Olive held up the tiny pair of glossy pink shoes with a grin. There was a slight murmur of confusion around the room, wondering why the queen of Rostonin had thought a pair of baby army boots were appropriate. Olive giggled and hugged Danika.

'Perfect.'

Alina rolled her eyes at her daughter in law, nothing had changed about her. She was still the same woman that her son had fallen in love with. Neither money nor power had changed her, she still shopped in the same places as she did before him and much to Lucian's annoyance he had to beg her to wear the crown for official functions. But Alina knew it was what made her perfect, she didn't care that he was royalty, she teased him that she had more money than him because of her career as a musician before they met and she kept him grounded. She looked to Olive who was cooing through the box of things that Danika had been collecting as a present. Gone was the waif that Phabel had fallen in love with and now was a woman that had grown with pregnancy. She was still too thin but that would take time, her body had to adjust to being pregnant whilst becoming a shape shifter and it was dragging out her complete change. All that remained to change her completely were the scars from that terrible night when she was abducted. The cat's teeth had sunk into her body, Olive had a puncture wound on her leg that was taking it's time to repair completely. There was no great gaping wounds, just a large purple circle scar on her leg.

She smiled softly as the tiny clothes were being individually assessed and shown, the women gushing over the smallness. Alina looked out the window beside her to the view of the field in the distance. Construction had begun on what would be their home, Phabel and Olive were going to reside in Loach Issralk now that they were having a baby. The shifter world was overjoyed at the thought of a royal baby and so soon after their wedding. Alina was grateful that Phabel was still so willing to continue teaching at the university, there weren't many that could do his job. Olive had deferred her education for a short while, the demands of a child were hard at the best of times but a shifter baby was difficult. Memories of Lucian as a baby flooded through her mind. Lucian was only quarter shifter yet he was still a handful especially for a first time mother. Alina could only sympathise, Olive would have no clue what was waiting for her. But she would have lots of help, Islana would always be there for her and Seraphina was always around now that Olive was here. Olive was grateful for the both of them, with her mother dead and not having any siblings, she could feel the weight of loneliness dragging her down. This world for all its beauty was frightening for someone who was new to it. They had been living at the palace for about a month and in that time Olive hadn't ventured out much. Phabel would be at the university for the majority of the day, returning at odd hours because of the time difference. She was stuck in this palace that looked like it should be a museum, walking the corridors, searching for something to do. All of her things had been put into storage, all of the things that could keep her occupied were stuffed away in a building that she didn't know where it was.

Olive gasped as she reached the bottom of the box, a smaller box sat inside. She had pulled it out and to her delight, she had been given things to occupy her days.

'You are so awesome.'

Her fingers ran over the cold tin, feeling the embossing of the letters. Pencils, papers, everything that she missed from her world of design.

'Phabe said you were moping around the place, complaining that your things are gone.'

She nodded with a quiet smile, her eyes lingering to the house being constructed. The entry to the place was bigger than her apartment, she wondered how she was ever going to find the time to clean every single room. Danika raised an eyebrow at her, clearly the time spent at the castle had not been long enough for Olive to figure out that staff did the cleaning.

Everyone chatted as they ate little cakes and politely drank tea, discussing the event that was taking place tomorrow. It was the official opening of the witch realm and there was going to be a great fanfare for the momentous day. The leader had been chosen in an odd way. Previously the line was chosen because of the beings true worth and love for their people, they were good for their world and would rule with great care. But the events that led up to Olive's abduction by a witch had altered the makers view on how the new leader should be chosen. To Olive it was true magic, the day they had been summoned to cast their vote, she had expected to go to a government building and cast a vote like an election. But this vote was different, it was a tiny scroll that floated through the window to her, another floated to Phabel. As they sat on the lounge in their bedroom, Phabel explained how it worked. The vote could never go to another being, it was embedded with a spell that would seek her out and no one else. If someone happened to steal it from her, it would be useless. The scroll would wither until it was returned to it's rightful owner. To ensure she understood, Phabel took it from her, showing the tiny browned piece of paper shrivelling on his palm. When he gave it back, it sprung back to normal. Phabel knew who he wanted to select, showing her to run her finger along the name, it would make the name glow. She questioned her choice, not knowing who any of these people were. Promptly, Phabel told her to run her finger down the centre of all of the candidates. She had gasped as a ghostly image appeared before them, each of the candidates had pre-recorded a message of who they were and what they hoped to achieve for their new world. Olive selected her candidate and looked over at Phabel's selection, smiling at how odd it was that they had made the same choice.

Olive smiled at the thought of how often they did things like that. Selecting things for the baby had been a breeze, one of them would suggest something and the other instantly loved it. It was like they had synced their whole world. She watched as the baby pressed through the wall of her stomach, stretching as far as she could reach. No one seemed to notice, engrossed in their discussion of the witch king, Orson. It had pleased Phabel that Orson had been selected, he was a humble man that would do great things for his world. A figure that darted past the doorway caught Olive's attention. Phabel had been hiding in their section of the palace but obviously needed something nearby and had to pass the door. He didn't want to be engulfed by a throng of women who would gush over how great it was that he was going to be a father. She inwardly chuckled thinking she could call out to him and cause him all sorts of grief. Olive behaved herself, returning to the little singlet in her hands.

By the time they had left, Olive was in dire need of putting her feet up and nothing more. To her delight, her beloved husband had drawn a bath for her and was waiting to help her in, and of course join her.

'I saw you earlier.' she murmured against his chest.

'Is that right?'

She nodded hearing the humour in his voice.

'I had been searching for the change table. Someone left it in the boot of the car.'

Olive snuggled into his embrace as they laid in the warm water. Phabel's hand seemed to be permanently attached to her stomach. He was always searching the child out, watching her grow, feeling as she pushed and stretched. One little girl growing fast, she would be here soon. It was only a few weeks until the due date and Olive was more than ready to get her out. She was always tired, always hungry and suffered bad indigestion.

'Feeling better?'

She sat up with a smile, nodding profusely. Both hands went onto her belly as he watched the little lump protrude through the top.

'Left foot.' he grinned.

Olive moved her body to straddle him, watching the smirk get a little bigger. He had been very careful around her of late, treating her like she was made of glass. She knew he was concerned for her, not wanting to cause her pain or impose himself upon her but it was driving her crazy. His hand was still on her stomach, she took it and traced her breast with his fingertips.

'Something on your mind my love?'

'Always.'

'Ahh pregnancy hormones, how truly wonderful they are. Made my shy Olive into a nymphomaniac.'

'Are you complaining?'

'Never.' he grinned wickedly.

***********

Olive watched with a wry smile as Phabel fussed around the bed, placing pillows so that she would be comfortable. Every single time since she had gotten larger, he went through the same motions. Olive is made of glass. Olive had to be cared for to an insane degree. She didn't care, still lingering in the relaxed state from the bath. Making her way behind him she wrapped her arms around him as best she could and slowly pulled away the towel that was wrapped around his waist. He let out a soft guttural groan as she took him in hand, teasingly stroking him. She loved to feel the raw power that she had over him, just by one simple gesture. He groaned louder as she kissed his shoulder, her other hand trailed up and down his spine. Olive missed the days where she could stand behind him and tease him with both hands, she could have him begging for more. She would gladly give it, she loved how he reacted to her touch, how much he wanted her. He was always good to her, taking her education in this world slow, guiding her in the world that she knew nothing about. With time he was delighted that she showed initiative in their love, instigating many encounters. That was what he craved more than anything, her reciprocated love.

'Olive.' he groaned quietly.

She let go of her firm grip, knowing it was time to stop. Olive understood him better now, she knew how to read him, his body language and his gestures. She smiled a wicked grin as she walked around his body, the hand that trailed his spine lowered and followed the curve of his backside. In her opinion, it was one of his best assets. It was perfectly round and she thought it was a shame to cover it. He helped her onto the bed, settling her into the best position to give her some loving. Phabel leaned over to kiss her, deep and passionate her hand wrapped into the strands of his hair on the back of his head as the other found him again. Phabel chuckled in their kiss.

'Can you not keep your hands off me woman?'

'Never.'

'Good.' he grinned and sank to his knees. 'I do like how much you like to play with him.'

Olive had been grinning but as his tongue lashed over her she gasped.

'Teasing me.'

He ran his finger through her, watching as her eyebrows pressed together, feeling the pleasure course through her.

'Tempting me.'

His breath was hot on her skin, breathing the words as he whispered them. With a concise movement, he ran his tongue over her, making her gasp louder. As his lips pressed against her and he continued his teasing of her, her body shuddered as the sensations gushed through her.

'You know.' he kissed her swollen belly 'There is nothing finer than watching the woman you love enjoy the touch and the love that you give her.'

Phabel ran his tongue over her tender breast, moving to the other side and gently kissing her.

'Truly an amazing sight and I can not wait until next time.'

'Which is now, right?'

'Always impatient.' he chuckled.

**********************

Phabel woke, searching out his beloved wife under the sheets. The bed was empty which wasn't unusual. The pressure of a heavy child was causing her to make regular stops at the bathroom. As he rolled over the light from the alarm clock blared at him that it was three am. Phabel laid in bed, thinking about his life. He was once a man that had walked the land in the realm of Elm'nyth for over nine hundred years. In that time, before Olive, there had many women that had crossed his path. Like Lucian, he was a man that had a wild life until the appearance of his love. But none of them were as perfect as she was, they complimented each other in a way that Phabel didn't think was possible. Their love had grown in the few months that they had been together, creating a wonderful life together. She supported his love of Elm'nyth and teaching at the university and he supported her growing business. It had taken a while for her to get started, being burdened with terrible morning sickness had halted all efforts in her work. But once that had passed, she settled into a routine of designing in the morning and creation in the evening.

Construction had begun a few months prior to their return, a neighbouring plot of land was large enough to accommodate what both Olive and Phabel wanted. The distance between the two properties was sizable, there was no short walk between the two which was pleasing for Phabel. He loved his parents but needed his space. Many hands were called into the place, hoping to get it done before the child's birth. The majority of the work was completed but Phabel wasn't prepared to be in an uncompleted house, it wasn't safe. So that was why they were still at the palace. Phabel didn't mind, in fact he was slightly relieved. He knew that for all that his mother could be overbearing, she would be exactly what Olive needed when the child was born. From the moment a shifter child is born, they can alter what they are. Usually babies become butterflies, a sign of contentment. They never ventured far from their mothers but Phabel knew it would be daunting for Olive, having never seen a shifter baby before.

Phabel groaned knowing that they had to be up in a few hours to leave for Moryli, the new realm for the witches. Being that they were royalty they were invited to attend the more formal festivities of the day. Wearily he sat up and rubbed his eyes, looking at the moon lit window. Slipping to the wall beside it, he looked out to the edge of the estate. The media had set up along the fence line for what they had dubbed baby watch. Anticipation had been growing in the past few weeks, speculation was rife because Olive was seen in public less frequently. They were placing all sorts of bets, the gender of the child, the due date, the name and if it would be a home birth. He looked out at their set ups, the long range cameras, the tents that had been erected temporarily made the area look like a shanty town. Phabel didn't see the point in trying to move them along, he knew they would find somewhere else to set up. If he were to think about it and their true motive, he could hope that it was for the public, to give them a glimpse of their future royal and her birth and not be about the money made from selling the images. But of course, he was a little more realistic, knowing that the majority of the people out there were all about the money. The media had lapped up the arrival of the princes mate, their every movement was watched and splashed across every magazine across the world. They exposed her past and searched for every little morsel of debauchery they could find, to Olive's amusement, they found nothing.

Phabel returned to the bed, looking upon the closed door of the bathroom. He frowned as he looked at the clock, fifteen minutes had passed and she had not come out. Taking only a few strides to the door, he quietly tapped on it as he called out to her. Her voice was quiet, as he opened the door he detected the tremble in it. Phabel found her sitting on the cold tiles leaning on the wall, her face said it all.

'You are in pain, why didn't you wake me?'

'I'd wake you every few seconds if I told you of every single pain Phabel.'

'What are you doing in here?'

'The coldness is so relieving, it's like my back is on fire.'

Phabel grinned with amusement.

'Is that right?'

She nodded wondering what was so amusing.

'And how long has it felt like this?'

'All bloody night.' she scoffed, then she saw the look on his face 'I'm in labour, aren't I?'

'I'm afraid so my love, now to your feet and we venture to the nurse.'

Phabel took both of her hands and lifted her upright, helping her out of the bathroom.

*************************

Two little blue eyes stared up at her father, the bundle in his hands was delicate like her mother. Nethalia had arrived quicker than any of them had expected, Olive was barely on the bed before she had started to crown. She was asleep now, exhausted from the birth.

'Aren't you tired, my little princess?' Phabel whispered.

He was in awe of her, she was so small and perfect. Phabel didn't think it was possible to love any one as much as he loved Olive, but he did. Her tiny head rested in his hand as the other held her body. The hair on her head was a fine soft brown, Phabel grinned at the thought of a miniature Olive running around the house. He put her to his chest as she yawned, settling her with little fuss. 

'You are amazing.'