Silently the night passed and she spent reading reports in front of her. Her neck ached and she leaned back in her chair. Rubbing the muscles loose, she took a deep breath and got to her feet. White lightning pain shot through her head and she caught onto the edge of the desk. Catching her breath, she leaned back against the desk and heard the door open.

Ala and Val approached her and she pushed herself to her feet. Val caught her shoulder and she looked at him.

"I'm okay."

He shook his head and said, "You're going to drive yourself into the ground. Take a break. These reports can wait until tomorrow afternoon."

She shook her head and Ala met her gaze. The two stared at each other and she saw the understanding in the woman's eyes. Slowly she nodded and Val let out a sigh in relief. He released her shoulder and she cleaned up her notes. Turning around, the pain returned in her back and she dropped to her knee.

Ala caught her shoulder and said, "Val, bring the doctor."

He nodded and quickly left the room. She caught the woman's arm and helped her to her feet. Leaning against the desk, she caught her breath and ran her hand over her neck.

"When did the pain start occurring?"

"A few weeks ago."

Ala shook her head and said, "The child could be in danger."

She closed her eyes and said, "He's not."

Slowly she pushed herself off the desk and Ala supported her into her bed chambers. Sitting on her bed, she took a drink of water and let the liquid sooth some of the pain.

Ala sat next to her and asked, "Is it time?"

She met the woman's gaze and said, "I'm sorry."

"I've come to terms with myself."

Ala walked to the door and said, "I was hoping things would have been proven wrong with Alexander, but they weren't."

"He did care and would've gone through with the marriage."

She smirked and said, "I didn't want to. He may have cared, but he belonged to you. You were always stealing his attention from me."

She met the woman's gaze and asked, "When?"

Smiling, Ala sat by her again and said, "Every morning. I would wake and find myself alone. Looking for him, I'd always find him watching you down in the coral with Achilles and some of the guards. Sometimes it would be when we were enjoying a walk together. He'd see you with some of your men and just stare while keeping the conversation going."

She looked down at her hands and said, "I never noticed."

"The way he protected you from my brother, that was when I finally understood. I knew who he wanted and I was just wasting my time."

Ala took her hand and said, "I'm glad I tried though. I would've missed out on knowing you. You are truly a wonderful person."

Closing her eyes, she pulled her hand away and walked over to the window. She ran her hand through her hair and let out sigh.

"I'm not even close to that person you're speaking about."

Ala stared at her and said, "You sacrificed everything for your family. Look at you. You're married to the man who loves you more than anything and you feel the same about him. You're expecting a child. Tell me where you're not wonderful."

She stared out the window. The words meant nothing. The truth to who she was remained a mystery to everyone. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I have too much blood on my hands to be wonderful. Father, Mother, and Jacob."

She looked back at Ala and said, "And it's not going to end."

Ala got to her feet and approached her. She felt the hand on her shoulder and looked out the window. The door opened and Val stepped in. He looked at her and she walked away from the window.

"The doctor is waiting at your desk."

She walked past him and he looked at Ala. The woman shook her head and they followed. She stood at her desk and the doctor rested in her chair.

"You sure that is everything?"

Silently she nodded and the man got to his feet. She walked him to the door and turned the handle. Her vision darkened and the pain sent her to her knees. Val moved to her side and caught her as she collapsed. Holding her head up, he looked up at the doctor and saw the man staring at her.

"Do something!"

He blinked and said, "Get her to the bed chambers."

Ala stepped aside and he carried his sister into the bed chambers. Resting her on the bed, he stepped back and the doctor approached.

"I need time with her, alone."

Ala frowned and asked, "What about the Prince?"

The doctor sighed and said, "Let him rest. I will only wake him if it grows worse."

Val took his sister's hand and said, "She's suffering. I imagine the child is ready."

The doctor exchanged a glance with him and nodded. Ala closed her eyes and Val led her from the room. He stood on the balcony and waited. Ala rested by the desk and stared at the door.

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Sunlight glistened into the room and he opened his eyes. Knowing he was alone, he sat up and walked over to a chair. He slid his boots on and pulled a shirt over his shoulders. Running his hand through his hair, he left the bed chambers and walked over to his desk. Finding everything in order, he looked out onto the balcony and found it empty.

Silently he left the chambers and walked down the hall. The door to her old chambers stood cracked and he stepped inside. He saw Ala leaning against the desk and caught Val leaving the bed chambers. Ala looked at the boy and he rolled his shoulders loose.

He met the boy's gaze and heard, "I was coming to get you."

The words drew him to the door and he stepped into the bed chamber. The doctor stood leaning over the bed and whispering something. Silently he approached the bed and the doctor straightened. Slowly the doctor turned and he saw the bundle in the man's arms. Everything raced to a grinding halt and he stared at the approaching man.

Slowly he felt the baby resting in his arms and he looked down at the little one. Seeing his eyes looking back at him, he looked up at the doctor and saw the smile.

"He was quite a fusser earlier. Had to quiet him down."

"Krystal?"

The doctor gathered his items and said, "Resting. She was almost too tired to deliver."

He watched the doctor leave and slowly looked back at the bed. Silently he approached the side and sat down. She slowly looked up at him and saw him staring down at their child.

"What does his father think?"

Looking down at her, he smirked and said, "I'm speechless."

Slowly he handed the baby to her and kissed her forehead. She caught his hand and he sat next to her.

"Damien Gabriel."

She looked up at him and he kissed her slowly. The baby squirmed and he slowly took him from his mother. Resting the baby in a crib, he walked back to the bed and sat down. His arm slid around her waist and she rested her head on his shoulders.

"Doctor told me how tired you were."

She closed her eyes and said, "Don't start."

He kissed her forehead and said, "I just want you to stay in bed and rest. Our son can wait until you're rested before he gets shown off to the entire world."

The smile escaped her and she looked up at him. He slid his hand through her hair and he kissed her slowly. Slipping to his feet, he let her rest on her side and walked over to the crib. Picking up his son, he walked over to a chair and sat down. Holding the child in his arms, he watched the boy rest and glanced over at her.

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Hearing the call from the coral, he ran onto the balcony and saw the horses. Smiling, he ran back into the room and was caught by his father. Feeling his feet leave the ground, he frowned and met his father's gaze.

"I want to go ride."

Smirking, Alex dropped him into a chair and said, "I can't let you do that until your mother gets back."

Damien smiled and asked, "Don't want her to skin you again?"

He laughed and said, "I can handle your mother. I'm more worried about what she'd do to you."

The boy shook his head and said, "I'm not scared of her."

"I thought I had raised you better."

The two looked to the door and Damien ran over to her. She picked him and he gave her a hug. Slowly she put him on his feet and kissed his forehead.

"Can I go ride now?"

"Make sure you include Emily."

He nodded and ran into the hall. Slowly he got to his feet and she slid her jacket off her shoulders. Silently she walked over to him and he drew her down to him. The kiss was long and welcoming. She met his gaze and he let her up.

"How is Father?"

She sent him an annoyed look and walked over to the table. Picking up a glass of water, she took a sip and he rose to his feet. Silently he approached her and she rested the glass on the table.

She held his gaze and said, "Wanting his son and grandson to come visit for a while."

He drew her into his arms and said, "I'd only stay for a few days."

His lips brushed hers and she sighed, "He just wants his son home."

Shaking his head, he held her gaze and said, "This is our home. I wanted to come here after Damien was born."

She pulled away and asked, "Why? This place is hardly anything compared to your old home."

He drew her back to him and said, "This is where we grew up together. Our childhood was here. I want him to be somewhere that allows him to be a kid. I felt like one whenever I came here with my grandfather. Plus, your home has always been here and I just want you to feel like you're finally at home."

She smiled and drew him down into a long warm kiss. He held her gaze and she slid her arms around his neck. His mouth met hers again and the teasing fire lingered on her lips.

She stared up at him and said, "I am."

He smiled and pulled her back to him. Kissing her slowly, he savored everything about the woman. Distant laughing caught their attention and they walked out onto the balcony. Seeing the children with the horses, he rested his arm around her waist and she rested her head on his shoulder. This was her home and her family was finally back where they belonged, where she belonged.