"So you're both all right?" my mate asked, pressing his forehead to mine, still reeling from the strange news of the Dark God's gift.

"We are," I said, nodding, sure of it. I shifted, passing the baby to him. "See for yourself, new papa," I sighed, placing the little girl in her father's arms.

On Sinclair's face, and through our bond, I saw his heart melt. "Oh god," he sighed, shaking his head as he stared down at his little girl. "I'm a goner, Ella. This one's already got me in the palm of her hand."

"Don't worry," I sighed, curling up next to him, indulging in the sight of my mate—the one I love most in the world—falling in love with our tiny daughter, as I already had. "I won't tell her the power she wields."

"It will be our secret," he said with a nod and a small smirk. We were quiet for a moment, studying her, when I realized she didn't have a name.

"What do you think?" I asked quietly, resting my head on his shoulder. "Emma? Or Eloise?"

My mate's smile deepened as he looked up at me, and I already knew his answer. Those names were great—but they weren't hers.

"Nah," Sinclair said, grinning at me before turning back to his little girl. "She's totally, completely an Ariel."

"I know," I sighed, tracing a finger down her cheek. "Welcome to the world, Ariel Sinclair. You are already so loved."

Ariel stretched her mouth in a wide yawn before snuggling down in her father's arms, happy and content. Sinclair and I both laughed, and I knew that his heart, like mine, was full. I passed my joy and love down the bond to both of them, and was thrilled when Ariel gave a little tentative pulse of love in return as she adjusted to her new surroundings.

The next hour was busier than I'd liked, with the doctors returning to finish the post-labor procedures and ensure Ariel was healthy. But even while feeding her for the first time, delivering the placenta, showering, and feeling completely exhausted, I couldn't stop smiling and turning towards Ariel, eager to keep my eyes on her.

My baby—my little girl. I was so filled with excitement that she was here, that she was mine. Her whole life lay ahead of her, and I couldn't wait to see her live it.

Once the doctors gave us the final okay (the nurses would be on hand all night), we settled in as a family. Roger entered the room with a tearful Rafe, as Cora finished swaddling Ariel and handed her to Sinclair. Henry wheeled in after Roger with a sleeping Jesse, excitedly looking forward to meeting his first granddaughter.

"Mama!" Rafe shouted, his voice so sad it broke my heart.

"Oh, baby," I murmured, rushing over to Roger and taking my eldest child into my arms. "It's all right, we missed you!"

"It's probably the longest he's been away from your side in months, Ella," Roger murmured, smiling and hugging me as Rafe rested his head against my chest. Henry and Cora drew near, Cora putting her arm around Roger and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Maybe ever," I sighed, shaking my head. He really was my little Velcro baby, almost always with me. But, then again, it wasn't entirely his fault; I could be accused of being an overly attached parent. But I didn't mind. I just liked being around my kids.

"Poor little guy," I murmured, stroking Rafe's head and turning to where Sinclair walked over with the baby. "He missed us."

Rafe sat up, cried a little, and reached for Sinclair, wanting him close too.

"We're sorry, kiddo," Sinclair murmured, smiling at his son and taking Rafe's hand, leaning over to kiss it. "But we were busy! Mom was doing all the work to bring you a new little sister."

Sinclair turned, showing Rafe the baby. Rafe sat up straight to peer at Ariel.

We were all very still for a moment, watching the siblings meet, but suddenly Rafe cried out in disgust, turned his head away, squeezed his eyes shut, and gripped my robe tightly, not wanting to let go.

We all burst out laughing at Rafe's tiny jealousy. I stroked his head, murmuring sweet things as I carried him to our bed (the soiled linens had thankfully been changed). I sighed with gratitude; it was nice to be queen for things like this. I sank down against my pillows, taking Rafe with me and waving to my family to come closer.

"You have to be nice to sissy, Rafe," I whispered as he peered at his father, his curiosity about his baby sister winning out over his jealousy. Sinclair sat down next to me. Henry wheeled closer, handing Jesse to Cora as she and Roger moved near.

I turned Rafe so he could see Sinclair's arms better. Rafe peered at his sister like she was an alien, which made me smile.

"Her name is Ariel," Sinclair whispered to his son. I looked to my other side when I heard Cora gasp. I grinned as she pressed her hand to her chest, her eyes squeezed shut with joy.

"Perfect name," she mouthed to me, and I laughed and nodded, turning back to my son.

"What do you think, little Rafey?" I murmured, rubbing his back while he leaned out to touch his sister. "Will she do?"

Rafe burbled something to Ariel, which made me smile. But the moment his fingers pressed against her cheek, I gasped. Sinclair did too, his eyes meeting mine.

"Did you feel it too?" I breathed, suddenly excited.

"I did," he replied, laughing and nodding. We both whipped our heads back to Rafe, who smiled at his sister for the first time. Ariel squirmed, smacked her lips, and turned her head, clearly getting sleepy.

"Wait, what is it?" Cora asked, leaning over.

"A bond," I said, grinning, "just like with Rafe and Jesse."

"Oh," she said, straightening and looking down at her son.

"Cool," Roger breathed, looking between the babies. "What do you think that means?"

"Still in the dark, brother," Sinclair murmured, peering curiously at Jesse. "Should we"

"Is it too much?" I asked, suddenly anxious, looking down at my baby. "Is it enough to be born and then get a new bond in one day?"

"In this family?" Sinclair asked, his voice dry. "She's going to have to get used to being overwhelmed."

I laughed, nodding. When my mate looked at me, seeking my opinion, I shrugged—because frankly, I was curious too. What could it hurt?

"Come on," Sinclair murmured, placing Ariel on the bed and gesturing for Cora to lay her baby down too. "Let's just give it a try."

Cora laid Jesse next to his cousin, whispering a sweet introduction. As soon as the babies were side-by-side, Jesse blinked, frowned, turned towards Ariel, and then reached for her. I smiled. The bond—so tiny, so faint!—snapped into place, and my grin widened.

"Wow," Sinclair said, shaking his head. "That is amazing. I've never heard of anything like that happening before."

We all laughed as I laid Rafe down next to his tiny cousins, careful to place him next to Jesse. I didn't want my little one to roll over on my baby girl.

"Someone's going to have to fill me in here," Henry murmured, smiling at his grandchildren and looking curiously at his sons and their mates.

"The kids have bonds, Dad," Sinclair said, smiling and running a hand through his hair. "Between each other, separate from us, their parents."

"Really," Henry said, his eyebrows rising. "Well, I knew they were special children. But I wasn't expecting that."

"Have you ever heard of anything like that happening before?" Roger asked, peering down at his father.

"I have…heard of something like it," Henry murmured quietly before looking around at us. "Though it wasn't between siblings and cousins, and I'm not fully sure it applies."

"Really," Sinclair said, looking at his father eagerly, wanting to know more.

The final sentence about book chapter updates was removed as it was unrelated to the passage's content.