Though that was all for the future. It would be years in the making. For now, we worked with what we had.
After a few months in Ebonreach, clearing the scum from the citizenry there and establishing the new rule of law, we travelled back to Theynor to cement the alliance of our peoples. Which also allowed Yilan, Istral, and Diadre to have their babies at home with the female attendants and traditions to which they were accustomed.
It was a relief that we’d made it safely, since all the babes were due in the coming weeks.
I cut my mate a glance to measure her. She’d been chastising me, but the truth was, she was exhausted and trying to cover for it by reclining in her throne, resting her elbow on the arm while her head tipped prettily against her fist.
Yilan often pulled her hair back for formal events, and while the style suited her high cheekbones and catlike eyes, it also emphasized the new fullness of her cheeks… and the rest of her.
I let my eyes slide from her beautiful face, down the length of her neck to her collarbones—revealed by the wide boat neck of her gown—to the fullness of her breasts, and the swell of her now lush body.
Pregnancy suited my mate, and set my blood afire. Her body flushed and full. Her stomach had protruded uncomfortably recently. She was self-conscious about it. I’d enjoyed turning her over on the bed so that her full belly was supported, and pulling her ass high. The midwife assured me that I wouldn’t hurt the babe, and that my mate’s increased cries weren’t pain. That the changes in her body turned her orgasms into tidal waves of—
‘Melek! Stop it! We’re inAudience!’
‘I’d be happy to give them something to applaud.’
‘Melek!’
I rubbed my mouth and jaw—reminded that I needed to shave—to hide my growing smile. Yilan’s need for me had grown during her pregnancy—a royal duty I was more than happy to fulfill. So, we’d used her condition as an excuse for dailynaps.
I doubted we fooled anyone. I knew how servants observed and whispered. But frankly, I was beyond caring. There’d been so much death and struggle and pain in the preceding years, it seemed high time for us to enjoy each other.
My eagerness for my mate definitely hadnothingto do with fear for her safety as the babe’s time drew near. We’d brought Teen, the servant midwife from the Valgorath Palace, with us to Theynor. She’d proven remarkably knowledgeable in herbs and tinctures, useful during the trip. Yilan had already promoted her to the position of Royal Physician—and she spent any hours she wasn’t attending Yilan, Istral, or Diadre, studying the Shadekin medicinal practices, unique herbs, and exchanging knowledge with the midwives and apothecaries here. She even knew a mix of herbs that could be relied upon to keep any woman free of pregnancy—even with a Neph. Something we’d all taken advantage of, because Gall, Jann, and I agreed, we weren’t risking our mates to another pregnancy if it could be avoided.
Yilan and our boy were going to be fine.
I wiped a sheen of sweat from my brow, as Yilan reached for my hand and twined our fingers. I squeezed and held her hand tightly, to offer what comfort I could.
She was so easily moved to emotion these days. A normal symptom of pregnancy, I was assured. Still, it was unsettling when tears or rage appeared without warning.
I’d barely finished the thought when a door opened at the side of the chamber, and Turo marched into the room. I still had the urge to sigh whenever I saw the man. He would always have a stick up his ass the size of a wagon axle. However, the man was more tolerable now—evidenced by the revelation of a wicked sense of humor. In the few weeks we’d been back, I’d seen his quiet, cutting insight, reduce Yilan to a spluttering, indignant cat more than once.
He’d found a new love while we were away, and there was no doubt, the man was a great deal more pleasant to have around now that he washappy.
As he crossed the chamber, his heels clicked on the grey stone so loudly, our brown-noser had to increase the pitch of his pleas to be clearly heard.
“…a great disparity between the resources offered to those in the villages, as opposed to those near the palace. You understand, Sire, thatalllevels of society are affected by this alliance, and with the growing Neph population, security is of paramount importance—”
“The few Neph in Theynor have proven both their loyalty, and self-control,” I growled. “What need have you for security against your new brothers? If it isn’t to guard against them, why are you not asking for their assistance? Their strength could be a great asset to you in building. Among other things.”
The man ducked his head, and that wheedling tone increased as he began his excuses. But I’d stopped listening, because my mate was suddenly panicking.
‘Diadre’s in labor!’Yilan screeched in my head, then she lifted her chin, and addressed the room as she levered herself awkwardly out of the large throne.
“I do apologize, but this Audience will be postponed. We are required at an urgent, er, meeting. Please return next week!” she said firmly, then waddled down the steps and towards the side-door where Turo had appeared, her gait still quick, but her movements swaying now because of the extra weight, and her widening hips.
I accepted the reluctant bows of the people, then hurried after her, only catching her when she’d already made it into the wide, main hallway and was gripping her side as she ran.
“Yilan, slow down. You’re hurting.”
“It’s only tendons softening. She’s been in labor for hours, Melek! Theyforgotto inform me!” she snarled, with a dark glance at me.
“I didn’t know,” I said honestly.
“Yes, but did you order them not to tell me? I know I’ve been worried, but it’s worse not to know—” she hissed and hobbled a few steps, one hand gripping her side, the other cradling her belly. “The kicking isnotnecessary, son!”
She squawked as I swept her up and off her feet. “Melek, put me down! I’m going to my friend!”
