Novels by Iris Willow

The chill in the air was biting as I walked through the garden with Lanalee. It had been so long since I was able to spend time with her and I knew that once my baby was born I would have even less time. So, even though Dorian wanted me to rest and keep warm within the Central Palace while he traveled with his father to the Capital, I wrapped myself up in a warm cloak and decided to take a walk. We were enjoying the gentle calm the winter breeze blew in when Calix appeared, running towards us in his own little cloak and boots. “Why are you out in the cold My Lady?” He asked me, his breath making little puffs of white blow out with his words. “Calix.” Lanalee chastised, shaking her head at her son. “I told you, it’s not ‘Lady’ anymore, it's Madam, or Your Majesty.” “Oh, right.” He bowed and corrected himself, maki

The flutters and kicks of my little baby increased as the day of our wedding came closer and closer. And Dorian would constantly stop what he was doing to place his hands over my round stomach, smiling when he’d feel our baby kicking against him. His mother had to kick him out of the office a few times so that I could focus on my lessons, making me laugh when he would pout as he walked away. On the morning of the big day, Ivy and Morina woke me up and helped me get ready. They prepared my bath and poured oils and flower petals into the water while other maids pulled out the dress and all the adornments that were going along with it. I was massaged, wrapped in silk and sprayed with perfumes. I was made to lay in bed with a mask of herbs and flowers on my face and forced to sit still for hours while my hair was treated and combed. A light coating of make-up was placed on me while my nails were polished and

I jumped out of bed the next morning, startling Ivy as she pulled out my dress for the day. I rushed towards the large mirror of my vanity and moved my hair out of the way, smiling broadly as the reflection of the Mark from the dream stared back at me. The happiness I felt spilled over to Ivy who cheered and squealed when I told her how the Mark appeared on me. And when I stepped out of my room I was quickly pulled into Dorian’s arms, laughing at his excitement. The Temple quickly spread the word on the Prophetic dream they had had, coming to look at the Marks on both our necks and discussing how wedding ceremonies would be different now because of them. I also managed to pull my brother aside before my lessons began with Queen Avelia, explaining how the Marking worked in more detail. He took this moment to tell me that he was planning to propose to Morina and wanted to ask if they could hold their weddin

*Amara* After the Queen left I found that Ivy had been brought to my room and had prepared a bath for me. I was grateful for the soothing feeling of the warm water and the smell of my favorite oils and flowers swirling in the tub. Ivy chatted excitedly about becoming the Nanny to a little Prince or Princess while she combed my hair and helped me slip into my nightgown. I hadn’t realized just how tired I was until I caught myself yawning and almost falling asleep to the feeling of Ivy’s gentle fingers in my hair. So, instead of exploring my new space like I had planned, I crawled into bed and muttered a good-night to Ivy, quickly being pulled into a heavy fog of sleep that I gladly welcomed. The familiar feeling of floating came to me and I smiled as the same clearing that I had met the All Mother in materialized

*Prince Dorian* After my mother led Amara out of the room I turned to my father and waited. I knew that there was something important that he needed to say to me, and my mother knew, so she distracted Amara and walked her out so we could speak in private. “Before I tell you anything,” He started, sitting up as a rare smile grew on his face. “I want to congratulate you, on both retrieving your Mate safe and sound, and the baby.” My own smile grew even more at his words, and I couldn’t help but repeat them in my head. My Mate, my one and only perfect half… My Amara. Erebos echoed my words, his own happiness blending in with mine. Our

The silence that stretched on made me feel increasingly more nauseous as I waited for his reaction. I felt as though the entire world around me had gone still and was hanging by a thread as I continued to wait. A sudden pit of fear started to settle in me and I wondered if he would toss me aside because of this, my mind taking me back to the terrible mistakes I made with Kaliden. I soon felt his arm around me and his free hand came up to gently cup my cheek, guiding my eyes back to his. “A baby?” He whispered, his garnet eyes glowing and filled with amazement and joy. “We’re having a baby?” I shakily released the breath I held and nodded, smiling up at him as my brother began to cheer next to us. He pulled me in and kissed me before dropping to his knees, his hands going over mine as he stared at my stomach. Rosa