“Ican tell the Neph that she’s pregnant!”
“You think so?”
“I know so!”
Grandfather’s head sank back and he folded his arms. His eyes were still cold, but he didn’t look away, just took a step back, shaking his head.
“Well then,” he said. “Let’s see how that goes, shall we?”
Nerves tingled in my belly. “How what goes?”
“You. Telling yourbrothersthat your mate is pregnant. Without my help.”
I frowned. “I can do that.”
Grandfather’s mouth curled up on one side, but his eyes were still angry. “I guess we’ll both find out, won’t we?”
I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant, but he looked over my shoulder at Izzy and his angry eyes got sharper. “Youremember thatheinsisted. You remember that he wants to do this alone.”
“I know he can,” Izzy said, and my heart swelled big and made my chest tight.
I smiled.
Grandfather didn’t like it, but he ignored her and looked at me again. “We’ll talk later.”
I felt nervous all of a sudden, but it sounded like he was going to leave, so I just nodded.
And then he was gone, and I could take a big breath again.
I whirled back around to Izzy. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, but her eyes looked scared, not happy like they were before. I crawled up on the bed and got under the covers with her. She looked like she might cry, but when I put my arms around her, she rested her head on my chest and hugged me tight.
And it was the best feeling in the world.
Well, the second best.
“I can do it,” I said, still not sure why Grandfather thought I couldn’t say some words.
“I know you can,” she whispered, and I felt her breath on my chest skin, and it felt really good.
“Thank you.”
“I love you, Gall.”
“I love you too, Izzy. Always. And I’ll protect you. I promise.”
“I believe you.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
12. He Lies
~ YILAN ~
A week after that awful ceremony, an announcement went out to every Neph in the city that the king would appear in the Coliseum after the dinner hour. Thank God it was the cold season, which meant it was already dark at that time. I could shadow walk Melek and I, while he flew us to the top of the stone wall that circled the Coliseum, right in the shadow of the tower, where none of the light from the torches and lanterns reached.
