Chapter 26

Liri walked in and then froze. With just her eyes, she looked around the room. There were party streamers hanging from the weapons rack and balloons all over the floor. Pink, blue, and yellow ribbons hung from practice swords, batons, and staffs. She couldn’t help smiling at how ridiculous it looked. Everyone was standing on the other side of the mats.

“Oh, it’s just you.” Daxx waved her over. “Come on, over here.”

She went over and gave Bastian an assessing glance, wondering why he looked so happy. The last they spoke, he was anything but jovial. Abraham was there with his sister. His gaze briefly connected with hers, but she couldn’t make out what the look meant.

“We’re surprising Autumn and Michael with a baby reveal.” Rena rubbed her hand over her protruding belly. “They’re the only ones that don’t know.”

Liri smiled but had no idea what that was. “I thought I was rushing here for a quick strategy before we went back out.”

“Going out earlier was unexpected,” Emil grinned, “but it’s fitting that a baby shower with this family includes leathers and blood. Rena,” he smiled down at his daughter, “wanted to do this so Autumn gets the whole mom experience.”

Before she could answer, Leone came running through the doors. “They’re right behind me,” he jogged over to where they were all gathered, “Autumn is still picking the leaves out of her hair.”

Liri glanced around and saw packages lying on the floor on the other side of the mats. Were they doing a baby shower in the training room? She glanced over to see Nova was there, and she looked like she wanted to laugh. Liri had been to many baby birth parties, but this was most definitely an original one. She looked down and brushed some dirt from the front of her jacket, wondering if she should go out the back door and change. She looked around to see everyone was still in their leather garb, most with weapons still on.

“All I’m saying is…” Autumn stopped at the door and looked from Michael around the room.

“Surprise.” Several of the others yelled, all out of sync.

“It is a surprise.” Autumn looked confused, “what is it?”

“A baby reveal slash baby shower.” Alona went over and motioned for them to come to the chairs that were set up along one side of the mat.

“A what?” Michael led her over and motioned to the chair. He turned and grinned at Daxx, “Shouldn’t I have been included in this?”

Daxx shook her head. “Nope, you men suck at keeping secrets.”

“It’s not our fault that some of our mates can read our thoughts,” Rafael shrugged.

“Or feelings,” King Troy smirked at Alona.

Autumn tugged her hand free from Michael and asked Rena, “How are you feeling?”

Rena rubbed her hand on her belly. “I am ready anytime now.”

Autumn placed her hand on her tummy, “so big now.” She gave her a cautious look. “You should be sitting.”

Rena snorted. “Standing, sitting, lying down, all of it is uncomfortable.”

Autumn nodded. “Sounds like broken ribs.”

Liri put her hand over her mouth so she wouldn’t laugh out loud. “I’ve never been to a reveal,” she glanced at Nova, “what is it?”

Nova shrugged. “I have no idea. I’ve been hiding for seven years.”

“Rena found out the sex of the baby and shared the information with me,” Alona placed a hand on her own swollen belly. “So Daxx and I decided to tell everyone else so we’re able to do a reveal for the mom and dad,” she smiled at Autumn, “and then open gifts.”

“Wait,” Autumn looked around, “we are finding out what the baby is? Right now?” Her eyes were huge. She turned around and looked at her mate. “Right now.”

Michael grinned, went over to her, and wrapped his arm around her. “I thought you didn’t want to know.”

Autumn gave him a blank look. “I didn’t, but now I do.” She nodded and looked around, “so, do you just tell us or what? How does this work?” She shrugged. “I’ve never been to—anything baby.” Her brows furrowed. “I don’t know anything about being a mother.” She looked at Daxx, “I know how you get pregnant and where it comes out—and that part isn’t ever happening with this body.”

Daxx nodded. “Alona wanted to set up the reveal part, but she wasn’t feeling well, so I took over that for her.” She motioned to the target on the wall near the back.

Liri turned and saw that a dark balloon was hanging from it. She bit her lip. They were doing a gender reveal in the training room with the weapons. There was no way she was ever going to give up hanging out and visiting the Alterealm royals. Ever.

“I knew before I knew, but I didn’t tell anyone.” Crissy said and nodded her head quickly, “I didn’t see the balloon,” she looked from Alona to Daxx, “what does the balloon do?”

Alona smirked. “When it’s popped, it will reveal either blue or pink.”

“Pink is for a girl?” Autumn walked over and stopped when she was across from the target.

“Yes.” Rafael followed her over. He was holding Kara’s bow. When he reached her, he turned and looked at Michael, “Come on, Dad, come pop this.”

Michael didn’t hesitate. He went over and took the bow from his brother and nocked the arrow.

“I only brought one arrow,” Kara said with a grin.

“One should do it.” Michael released the arrow, and it hit the target just above the balloon.

“Oh, I’m not doing this all day.” Autumn pulled a knife out of the sheath on the back of Michael’s waist, turning and flicking it at the target.

Liri was shocked when the balloon popped, and pink dust billowed out around it.

Autumn ran toward it and then stopped. “A girl. A girl,” she turned around, ran back to her mate, and launched herself at him. “We’re having a baby girl.”

Michael caught her and hugged her against him. “We’re having a baby—Viola.”

Autumn jumped down and spun around to look at the others, “we’re naming her after his mom,” she frowned, “most of your mom.”

“Viola.” Everyone turned and saw Mitz standing at the door, her hand over her mouth, “how lovely.”

“No tears,” Alona stated, then hugged Chase.

“I’m going to have a baby girl.” Autumn’s voice cracked. She looked over to see Rena, who had gone over and sat in a chair. She sat down beside her, “thank you.” Rena smiled, and Liri couldn’t help seeing the tense expression on her face. “I wanted to call a girl Viola Melody, for the lady that looked out for me when I was on the street. Is that too much?”

Rena shook her head. “I think it’s a lovely name, and I can tell you this little one,” she put a hand on her belly, “is a fighter like her mom.”

Liri hadn’t heard much about the situation other than Rena was giving her child to Autumn and Michael because she wasn’t able to have children. She wasn’t sure who she should talk to about the entire situation, but now was not the time. “At some of the birth parties I’ve been to, the mom-to-be has to wear a crown of ribbons.” She walked over and looked down at the number of presents on the floor.

“If you think you’re putting ribbons on my head, you need to think some more.”

Michael laughed at his mate’s comment, “Are you sure? I think pink ribbons will go nicely with the leaves in your hair and mud on your jacket.”

Autumn looked down, “I should go shower before I touch anything babyish.” She looked panicked.

“I think it’s highly appropriate that the warrior mother is in her leathers for the baby shower.” Mitz came over and handed her a small, wrapped present. “Start with mine, and then I’m going to run and get some refreshments for everyone.”

“Is there ever a time you don’t eat when you’re together?” Bastian went over and sat on the edge of the mat to see what was happening. Several of the brothers laughed, but no one answered.

Liri watched Nova take off her necklace, place it in a pouch, and then tuck it into her pocket. She went over and sat down beside him.

Turning, she looked at Abraham, wishing their conversation hadn’t gone the way it had and that they could sit together as well. He was standing away from everyone and focused solely on his sister.

Curiosity was a flaw for Liri. Her mother and cousins always told her that, but it didn’t stop her from going over to him.

He glanced down at her briefly and then looked back to his sister. “I hope this isn’t too much for her.” He said quietly.

“Being so close to the birthing?” Liri tucked her hands behind her and leaned back against the wall.

“No, she’s more than ready to have the baby and ‘get her body back,’” he made quotes in the air, “I’m talking about how she got pregnant,” he lowered his voice.

Liri looked over at Rena and then slowly back to him. Little pieces of conversations and information she’d overheard since coming over here clicked into place. The one about an island the Alterealm Royals had shut down where women were being forced to— She was on that island.

“Yes.” He didn’t look away from his sister.

“Was the male caught?”

“Yes. He’s in the cells.”

Liri jerked her head back to look at him. “He lives?” She looked over at Prince Arius and then back to Abe, “Why? In Solrelm, if a male forces himself on a woman, his soul is immediately recycled.”

Abe’s mouth quirked, “That’s an interesting way of saying the punishment is death.” He gave her a hard look, “I agree with it though,” he motioned to his sister, “but he was left alive at first so they could test for any genetic disorders, and all of us have been barred from that area of the cells.”

“A what?” Autumn’s boisterous question had them both look over. “A snot sucker, is that what that word means?”

“I think we should go over and witness this,” Liri suggested.

Abe grinned. “Yes.”

When she started to walk over, he put his hand on her arm. “I want to finish our talk when there’s time.”

She looked up at him and then nodded slowly, “Okay.” She glanced at her cousin, “without Bastian and his opinions.”

He released her arm and inclined his head for a second before going toward the others.

Autumn opened the next package.

“Is that a coffee maker?” Leone asked.

Autumn held up the box and glanced at Paisley.

Paisley tilted her head and looked at it. “It’s a Brezza.”

“A what?” Autumn turned it around and looked at the other side of the box. “So, not a coffee machine.”

“It’s a formula dispenser.” Alona was grinning.

“Oh,” Autumn nodded her head slowly, “baby girl has her own brew system already.” She smiled and handed the box to Michael. “We need one in every room.”

Paisley held out another package. “This one is from Abe.”

Abe straightened. He hadn’t had a chance to ask Mitz what she had picked up for him.

Autumn opened it slowly, like she was afraid to rip the paper.

“What did you get her?” Liri leaned close and whispered.

Abe dropped his chin, so he was closer to her ear. “I have no idea.”

Liri leaned back and looked up at him. “Mitz?”

Abe nodded and then shrugged. “I hope it’s something good.”

Liri turned to see Autumn pause and look over at Abraham. “You are the coolest.” Autumn pulled out something black and then turned it around for everyone to see. It was a tiny jacket that looked like it was leather, and on the front of it was a pink symbol that Liri was pretty sure was the emblem on Michael and Autumn’s medallions.

Abe turned and looked at Mitz, who smiled back at him and then continued to watch Autumn unwrap things.

Liri took the time to look around the room. Her family never relaxed and never did anything but have formal dinners and luncheons that served no purpose but to find the right man to align her with. “I don’t think I want to live in Solrelm anymore.” She stated it as quietly as she could.

“I think you can live wherever you want,” Abe responded in a hushed voice.

“Yes.” She needed to find more points and help end the lies. She couldn’t in good conscience abandon all those women in Solrelm to live the bleak existence they had been for so long. Biting her lip, she started at the floor. Step one, talk to Bastian, Trendan, and Aunt Ama about the safe houses being set up. Set two, figure out how to tell her parents she was moving out. Not just the royal suites but the entire realm. That wasn’t going to go well. In Solrelm, she had one purpose. Away from there—the possibilities were endless.