It had been a month and a half since everyone had gotten on the sea.
They had passed over eight countries, moving from one destination to another while the massive fleet continued across the endless ocean.
Mila's brain tumor was gone.
The operation had been successful.
However, she was still bald, and the cancer was still in her system, meaning everyone remained extremely careful with her.
Nikolai's hair had grown out again as his tiny wife kept rubbing the special oil she had made on his head.
Ramira's bump had grown bigger.
Zhanna's bump had grown bigger too.
Salvatore had been taking care of Zhanna.
Mattie was there too.
"Mama hewe milwk," he said.
"Thank you, baby," she said as she drank it.
Mattie wiped her mouth.
Salvatore smiled at his son.
Meanwhile, Desmond entered a coffee shop on the eighth floor.
"Iced tea," he said while rubbing his face.
"Excuse me, two matcha, please."
He heard a little voice.
He turned around.
It was Dr. Violet.
Desmond looked at his iced coffee and quietly sat down, feeling lonely.
Dr. Violet took her drink and looked at him.
"Is this seat free?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey," Desmond replied, still sad.
"Wanna talk, if that's fine by you?" she asked.
He looked at her and sighed.
"Yeah," he said.
They began talking.
Surprisingly, Desmond didn't even realize that he had spoken everything in his heart out.
Violet was twenty-eight years old.
They were sixteen years apart, and yet neither of them knew what destiny had planned for them.
Meanwhile, Nino gathered more blankets.
She made sure everywhere was covered.
She put up little lights and cute stuffed animals.
"Perfect," she whispered.
"Maybe for one night I have…to be me again," she said.
She entered the bathroom.
She wiped her entire makeup off, removed her nails, and took a shower.
A really long shower.
She carefully cleaned herself, allowing herself to breathe and forget everything for a moment.
Brandon had gotten all his money back.
Over seven hundred billion dollars.
He walked toward Nino's room.
He took a deep breath.
Then he entered.
His eyes frowned as he locked the door behind him.
He looked around.
A huge cozy fort room had been designed as a private hideaway, filled with soft cushions, thick blankets, pillows, books, snacks, and warm atmospheric lighting.
The entire room followed a luxurious color palette of Oxblood, Milk Purple, and Ash, creating a dark, dreamy, comforting atmosphere.
The fort itself was built from layers of Oxblood and Milk Purple blankets draped from the ceiling and arranged around the room to create a large enclosed canopy.
Inside were piles of Ash-colored pillows, oversized floor cushions, fluffy rugs, and thick blankets for maximum comfort.
Soft fairy lights were woven throughout the fort, mixed with small glowing lamps and warm LED lights that gave the space a gentle magical glow.
Small Milk Purple and Oxblood lanterns sat around the corners, while subtle Ash-colored lighting kept the room calm rather than too bright.
At the center was a comfortable movie area with a mini movie projector pointed toward a large blank wall or hanging white screen.
A small projector table held the remote, while cozy cushions and blankets created the perfect place for watching movies, series, or animated films.
A large snack station sat inside the fort with bowls of popcorn, chocolate, cookies, chips, candy, biscuits, cupcakes, fruit snacks, and other favorite treats.
There were also bottles of water, juice, hot chocolate, and other drinks arranged neatly on a small table.
Several bookshelves lined the walls, filled with novels, fantasy books, romance books, mysteries, comics, poetry collections, and beautifully decorated hardcovers.
A dedicated reading corner had a huge Ash-colored floor cushion, a Milk Purple blanket, a small reading lamp, and a stack of books waiting to be read.
The floor was covered with soft Ash and Oxblood rugs, while Milk Purple cushions were scattered throughout the room.
Small shelves held candles, decorative objects, bookmarks, headphones, and little keepsakes.
The overall atmosphere was warm, private, magical, cozy, and luxurious.
It was a perfect personal fort for reading, watching movies, eating snacks, relaxing, sleeping, studying, or simply hiding away from the world.
Brandon stood there watching it.
He didn't move.
Not even for a second.
Then Nino came out.
She wore a vintage coquette-style white mini slip dress with an all-over pattern of small pink roses.
The dress featured a sweetheart neckline trimmed with delicate white floral lace and a tiny pink satin bow at the center.
It had thin white spaghetti straps and a body-con, form-fitting silhouette that hugged the waist before finishing at the hem with a matching wide band of white lace trim.
She wore white stockings.
"Brandy?" she said sweetly, sounding like her old self again.
Brandon's heart began beating faster.
He dropped his phone.
He took off his shirt and moved closer to her.
"Say it. Say my name again," he whispered while cupping her face.
"Brandy," she said with a smile.
He broke into a happy laugh.
He smiled.
"You did this all by yourself?" he asked.
She shyly nodded.
He hugged her.
"I miss you so, so, so, so, so, so much, baby," Brandon whispered.
He lifted her into his arms.
They got into the fort.
And their moments, just like old times, came alive again.
They cuddled and kissed.
He read the books while she lay comfortably against his chest.
She fed him strawberries covered with pink chocolate while they watched a movie together.
The two of them spent the night reconnecting, laughing quietly, holding each other, and remembering the warmth they had once shared.
Meanwhile—
"Absolutely not!" Nikolai said while running away from his tiny wife.
Lilith had made herbs for him.
She pouted at him.
He stood by the door.
"I just got better, and now you're giving me these!?" he said.
She dropped it and turned around while sadly playing with her scarf.
He sighed.
He walked toward her.
He took the cup.
He wrapped one arm around her and drank everything in the cup.
She looked at him as he groaned.
He kissed her neck.
"Here, baby," he said.
She broke into a small smile and kissed his cheek.
"Good boy," she said.
He blushed hard.
"Careful now, or Mil might have a little brother or sister," he whispered into her ear.
She blushed.
"Let me Go, horny donkey," she said.
He laughed and kissed her.
Later, Nikolai and both gangs were in the control center.
"Boss, the weather over the next three weeks is heavy thunderstorms and rain. It leads to high waves, water crisis, and a massive ocean storm. Giant waves, hurricanes, thunder, and lightning may occur," the captain said.
His name was Captain Isaiah.
He was thirty-two years old.
Nikolai nodded.
"Let's take a stop before going under. Alert all stores to commence full and ultimate restocking immediately," Nikolai said.
He took the microphone and alerted everyone.
They began to move immediately.
Meanwhile, Ramira was due soon.
Vishal had written down all the baby things.
The list was extremely long.
"Vishu?" she called.
"Yes, Mira. Hungry?" he asked.
She shook her head.
She held his hand and placed it on her bump.
"What—"
He stopped.
A kick.
He felt it.
His eyes widened.
Ramira smiled.
"It's kicking," she whispered.
He placed his head on her bump.
He felt it kicking again.
"She kicked!" he said.
"She?" Ramira asked.
He nodded.
"I have a strong feeling that it's a girl," he said.
She pouted.
"It's a boy," she said.
"Nope. Girl," he replied.
She folded her hands.
"Boy," she insisted.
"What about both?" Addison said while walking in with a tray.
They looked at each other.
"Maybe," he said.
"Anyways, the next country is one hour away, so get ready," Addison said.
He nodded.
She smiled at Ramira.
"The Lord can give you both a double blessing. Who knows?" she said before walking out.
Lilith made lunch.
"Well, guys, it will take four days to fully restock and give what we want, so y'all get ready," Nikolai said.
They nodded.
Oyiva suddenly ran to the bathroom.
Rohan stood up.
"Sit your butt down!" Lily said while she entered.
Oyiva's room.
Rohan frowned.
Meanwhile, Mila sat as Dr. Rafael carefully removed the bandage from her head.
Nikolai's heart was beating fast.
"All done," Dr. Rafael said.
"I free!" Mila said happily.
Nikolai smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
She clapped.
"Nick, we need to talk," Dr. Leonid said.
"Yeah. Tell me," Nikolai said.
"I think it's time you and Lilith have another baby for Mila because her blood type is extremely rare to find in the blood bank. I have contacted a few hospitals ahead. There are only three banks that have her type. Neither your blood nor Lily's blood could help. So think about it. And besides, Mil will get a new sibling," Leonid said.
Nikolai looked thoughtful.
Mila looked between them.
"Hmm. I will think about it," Nikolai said.
Leonid nodded.
"Congratulations! Via is pregnant!" Lilith announced.
Rohan blinked.
"Huh?" he said.
She gave him the test.
He took it.
He saw the two lines.
His face broke into a grin.
He hugged Oyiva.
Lily smiled at them and left.
After one hour, the ship announced their arrival at the country of Singapore.
The bridge opened.
It grew bigger and bigger.
All the stores and their owners moved into the city.
Vishal held his list.
Olivia was with Ramira, taking care of her.
Nikolai was in the room when he made a call to Lily's school.
"Hello?" the principal said.
"Mr. Ken, it's Nikolai Devereaux," he said.
"Y…yes, sir. Please tell me?" Mr. Ken said.
"My wife is a student at your school. She got a scholarship last year. Her identity must be kept confidential, and I want to talk to you," he said.
"Okay, sir," Mr. Ken said.
"If my wife gets pregnant with my second child, can she take her classes online? Do you have an online school?" Nikolai asked.
"Y…yes, we do. Our students overseas take them before they come back to school and take their tests and exams physically," he said.
"Good. Make sure this stays between us. And open your laptop. You are the only one who knows her face and name. Right?" Nikolai said.
"Yes, boss," Mr. Ken said.
"Good. Let it fucking stay that way. Understood?" he said.
"Yes, boss," Mr. Ken replied.
The call ended.
Nikolai closed his eyes.
"Now I have to do something, Bambi, for our love to grow more and our daughter," he whispered.
He closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, Mila sat in the car with Kalma.
They all got to the mall.
They bought snacks and more clothes.
Vishal brought the whole baby store.
Ramira was asleep.
Rohan also got maternity clothes, shoes, food, everything, and books on babies.
Salvatore did the same.
Three men soon to be fathers got everything their pregnant women needed.
Back on the ship, Lily served Oyiva.
"Madam Ji, I help—" Oyiva began.
"Oii! Sit down, woman. You're carrying. No working from today. You only rest, eat, and sleep, okay?" Lilith said.
"But…" Oyiva said.
"But what?" she asked.
"Nothing," Oyiva replied.
Oyiva smiled.
It was the same way Lily had taken care of her when she was pregnant with Mila.
Now Lily was taking care of her.
Meanwhile, Dante's twins, João and Joana, were crying.
Dante pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I w…want Mama," Joana said, sniffing while rubbing her eyes.
Dante sat down and sighed.
"I was tired. His kids have been sleeping for years now," he muttered.
"Nor happy my toy," João said, dragging the little stuffed panda.
The two twins began fighting.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" Dante said.
"Oi!"
A girl stood by the door.
Both twins looked at her.
It was Wazir.
She held a tray.
She dropped it down.
"Both of you, come here," she said.
Both twins stood up and waddled toward her.
"Why are you both fighting and crying, hmm?" Wazir asked while wiping their cheeks.
"Auntie, it mine and he take for me," Joana said.
"I want it," João said.
"But it's for your sister, right?" Wazir asked.
He nodded.
"Then why do you want it?" she asked.
"It comfy," he said.
"Hmmmm. It is comfy. Hold on," she said.
She lifted them both up.
"Come on," she said.
She placed them on the bed.
"You wait for me and finish this sweet buttermilk. I will be right back, okay? You be good, or I will not give you both a special gift," she said.
They looked at each other.
"I want a special auntie gift," João said.
Dante raised an eyebrow at them.
"Then before I return, you both are done with your milk, okay?" Wazir said.
"Okay," they said.
"I will be right back, sir," she said.
Dante didn't say anything.
He nodded.
He looked at his twins drinking the buttermilk.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kelvin entered a local market.
He saw his mother, Ms. Cheryl Tan, selling mangoes in a small shop.
He walked toward the shop.
"Mama?" he said.
She looked up.
She saw him.
Her heart melted.
She hugged him tightly.
"My boy," she said.
He cried in her arms.
He looked around the shop and wiped his tears.
"I got a big house for you with workers and a much bigger shop. I made billions," he said.
She wiped his tears and kissed his forehead.
"I am very, very, very proud of you," she said.
She hugged him tightly.
Leonid, Clara, Violet, and Rafael watched them.
"Awww, he's such a mama's boy," Leonid said.
They laughed.
Meanwhile, Wazir came back to Dante's room.
"Auntie back," Joana said, sitting up.
Dante saw Wazir's arms behind her.
He secretly held his gun just in case.
"Did you both finish your milk?" she asked.
They nodded and showed her their cups.
"Hmm. And now for the reward," Wazir said.
Dante was on alert.
She pulled out two giant stuffed animals.
One was a big white penguin with a head warmer and scarf.
"This one is for you, love," Wazir said, giving it to João.
He gasped.
Dante watched.
No movement.
Just observing.
"And this one is for you, sweetie," she said while giving Joana an Ash-colored elephant with a bow.
Joana became very emotional.
She began crying.
"Thank you, Auntie," she said through her tears.
Both twins cried.
"Shhhh. It's okay. I know you miss your mama, right?" Wazir said.
They nodded.
"Well, whenever I miss my papa, I go to sleep. He visits me whenever I feel sad and I miss him. If you go to sleep and pray, your mama will come in your sweet dreams," she said.
She carried them and placed them on the bed.
She covered them.
"Every sweet dream makes all the children feel happy," Wazir said.
"I see Mama," Joana said while yawning.
Wazir patted them both.
Within five seconds, they fell asleep.
Dante was surprised.
He stood up and checked them.
"They are asleep, but…how?" he whispered.
Wazir stood up.
Both twins gripped her veil.
They whined.
"Stay," Dante said.
Wazir looked at him.
Both stared at each other.
She sat beside them.
All night.
In the north side of Russia, a woman sat while watching a picture of Nikolai.
She was extremely obsessed with him.
"Madam, Nikolai hasn't returned with his family from the sea yet. Their destination is unknown, and his mansion can't be found," a guard said.
She smirked while sipping her wine.
"And his wife?" she asked.
"Unknown, boss," he said.
She shattered the glass in her hand.
"I am back, Nick. And I will take everything away from her. I will make you mine again if it's the last thing I do. Everything will be all mine!" she said while laughing loudly.
A man in the shadows smirked.
"Nikolai, get ready for your downfall," the older man said.
Meanwhile, Nikolai was on his laptop.
"Boss," Damian said.
"Hm?" Nikolai replied.
Damian whispered something into his ear.
Nikolai's eyes darkened.
They grew wider.
He slowly closed his laptop.
"Are you sure of this?" he asked.
Damian nodded.
Nikolai stood up.
"Boss, Mila and Lily?" Damian asked.
He sighed.
"Why now?" he said.
"We have to do something, boss. Those people are dangerous," Damian said.
"Tell the Nocturne Matriarch, David, Jaxon, Enzo, my siblings, and Lilith's friends and brothers to come to the hall immediately," he said.
Damian nodded.
"Yes, boss," he said and left.
Mila and Lilith were asleep in the room.
Nikolai covered them both.
He kissed their foreheads.
"Nothing will happen to my girls," he whispered.
He made a call to one of his first men.
"My boss," the deep, dark voice said.
"Dark Red Viper," Nikolai said.
"Yes, my boss. Any work, boss?" he asked.
They spoke.
"Contact the girls immediately. Fly now. And you know what to do," Nikolai said.
"Of course, my boss," he said.
"Say hello to Mimi for me," he said again.
"Of course," Nikolai replied.
The call ended.
Nikolai entered the hall.
Everybody was sitting there.
He spoke to them.
They all listened.
Calls were made.
Arrangements were made.
Gloria made calls to her mother, and she agreed as long as Gloria was safe.
Valen was typing on his phone.
He kissed her.
She blushed.
Aram made a call in India and began packing all the emergency stuff.
Zorina was getting more guards.
"Here, Mommy. Water?" Aram said.
Zorina stared at him.
"Little asshole, stop calling me Mommy," Zorina said, trying to hide her smile.
"Momma? Mama? Queen?" Aram said, flirting.
She rolled her eyes and groaned.
He smiled at her.
He looked around.
Then he kissed her cheeks.
She gasped at him and slapped him.
He grinned at her and licked his lips.
Zorina's face became red.
He typed on his phone.
Nikolai sat by the window.
"Dada?" Mila said.
She sleepily waddled toward him.
He carried her into his arms.
"Mil dream," she said.
"About what, my princess?" he asked while rubbing her cheeks.
"Baby in Mama tummy. I plawy wif," she said.
"But a meanie auntie coming, Papa. I scwad," Mila said while holding him.
Nikolai's expression changed.
"I knew that this was a sign," he whispered.
"Don't worry, my love. Papa will do anything for his girls," he said while holding her.
Mila lay in his arms.
Nikolai stared at the sea.
Inside his mind, he was building something terrifying.
And the war to come wasn't going to be pleasant at all.
The coldest, most deadly smirk grew across his face.
He looked out toward the endless ocean.
His voice became low.
"Ya vernulsya. Ya Tsar tsarey. Ya zastavlyu vsyo sodrognut'sya, chtoby vy vse vspomnili kto ya."
(I am back. I am the King of Kings. I will make everything tremble so that you all remember who I am.)
Nikolai said in Russian as he gently patted his baby to sleep.
Outside, the waves continued crashing against the massive fleet.
The sky grew darker.
The storm was coming.
And somewhere beyond the ocean, enemies were already moving.
But Nikolai Devereaux was no longer running.
He was waiting.
The King had returned.