"We call this the Marketplace. You can find most of anything you would need for sale here, and many foods to try," he explained, keeping his voice light.
"Dada hungee!" Beth squealed.
Around them the people turned to stare as one. It had been centuries since a baby had last graced the halls of Noctem Falls.
"Bring that child here, Prince Caspian. She can have whatever she wants,” a warm voice called out.
Caspian looked around and saw that many of the vendors were standing in front of their stalls staring at the baby girl.
He and Broderick made their way over to the female that had called out to them. "Many thanks," he said, by way of greeting.
She smiled at him, another miracle, before she turned to Beth. "And what would you like sweetheart? We have candies and fruits from all over the world."
Broderick looked quite flustered. "We couldn't accept..." The woman just waved off his concerns. "We cannot have this little one going hungry. Now, you just tell Vella what you would like."
"Nanas!" Beth was quiet for a moment. "Peaze"
Vella looked smitten. "So proper at such a young age. You just wait right here." The woman hurried inside her stall, then returned holding a half of a banana on what looked like a stick. She turned to Broderick. "I use a hard baked cookie for a handle, it should be safe for her. By the time she works her way through the banana, the cookie should be soft."
Broderick nodded. "Thank you so much! Please tell me what I owe you," he started fumbling at his waist, for his wallet.
"Not a penny. Her smile alone was worth a hundred bananas. In fact, she can come here any time she is hungry. I will always have food for this baby."
Broderick ceased in fumbling for his wallet. "What?"
Caspian took out his handkerchief and wiped Beth's nose causing her to giggle. Around them, people sighed in happiness. Her laughter alone brought more light to the citizens than anything else he had seen.
"Let her spoil Beth, Broderick. It has been a very long time since Noctem Falls saw such a little one about," he explained.
Gratitude threatened to spill from his mate's eyes. "Thank you. I was worried sick how we would be received here, but your kindness has chased those fears away.”
"If she likes bread, I make a vegetarian stuffed pita pocket," another vendor offered.
Broderick turned to the man. "Figured out what we were huh?"
The vendor tapped his nose. "Rabbit?"
Broderick nodded. "We are of the family lepus curpaeums," Broderick began.
Caspian stared. "You are a bunny?"
Broderick looked up at him. "Lepus curpaeums,"
Caspian nodded. "So, you are a bunny. That is perfectly fine," he reassured him.
"You're lucky you're my mate, I have destroyed men for less," Broderick threatened, scowling up at him.
Caspian laughed and laughed loudly. "Do your worst," he teased.
"Mate?" Vella gasped.
"She is our princess?" another voice asked nearby.
Broderick looked up at him. "What?"
Vella wiped her eyes. "A baby, on Level One! All of Noctem Falls will celebrate tonight! We have been blessed by the gods!"
"Congratulations on your mating!" the pita vendor called out.
"A new mating and a baby on the Royal Level! This is news!" All around them, people's voices buzzed with excitement. He had observed more emotion in the past thirty-seconds than he had in the past three-hundred years.
He turned to the crowd. "If you will excuse us, I need to get my mate settled on Level One," he said, steering his mate and new daughter toward the transport tunnel.
"Come back anytime!" Vella yelled out.
"And bring the baby!"
Beth turned in her father's arms, her white hair created an angelic halo around her head. "Tank Oooo!"
The people shocked him again as they laughed and waved goodbye to the tiny child. She turned her bright blue eyes to him. She watched him intently all the way down to their new quarters. What on earth was he going to do with a baby?
*****
They walked through the door to find Sebastian serving his brother a late lunch in the antechamber. Magnus stood frowning. "Caspian, I asked you show Broderick to his quarters, why are you both here? Is something the matter?"
He wrapped an arm around Broderick’s shoulders. "He is my mate."
Magnus stared and Sebastian dropped his serving spoon. Sebastian recovered first. "What!"
Caspian stood up straighter. "This amazing creature is my mate, and this angelic child is my new daughter. Congratulations brother, you are now an uncle."
"Unky!" Beth called, reaching for his poleaxed brother.
Magnus stepped forward as if in a daze and gently took the baby from Broderick. "Am I doing this right?" he asked.
Broderick nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. You look like you've done this before."
Magnus' expression dimmed until Beth bopped him on the cheek, then he smiled for the first time is years. "You do not like my frown do you?" he asked.
Beth just babbled. Magnus turned to Broderick. "We are now family, please call me Magnus. And yes, I have a bit of experience. I had a godsdaughter, centuries ago and used to visit her often when she was an infant."
"Had?" Broderick asked.
Magnus nodded. "We lost her to a senseless act of violence, my heart still aches for what could have been. She would have been an incredible woman had she lived."
"Is she hungry? Is she dry? Does she need a diaper? Clothes? Toys?" Sebastian was working himself up into a tizzy as he walked around the antechamber.
Broderick chuckled. "I was only able to bring this single suitcase between the two of us. She probably needs all of that and more." He looked up at him. "If you could show me later where to find such things on that market level, I can get her settled."
Sebastian stared at the single suitcase, a gleam in his eye. "You both need all new wardrobes," he announced.
His mate's mouth dropped. "What? No! Just a few things, really."
Sebastian flapped a napkin at him. "You are of the House Rioux now, you must dress accordingly," he turned to Magnus who was still completely entranced by the baby. "I will be spending a godawful amount on your new brother and baby niece."
Magnus just nodded without looking up. "Whatever they need. Especially this young lady. She is to have everything her tiny heart desires."
Sebastian looked smug. "Good."
Broderick looked lost. "I cannot afford such things," he whispered.
Magnus looked to him, then tilted his head. "Your mate, and through him, me, are vampires with many, many years between us. In addition to that, we are both the last remaining vampires of Royal blood. What makes you think that you would not be able to afford things for your daughter?"
"But we have only just met," Broderick protested weakly.
Magnus shrugged. "You are both ours now."
"Mine you mean," Caspian out.
Magnus scowled at him. "Do not be greedy Caspian, share the baby." He grinned at Broderick. "You can claim him all you wish," he said, in a teasing fashion.