to memory. To remember the warmth radiating from all of them. Personally, Poppy did not want to forget the feelings she could taste from them. Chocolate, berries, vanilla, honey.
Then she yawned hugely.
“I’m sorry, are we boring you with our happiness, Poppy?” Kieran scoffed.
She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “No, I’m just tired. Always now.”
“Too tired to bother me with questions?”
Poppy smirked. “What do you mean?”
Casteel laughed, snaking his arm around her waist, his other hand coming to rest over her abdomen. “In all seriousness though, let’s have you take a quick nap before lunch.”
“I don’t need a nap.”
“You need a nap,” Kieren insisted, brows drawing together. “As godfather, I insist.”
Poppy looked between the two of them, both staring at her intently. They were going to be like this the whole pregnancy.
She exhaled laboriously. “Fine, fine.”
“Oh, poor Poppy has to take a nap,” drawled Kieran.
She swatted the wolven’s arm. “Well, you have to walk me back to my chambers, so let’s be off then.”
The three started down the long carpet towards the tall exit doors of the throne room.
“How long do I have to prepare?” Kieren asked, glancing over his shoulder at them.
“About nine months,” Cas replied.
Poppy noted the way he held his chin high, a smile lighting his golden eyes. Her cheeks flushed.
“That’s not too long.”
Cas groaned. “It’s practically a lifetime. What are you talking about?”
“Gods, Poppy,” Kieren grumbled, shaking his head. “He’s already obsessed with them.”
Though she snorted, she was endeared beyond measure. “You have no idea.”