Chapter 29: War of blood

                                    

                                              
The sun sets behind his home. The home he hasn't seen in so long 8 months and 2 weeks to be exact. The palace has always looked the most beautiful at sunset. 
                          
His horse prances through the city towards his wonderful home where his mate is waiting for his return. The people of the city walk out of their homes to come see the returning soldiers. The return of the sultan is immediately worth a celebration in their eyes. The streets fill with happy people starting to cheer and party. Their return must mean victory. 
                          
Lance in the past would've bragged about his victory. He would've partied and celebrated.. however now he has a more important goal. He wants to see his mate after all these months. He wants to take his lover into his arms. 

                          
Lance reaches the palace courtyard together with Shiro. They rode together to the palace while the others stayed in the city for the celebrations. "You should go to your mate Shiro. It's great you wanted to come here with me, however Adam will be waiting for you."
                          
"I'd like to see my son before going home if that is alright with you?" Shiro asks his sultan. "I really missed him.. of course I won't take any of your time with him. I'll say hello and leave you two." The man smiles at his son in law. He is glad he doesn't need to fear the sultan anymore. In the past he would've never requested personal things like this. 
                          
"Of course you're welcome. Im sure Keith missed you a lot." 
                          
Before Shiro can answer Hunk rushing into the courtyard towards the two who returned from war. His face red like he ran through the whole palace to get here. "Your majesty!" He shouts "You're here!"
                          
Lance smiles as he sees Hunk. He missed his friend so much when he was away. However he needs Hunk as his stand in.. who else could he trust more than Hunk and Keith to watch over the sultanate. "Hunk! Friend its good to see you. I'm happy to be alive again for this moment." He jokes.
                          
However Hunk isn't in a joking mood. "The sultana is in labor! You have to come. When we saw you coming I immediately ran down!"
                          
The sultan goes white out of shock. His bronze skin turns dull and his eyes widen. "Right now?!" 
                          
"No 33 hours ago! Come Lance you need to come! The birth is taking longer than the midwives expected. The sultana's mother is with him as well as his housemaids." Hunk spares no time, and is already running back into the palace.
                          
Lance didn't expect to come home to this news. However it was never impossible. Keith must have been over his due date! The three men all run towards the royal bedchamber 
                          
Only when they get there Lance is home too late. 
He never wanted to miss it..
                          
A cry goes through the room. A loud scream from a baby who's not used to breathing air yet. The sultan walks in when they already had bathed the newborn and covered them in soft cloth. It must have been born a bit ago, half hour maybe? Maybe 15 minutes. "
                          
"We were going to get you Hu.." Shay stops her sentence as she sees her sultan. "Your majesty! You're back." Shay is holding the newborn in her arms. "You have a son your majesty. The sultana has given Jafana a prince."
                          
The little prince is still shouting as hard as his lungs can handle. This new life is strange for him. All the little boy wants is to be in his mothers arms and some calm and quiet. 
Lance can't keep his eyes of the little wonder.
                          
However in his happiness the sultan feels a deep shame. He wasn't here.. His lover was alone in this, as he wasn't here. His eyes fall onto the bed where his lover is sleeping. He deserves the rest.. a long birth must have taken a big toll on his body. The bed sheets are bloodied, and they are getting cleaned by the midwives. 
Even now though his mate looks more beautiful than he has ever looked. Also counting their mating days in Lance's opinion.