Love Conquers

                                    

                                          
Characters: Wynter and Elodie
Book: This story does not take place in any of my fanfictions.
It is set when Eliana is eight years old. (Three years after the story His Little Dream)
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    Wynter blinked his eyes open, unsure of what had roused him. His room was dark and silent, lit only by the faelights overhead and the silver moonbeams cascading through the glass balcony doors. The light gleamed on his mate's pale skin, illuminating her features. Wynter leaned over Ellie, gently tracing the scar on her cheek. He pressed a soft kiss to the mark and lay back down, slipping his arms around her.
    He let one hand rest atop Ellie's swollen stomach, while the other wove through her ebony hair. Wynter smiled to himself when the baby kicked right beneath his palm. Ellie made a small sound, rubbing her nose with her knuckles, though she remained asleep. Affection rushed through him at the sight. Wynter breathed in her scent, peppermint, vanilla, and the baby's rich scent besides, and gradually felt the lull of sleep returning. 
    A creak in the hallway had him bolting upright, his hand finding the hilt of a dagger that lay on his nightstand. Wynter slid out of bed, careful not to disturb Ellie, though he cast a protective shield around her. She'd been struggling to sleep more and more lately, as her restlessness and the baby's activity grew. He could arrive any day now, Wynter knew, and Ellie needed to rest as much as possible beforehand. 
    Wynter cracked the bedroom door open, magic humming through his veins. Little footsteps padded down the corridor and he relaxed, recognizing them. Wynter set his dagger aside and left the bedroom, stepping out in front of his daughter. Eliana hugged her blanket tighter around herself and met his gaze. An old three-legged fox was held securely in her arms. 
    Wynter crouched and drew her into a tight embrace. "What are you doing up, Lia?" He whispered. "Is everything all right?"
    "I dreamed that a bear was going to eat Bruma and Donner," she answered. "I wanted to make sure they were all right."
    Wynter smiled, smoothing ivory hair from her face. "Shall I come with you?" 
    Eliana nodded. "I don't think I could fight off a bear on my own."
    "I guess you'd better put your shoes on then. Mommy will be as angry as a bear if you go outside without shoes and she finds out." Wynter stood and ushered Eliana back to her room. 
    It didn't take long for her to locate a pair of fur lined boots. Wynter helped her step into them, then scooped her up and balanced her on his hip. Eliana wrapped her arms around his scarred neck. Wynter winnowed out of the house and into the horses' stable. Bruma lifted his head, huffing as if annoyed. 
    Wynter set Eliana down and she hurried over to the Ursa stallion. Bruma lowered his head, black eyes glittering, and Eliana stroked his white dappled muzzle. When she was satisfied that the old stallion was safe, only upset by being woken, she skipped over to another stall across the stable. Wynter patted Bruma's neck, briefly leaning his head against him. 
    He watched as Eliana pushed herself up onto the stall gate and peered inside. A shrill whinny greeted her and Eliana giggled. "Is Donner safe too?" Wynter asked. 
    "I think so," she answered. 
    A small fuzzy head poked over the gate and Eliana began to pet the colt. Wynter had only recently brought Donner home, but Eliana was already besotted by him. He was eleven months old and one of the last colts sired by Bruma. Wynter had claimed him before he was even born, knowing that he wanted one of his lifelong friend's children to keep him company someday.