Jude talked about her life as a bird of prey. How she and the others had been around longer than most people. She thought about the times they’d found castle keeps in worse shape than barns, the people living there all but dead from starvation and illness. The kings of such realms would have so much food in their larders, most of it rotted. Instead of feeding their people, they’d let it go bad.
“Dante wasn’t perfect, but to us, she wasn’t far from it. Her people were very loyal to her. She kept them safe from intruders. There was always plenty of food and meat to go around. Even we—her birds, she called us—had plenty to eat and a place to perch.” Jude thought of the man who had wedded her, the person who had made her his queen. “I don’t remember him, the old king. I suppose he was there while I was nothing more than a bird looking for my next meal. But I saw the people and remembered how there was barely enough for them to eat, much less us. Duncan is his child. Thankfully, from all that was said about the king, Duncan is nothing like him. I love him. Duncan, I mean. He’s the best parts of his mother and a good man.”
She knew Abe had fallen asleep. Jude could well imagine the child hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time. Without the help of Tracy, she was sure the little boy would have perished long ago.
Jude wondered if Tracy had been abused as Abe had. She did think about looking to see. The answer would have been right there in her mind for Jude to look into. However, she decided to wait for the girl to tell her. If it became an issue, then she’d look. But for now, Jude decided it would be all right if Tracy had some secrets she didn’t want to share.
Being a mother had never occurred to her. Not even as a bird had it ever crossed her mind to take a mate and have some hatchlings. There might have been a time she would have. But meeting Dante and being her bird was something she was immensely proud of. Raising a hatchling might have been too dangerous back in those times. There was forever someone stealing eggs from birds for food.
“Are you all right?” Jude smiled at Duncan when he spoke quietly. “You’ll be happy to know that every child has a parent. They’ll be permanent homes for them too, I think.”
“I’d like to help each of the families out. Add onto their homes. Build some playground equipment for them all to use. Food, too, if they might need it.” Duncan came into the room more and sat on the sofa across from her and Abe. “You know what happened in here, don’t you? I can’t repeat it. It’s like a stone stuck in my throat every time I think about the things she did to these children.”
“Yes, Jamie told me while it was going on. I’m so sorry.” Jude told him she wasn’t hurt by Hanna, but the kids were. “But you had to hear it from her mouth. I’ve contacted a couple of doctors I know to come and talk to the kids. They might not all need help, but the few that do, I want them to have someone close by. I was going to ask you if you were sure about taking these two, but I think I have my answer.”
“You do. I’ve fallen in love with them both. The way that Tracy protects him. Mercy said she was all up in her face at the home until she found out they were bringing the two of them here.” Duncan nodded. “We really should make our marriage a reality, don’t you think? I mean, everyone already refers to me as Judith Dante.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” He pulled a small box from his pants pocket. “This was in with the jewelry that Mom left me. I think she had it made rather than it coming from the spoils of war. It meant a great deal to her, and in turn, it means that much to me too. Will you wear it? I mean, will you marry me, Judith Castle? My queen of all that we rule?”
The ruby was about the size of a quarter. Dark with age, it was flawlessly cut and shone in bright colors all around the room. Even the Christmas tree paled in comparison to its beauty and shine.
“I will. Gladly.” They kissed, both of them being careful not to wake Abe. But just as they were going to kiss a second time, the children came racing into the room. They had great news, Mary told them. Each child had a new mommy and daddy.
“How wonderful for all of you.” Jude looked at the other birds and thanked them for their help while Duncan talked about how they’d be having so much fun living with each of their new families.
Mercy leaned back on the couch when Abe woke to play with the other children. When asked for permission to play with their new toys, each parent got down on the floor and helped them take things out of the packaging. This was what she needed, a perfect end to this day.
She and Duncan played several games with the kids and ate too much sugary food. Then she fell asleep in his arms as soon as the other children were taken to their new homes. Neither of them cared that they were sleeping on the couch, their children asleep on the floor in new sleeping bags.
Chapter 6
Piper was just packing away the
