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"Davtian, I would see h the cha one where the servants slept His worry intensified, but he held it in check, trying to cale that bloomed inside Davtian went ahead and opened the door, then warned the Prince back a irl covered herself and stood, cradling the little bundle There was another babe playing by the stool, another girl, but she was a year old and toddling, though she was tiny

"My lord," Myrrha said, surprised at the arrival She gave hihter Your lady said she was to be named Ellowyn She is Ellowyn Den of the milk sickness"

"Let irl as he would a poisonous serpent

She sidled up next to hirit his teeth, keeping his expression guarded She wore a perfu and sweet Her mistress lay dead in the other roorief

"Such a delicate child," the girl said soothingly "Each is a gift She has a special destiny" With a long finger, she ran it down the babe’s nose Little Ellowyn tried to nuzzle it

"Thank you," the Prince said, carefully taking the babe into his arh her eyes were s cheerfully, the look did not match her smile

The Prince stared down at the flawless little face, the pink skin so war the sers that curled and reached As he stared at his daughter, her eyes parted, chalk-gray as most newborns were There was a serious look in her expression, a conteain with pain

"You ant to be near her, while you can," Myrrha said "The invaders have entered Pry-Ree’s borders The king of Comoros hunts you I will be near so that you can see the child often before you return I will keep her safe, leamed like a cobra’s

The Prince looked froht up to hi anger and budding concern

"Leave us," the Prince said to Davtian

"My lord?" the steward asked He never allowed himself to be alone with other women, no matter the circumstance

"Leave us," he repeated

Davtian obeyed, his face betraying his alarm The door shut softly, but it caused the baby to startle