"We can help," a deep voice volunteered.
Simon nodded. "Excellent, just the two I would have sent for." He turned to him. "Broderick, my nephews, Tarak is the taller of the two and Kuruk is his younger brother."
Two giant men stepped forward from the hallway. "We overheard what is going on. We would be more than happy to help," Tarak explained.
"Are you sure? Some of the crates hold scientific equipment and can be quite heavy."
Tarak blinked. "If you were going to carry them, we should not have a problem."
Simon sighed at the man's gaffe.
Broderick narrowed his eyes. "What? Because I'm smaller, I'm automatically weaker? I'll have you know I have a baby girl who is teething, my strength is immeasurable." He added a bit of levity to his indignation hoping that Tarak wouldn't take offense.
Instead, the man’s eyes brightened. "A baby girl? Where? Is she on Level One?"
Leana clapped her hands together. "When can I meet her?"
Broderick took a half a step back. He had to remember that the city hadn't seen that many babies lately. "Yes, Magnus and Sebastian are watching her for us."
Leana brought a handkerchief to her eye. "I bet Magnus is over the moon. He adores children. He was devastated when we lost Mercia and Vivian."
Caspian looked at Simon. "He was smiling, Simon. Even laughing with my new baby girl."
Leana gasped. "Thank all the gods! I have been so worried about him."
Simon exhaled raggedly, shaking his head. He turned to Broderick. "You are thrice welcome for bringing so much happiness to one of my closest friends."
"We can start carrying your things," Kuruk suggested.
Leana slapped him gently on the arm. "You both just want to go see the baby."
Tarak didn't even bother trying to hide his grin. "There is also that."
Caspian reclaimed his hand. "We will take our leave and show Kuruk and Tarak where they can store Broderick's equipment."
"Yes, let us do that," Kuruk agreed.
Leana scowled at all three of them. "I expect an invitation to tea and soon Caspian," she warned.
Caspian gave a half bow. "I will have Sebastian send something formal down later this evening."
"Good," she said, looking smug.
With both tall vampires on their heels, they made their goodbyes and headed back down to Level One.
Chapter Two
Caspian led them to a long hallway that was dimly lit by small, round, glow stones. "Most of the rooms on either side are empty. Just choose which one you would like."
Broderick felt giddy at the prospect of having his choice of rooms for his new lab. He opened each door and peered inside. He passed his hand over the crystal by the door to activate the glow stone in the center of the ceiling of each room he inspected. They were all about the same size with very little to distinguish one from the other. "I'm not sure which one to pick."
"May I make a suggestion, Your Highness?" Tarak asked, speaking up.
"Of course, and please, call me Broderick. I'm no where near comfortable being called ‘Your Highness’.”
Tarak grinned. "Broderick then. You have a baby girl right? Then if it were me, I would choose the second room on the right. It is close enough that you are nearby for your daughter, but, far enough away where the traffic to and from the Prince's quarters will not distract you."
Broderick felt relieved, that was the perfect solution. "We'll do just that. I guess that is the room where all the crates can go."
Tarak and Kuruk exchanged rueful glances. "Could we possibly see the baby first?" Kuruk asked.
Broderick nodded. "Of course, let's go see if she's awake."
Caspian stayed at his side as they walked back to the Rioux personal quarters. He opened the door and they walked inside.
"Magnus, Sebastian, we are back," Caspian called out.
Magnus holding Beth emerged from the direction of the kitchen, Sebastian right behind him. "Tarak, Kuruk," the prince said, nodding.
"Your Highness," they echoed in return.
Broderick stepped forward and lifted Beth from Magnus' arms. "There's my Honey Bunny! Look, we have new friends to meet. Beth, this is Tarak and Kuruk." Broderick was feeling a bit devilish as he plopped his daughter down, right into Tarak's arms. The poor man looked like he would faint at any moment.
Instantly Tarak cuddled her close, as his brother crowded in from the side.
Tarak gulped. "Gods! She is so tiny! I mean, we of course heard about how small babies are, but it is so different seeing one."
"Tarak! Look at her tiny fingernails! She has fingernails, just like a real person!" Kuruk pointed out excitedly.
Broderick laughed. "She is a real person."
His daughter stare up entranced at the men's enthusiasm. Then, she must have decreed them her friends because she leaned forward and mouthed Tarak's jaw. "She must like you. She only gnaws on people she likes," Broderick informed them.
"Tarak, let me hold her, please," Kuruk pleaded.
Sighing Tarak handed Beth over to Kuruk. "Have her sit on your forearm and you can support her little back with your other hand," Tarak said, positioning his brother's hands.
"She hardly weighs anything," Kuruk said, staring down at Beth.
Broderick couldn't help but chuckle. "You say that now, but after holding her for hours on end, she can feel quite heavy."
Kuruk shook his head. "This little angel could never be heavy."
Beth must have decided she liked Kuruk too, because she was soon biting his jaw as well. Kuruk beamed at everyone in the room. "She likes me!"
"Hmmph," both Magnus and Caspian grunted in unison.
Broderick turned away so his mate and new brother wouldn't see his smile at their chagrin. They were both jealous that they hadn't been anointed.
"I can take her so you can start on those crates," Caspian said, plucking Beth from Kuruk's arms.
Both men smiled as they nodded. "It will not take us long. Thank you for introducing us to your daughter, she is a true blessing."
"Thank you again, guys."
They waved and headed toward the door remarking over each tiny feature they had seen on his baby girl.
"Am I not your friend?" he heard Caspian ask.
"No fren!" Beth yelled.
"Elizabeth Monroe, you be nice," he warned.
She sniffled. "No fren. My Papa."
Caspian inhaled and swung her around in the air causing her to squeal. "That is right baby girl! I am your Papa!" He actually had tears in his eyes when he turned to face his brother. "Did you hear that!"
Magnus was all smiles. "I did! What a smart baby. She must take after her Uncle Magnus."
"Unky!" Beth said, pointing at Magnus.
Magnus stepped closer to his brother and ran his finger down Beth's cheek. "That is right. I am your uncle. I will be the one to spoil you horribly."
"And me?" Sebastian asked, pointing to his chest.
"Bas!"
"Oh! She knows my name!" Sebastian wheeled to him. "What are her favorite foods? I will cook up a feast for tonight."