Chapter 83

Kathy knelt beside the crib, her damp hair clinging to her cheeks as she reached for her children. Grace, Vanessa, and Seth stepped back, relief washing over their faces as the babies’ cries turned to laughter. Kathy smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude for the simple joy of her children’s smiles.

Anthony watched from the doorway, his eyes softening as he saw Kathy surrounded by their little ones. Frances, Sarah, and Miles lingered nearby, giving the family space but staying close in case they were needed.

Kathy gently wiped away the tears from her babies’ cheeks, whispering soothing words. “It’s all right now. Mommy’s here.” The three babies reached for her, their tiny hands grasping her fingers, and she couldn’t gathered them into her arms due that her clothes and hair is still wet.

For a moment, the chaos and sorrow of the day faded away, replaced by the warmth of family. Anthony joined Kathy, wrapping his arms around her waist. Frances quietly closed the bedroom door, signaling to the others that the family needed privacy.

Outside, the house was still tense, but inside the bedroom, Kathy and Anthony found comfort in each other and their children. Kathy looked up at Anthony, her eyes shining with determination. “We’ll get through this,” she whispered.

Anthony nodded, holding her close. “Together.”

The babies were playing with their toys inside the crib. Kathy left the nursery, which was attached to their bedroom, wanting to take off her wet clothes, soak in the tub, and reflect on what happened while she was unconscious. She filled the tub with warm water, added bubbles from the closet, poured some into the bath, then undressed and stepped in, letting the warmth soothe her body. Anthony came into the bathroom grab a stool and sit next to the tub.

“How are you feeling?” asked Anthony

“To be honest, this power that I have flowing though my body it’s going to be hard if Queen Raine wasn’t here to help me I would lose my life and Maria would take over because she says you won’t never know the difference between us,” said Kathy

Anthony gently raises her chin, gazing at her before leaning into whisper.

Anthony's voice was low and steady, reassuring her. “We can tell by scent like I say before—you smell like applespice and brown sugar. I wouldn’t let us near the children if you did get trapped or your soul couldn’t return into your body. I will never have to marry her and break the bond,” said Anthony. He brushed a damp strand of hair from Kathy’s forehead, his thumb lingering with gentle affection. For a moment, the tension between them eased, replaced by the quiet certainty of his promise.

“I love you,”

“I love you too. You sit in the bath and relax while I watch the babies and give them their bottle,”

“Okay,”

Anthony pulled the door up a little as he headed off to the nursery, quietly preparing bottles for the three babies while Kathy reclined in the tub. As she soaked, the warm water washed over her, and she felt her legs transform once more into her mermaid tail, scales shimmering just beneath the surface. Letting her arms drape over the edge of the tub, Kathy lay her head down, closing her eyes to rest for a moment, the exhaustion from the day settling in.

In the aftermath of the chaos, word of the tragedy that had befallen the woman's family spread quickly. Frances, acting with compassion, took responsibility for their burial expenses, though everyone knew that no amount of money could return lost loved ones. Meanwhile, the palace remained on high alert. A new protocol demanded that all who entered or exited—the newest servants, seasoned guards, even the cooks—sign their names in a ledger by the door, a measure designed to ensure the safety of the royal families and prevent any further harm from befalling them.

Anthony is in the babies' room after giving them their bottle and bumping them before putting the light blanket over their body and leaving out of the room, light closing the door leaving the door crack bit.

“Think we should check on our mate,” said Max

“Yes, I don’t see her in the bedroom, she must be still in the bath and sleeping,”

Anthony quietly enters the bathroom, pausing as he spots Kathy sleeping, her head resting gently on the edge of the tub. His eyes widen when he notices her shimmering mermaid tail, its iridescent scales glinting beneath the water. Concerned, he moves closer and checks the water, finding it cold to the touch. With a delicate curiosity, he reaches out and lightly traces his fingers over her tail, marveling at its vibrant colors swirling underwater. Suddenly, Maria stirs—her eyes fluttering open as she catches Anthony admiring her tail. With a playful grin, she shifts her tail and flicks it, sending a light splash of water across Anthony's shirt. He laughs softly, surprised by her mischievous spirit, and the moment fills the room with warmth and affection.

Anthony chuckled, brushing a damp lock of hair from his forehead. “I think it’s time for you to get out of the tub. The water is cold,” he said, his tone gentle but insistent. Kathy blinked sleepily at him, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she stretched her tail once more beneath the water. She nodded, appreciating his concern, and slowly began to shift herself upright, preparing to climb out with his help.

Anthony grabs some towels and puts them on the floor before helping her out of the bath, but got some heavy towel once he picks her up and puts on her the towel then used the other towel to dry her off. While Kathy is drying off her hair with the towel while her tail is getting dry off.

Anthony paused, considering the question while gently patting Kathy's tail dry. “It’s been a while, honestly,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “Between the babies and everything happening at the palace, I haven’t had much time. Maybe I should let him out, let him stretch his legs.”

Kathy's legs turn back to normal and she stays up naked in front of Anthony, whose shirt is wet so she grabs a clean towel and wraps around her body. As she let the water out of the tub, she felt Anthony start to touch hips under the towel.

"My love, I am still in the process of healing. When you return, I will be in bed, asleep. I figure Miles and Sarah are likely waiting for you too.”

“I will be back soon,”

Kathy gathered all the towels from the bathroom floor, bundling them into the laundry basket before slipping quietly into the bedroom. She reached for one of Anthony's oversized shirts, pulling it over her head and relishing the comforting warmth and familiar scent. Settling into the bed, she tucked herself under the covers just as Anthony leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. With a soft smile, he slipped out of the bedroom, close the behind him.