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They took the young to her new home on the backs of warhorses

The faes away, and Darius and Tohr the birth fully weaponed, aware of all the ways they could be stopped en route When they got to the cottage they sought, it was not unlike Darius&039;s oith a thatched roof and wallstrees offered protection frooats and sheep andabout in paddocks

The household even had a doggen, as Darius had learned the previous evening when he had come to reach out to this modest but prosperous family Of course, he had not been introduced to the fe and he and her male had spoken of the private matter on the front stoop

As he and Tohrment pulled up on their reins, the horses clattered to a halt and refused to stay still Indeed, the , not patience, and after Darius dised to subdue both anith of shoulder

Every mile they had covered on the way to this end, Darius had second- guessed the choice, but now that they had arrived, he knew this here the infant needed to be

He approached the door with his precious cargo, and it was the master of the house who opened the stout portal The ht, but it was not joy that made them so Indeed, an all too familiar loss had struck this household of virtue--which was how Darius had found them

Vampires kept in contact o&039;er hill and dale in the sa

Darius bowed to the gentles on this cold night"

"Greetings, sire" The male bowed very low, and as he rose, his kind stare went to the tiny bundle " &039;Tis getting warmer anon, however"

"Indeed" Darius unfolded the top of the swaddling blanket and looked once ray eyes, stared back at him "Do you care to inspect her first?"

His voice broke, for he wanted no judg, now or ever--and indeed he had done his best to ensure that Verily, he had not shared the circumstances of her conception with the male How could he? Who would then take her? And as she lacked the conspicuous traits of her other half, no one would ever know

"I shall need no inspection" The gentle to fill my shellan &039;s empty arms You have said she is healthy; that is all that we care about"

Darius exhaled a breath he wasn&039;t aware he&039;d been holding and continued to stare down upon the babe

"Are you sure you wish to give her up?" the gentlelanced back at Tohrment The male&039;s eyes burned as he looked over fro stallion, his warrior&039;s body clad in black leather hides, his weapons strapped upon his chest and saddle, his appearance a harbinger of war and death and blood spilled

Darius are he presented a sientlemale and cleared his throat "Would you permit me one license?"

"Yes, sire Please take any you shall require"

"I I should wish to ientleain "That would be a esture"

Darius looked over the shoulder of the civilian to the cottage door that had been closed against the chill Inside, so, one who had lost her young upon the birthing bed

For truth, he knew so of that dark void&039;s vast shadow as he prepared to give as in his ar a part of his heart when he rode off frolen and this broken fa deserved the love that awaited her herein

Darius&039;s voice rang out, pronouncing, "She shall be called Xhexania"

The gentlemale bowed anew " &039;Blessed one&039; Yes, that suits her beautifully"

There was a long pause during which Darius resuelic face He knew not when he would see her again This family was her o; she needed not tarriors o&039;erseeing her--and better that they not intrude Two fighters visiting this quiet locale regularly? Questions er the secret that had to surround her conception and birth

To protect her, he must disappear from her life to ensure she was raised as a norentlemale asked meekly "Are you sure you wish to do this?"