Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) by Cynthia Luhrs

here, milady.” Robert strode through her lady’s solar to where Emily stood at a window looking out on the castle courtyard.
    “Robert, welcome.” Emily turned, shifting Colleen to her other hip to kiss him on the cheek. Motherhood suited her. She had a happy, contented glow surrounding her.
    “How old is she now?”
    “Can you believe already three months old? Remember my friend, Kat?”
    “Aye, milady how is the spitfire?” How could he forget the feisty female. Her personality was as loud as her clothing.
    “I talked to Kat this morning. Her baby is already six months old. Time flies doesn’t it? Makes me wonder how I’ll deal with not aging while she does…”
    “Ah, that’s a worry for another day.”
    Seemed like only yesterday that Colin met Emily. Robert never thought any of his fellow Shadow Walkers would ever break their curse, especially the warrior he’d known for so long and called friend. Colin had been closed off to the pleasures of life, existing only to slay the enemy until Emily came stumbling into his world and turned it upside down. Together they’d broken the curse, married, and had been blessed by the goddess Terya with twins, unheard of since all Walkers were unable to have children. Yet here the two of them stood with two screaming babes. Emily had been gifted with immortality and helped the cause by gathering information all in the name of saving humanity before Dayne and the Day Walkers destroyed the world.
    “Where’s the little monster? It peed on me the last time I was here.” Robert screwed up his face in distaste remembering getting too close as Emily changed the tiny bugger and Robert swore the lad aimed straight at him on purpose, ruining Robert’s favorite scarlet silk shirt.
    “Naill’s out with Colin. Please, sit. Would you like some tea? Meg brought it in a few minutes ago. She made those lemon bar cookies you love…” Emily led him to a comfortable sofa, poured and handed him the plate. His mouth watered. Emily had shown Meg how to make the sinfully delicious treat. Normally he didn’t need to eat but being a blasted human for a week, now he required sustenance. Though truth be told he enjoyed the ritual of dining and had somehow over the centuries developed a fondness for sweets.
    “I’d love some though you better take one now before I eat them all.”
    “That’s why there are two on my plate. Mine. So hands off.” Emily giggled as she checked on the baby in the crib and curled up in a chair. “What were you asking me? Oh, right. Naill’s only three months old, and he can’t control his aim, contrary to what you believe.” He narrowed his eyes at her when she covered her mouth with her hand. By the shaking of her shoulders he could tell she was trying her damnedest not to laugh. It wasn’t working very well.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to but the look on your face…you were so affronted, it was really quite hilarious.” She arched an eyebrow, “Anyway, can you believe Colin has little Naill out at the stables? He thinks it’s time his son started riding and learning to carry a sword.”
    The disbelief in her voice made Robert bust out laughing. Gesturing at the baby he told her, “Milady, be happy it’s only Naill. My guess is Colin will have little Colleen out there next.”
    “Oh no, he’s not putting Colleen up on one of those huge scary horses.”
    “Before I head out to talk to your husband, I heard a few foster kids are coming to live at Ravensmore.” Robert couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice. He thought twins would be bad enough. Crawling all over, crying and needing constant attention. Facing Fury would be preferable to taking care of children any day. At least the hellhound would most likely eat him quickly; children would suck the life out of him slowly, making Robert wish to be banished to one of Thorne’s infamous torture chambers.
    Emily’s smile lit up the entire room. “Yes, we’re starting with seven