Josephine slept the entire day.
When she finally woke, she yawned softly and walked downstairs, rubbing her eyes and face.
The moment she reached the hall, Orion spotted her and ran to her, hugging her tightly. She rubbed his back lovingly as he buried his face in her arms.
Xavi held Opehlia, who was wrapped around his neck, playing with his hair. Adris was eating at the table.
"Hey, love," Xavi said, kissing Josephine's lips.
She smiled gently at her husband.
Adris placed a small cake in front of her. She clapped quietly, cutting it—and tucked inside was her medical result.
Everyone watched with excitement.
Josephine read it and her eyes widened.
ANOTHER BABYYYYYYYYY!!!
she screamed in her mind, grinning so wide her cheeks hurt.
Xavi heard her thought and nearly choked with joy.
All the women rushed to hug her.
Orion yawned.
"Mama is happy…" he said.
"Because Mama has another baby in her tummy now, Ron," Opehlia announced proudly.
Orion gasped.
"A new baby!?"
"Yeah!" Opehlia giggled, and the twins laughed together.
THE PAIN IN XONI'S CHEST
Xoni waved goodbye to her son, then returned to the hall where her baby played among the other infants. She sat down slowly, pressing her chest with a wince.
Xavi walked in and sat beside her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"My chest hurts a lot, brother… I took herbs and used healing spells but it isn't enough," Xoni said weakly.
Suddenly, Anesthesia entered—the sleeves of her dress soaked with blood.
"Annie?" Theron asked, alarmed.
She held a vial in her hand.
"Does it still hurt, love?" Anesthesia asked, opening the bottle for Xoni.
"Yes… but whose blood is that?" Xoni asked.
"That…" Anesthesia began, but then saw little Renia giggling from her playpen. She cast a shield spell so none of the babies could hear.
Her voice turned dark.
"The Duke of Ironshade. That bastard hired a spy to serve you your food. In the meal was a Venom Drinker—a slow poison."
Xoni froze. Shock washed over her.
"Drink," Anesthesia said, pushing the cure toward her.
Xoni swallowed every drop as Xavi gripped his twin's hand tightly.
Josephine's eyes glowed dark yellow—her silent magic awakening.
As Xoni looked into Josephine's glowing eyes, she suddenly bent over and vomited a thick blue liquid onto the floor.
Anesthesia cried, tears streaming down her face.
Xoni wiped her mouth weakly.
Josephine pressed an Emerald Leaf Cure to Xoni's chest.
"Thank you, Jojo…" Xoni whispered before collapsing into Anesthesia's arms.
She fell unconscious.
Sienna rushed over. "She will be awake in four hours."
Anesthesia nodded, still trembling.
Xavi was furious. His love for his twin sister ran deep, and the fear of losing her clawed at him.
Josephine wrapped her arms around him, grounding him.
THE ARRIVAL OF ARDERA'S CHILDREN
Two hours later, four carriages stopped at the entrance.
Ardera sat waiting outside. She brightened as six figures stepped out.
"MOM!!" they shouted.
"My sweet, sweet babies!" she giggled.
Ardera had four children:
Solyn – half wolf, half witch
Viola – a tribrid: half vampire, half witch, half vampire
Alina – half werewolf, half vampire
Dacian – half wizard, half vampire
With them came Xavi's two male cousins:
Vorric – half dragon, half vampire
Lazaric – half werewolf, half wizard
They entered the palace and paused at the sight of Xavi.
He sat slumped on his throne, head bowed.
Josephine sat on his lap, rubbing his back to calm him.
"I almost lost her…" Xavi whispered.
"It's good Anesthesia killed him."
"Who is that, Mom?" Solyn asked, pointing at Josephine.
"That's King Xavi's wife," Ardera said.
"Greetings, King Xavi," they all said, bowing.
Xavi didn't lift his head. He merely raised his hand in acknowledgment.
Josephine waved at them sweetly.
"She is mute," Ardera explained.
"She cannot speak. Xavi is very, very protective of her, so be careful with your words."
"Yes, ma," they all answered.
THE TWIN RISES AGAIN
Two hours later, Xoni awoke.
She saw her baby and her wife sleeping beside her. Relief softened her expression.
She stood up, yawned, changed into fresh clothes, and stepped outside.
In one breath, she shifted into her wolf form and sprinted into the forest, releasing a long, powerful howl at the sky.
Meanwhile, Xavi had fallen asleep in Josephine's arms an hour earlier.
She woke him to eat lunch as the kids returned from school.
Vexar rushed over and spotted his little sister awake in their mother's arms. He carried her gently. She yawned, and he patted her back.
Adris helped prepare her milk. Vexar fed her while she drank contently.
"You're a great big brother, Adris," Vexar said.
Adris kissed his forehead.
"Thank you, V."
Xoni walked in suddenly, holding several bags.
"Xavi!" she called.
Xavi woke with a start.
"Yeah!?" he answered, still lying on Josephine in her hall.
Josephine giggled silently at her husband.
"Here—this is for you," Xoni said, handing him the bags.
"Thank you," he said, hugging her tightly.
"I know, I know—you thought I was going to die. But I'm fine. Thanks to my wife and Jojo," Xoni said, wiping her twin brother's tears.
"X is a big baby…" Josephine teased playfully in her mind, clapping her hands.
"I am NOT a baby," Xavi complained.
Josephine giggled again in her thoughts.
The family went for lunch together.