Chapter 10- The Emperor said yes-part 1

Gemma's POV

'Click...click...click' I heard this strange noise at even intervals. "What is that noise?" I asked as I looked for the source.

"That's coming from Baby Girl" Daysha said.

"When did she start making that noise?" I asked.

"Hmm...She started maybe a month or two after she was born, but it's only become more pronounced in the last month." Daysha replied after a pause.

I was surprised that I had not heard or noticed it yet. Maybe it was just as Daysha said and it was just now the sound was a lot more pronounced. I was about the ask more when the sudden appearance of Adrian stopped my questions.

"Where you able to get His Majesty the Emperor's permission?" I asked excitedly seeing the happiness in his face as well as the official looking stationary in his hand.

"Come to my study and we can discuss this." He said as he wrapped his arm around my waist and began to steer me in the direction of his study. "Daysha, you'd better come too." Adrian stated before turning back to me, obviously expecting our family nurse to follow. "We have much to discuss" he added as we we left the gardens.

Adrian did not say another word until after the the three of us along with our family's head guard were in the study with the door firmly shut.

He stood there, an imposing and silent figure. I watched the time piece on the shelf slowly move as we waited in silence except for the soft sounds coming from the tapping foot and twisting fingers. It really annoyed me to have to wait and Adrian knew this. I held my tongue though since I knew from our many years of marriage, the you couldn't hurry Adrian. He always moved at his own pace.

Adrian sighed before beginning to speak "His Majesty the Emperor has given his permission for us to head back to the Imperial city in time for Baby's ceremony. He has also found a mentor he thinks will be great for Sapphire. Her mentor is also in the Imperial city and will meet us when we get there. In the letter he also said that he is sending another Protector here to replace me while we are gone."

"So the whole family will be able to make the journey?" I asked excitedly.

He replied with a nod and had his arms out and ready as I laughed and jumped into his arms, too excited for coherent words until he swung me in circles before placing me back on the ground. I heard the sound of quiet feet shuffling and looked down in embarrassment at the unwitting audience of two who were looking to either side, away from us.

I cleared my throat before grilling my husband with all the questions that suddenly flew through my head.

"How did His Majesty the Emperor know that we were looking for a mentor for Sapphire? Why is he letting our whole family go? How soon do we leave? When is your replacement expected to arrive? How long are we going to be in the imperial city?"

I had just paused for a breath, then Adrian stopped me in the typical Adrian fashion. A long kiss!

I was even more out of breath when we stopped than when I began my long list of questions.

"I'll tell you." Adrian said calmly. He was almost always so calm and easy going that it was quite easy to forget that he was in fact one of twelve imperial protectors; the strongest fighters acknowledged by the Emperor, who were stationed around the outer kingdoms.

"Will we be coming back here?"I asked uncertainly.

"Probably" he said hesitantly. "From the letter, the Emperor made it sound like he might have us stay in the imperial city until it's time to find Jasper a mentor. After all he and Sapphire are only a little over 3 years apart and the travel from the farthest kingdom to the imperial city is not a short journey, as you are well aware".

I nodded. I remembered the arduous journey of 8 months with a 5 year old and a two year old. We had departed right after Jasper's ceremony.