Zarreth returns from his inspection and kneels in front of me on the woven rug. He unlaces my boots, taking them off one at a time. I let my head fall back against the wall and stare at the heavy beams crossing the ceiling, blackened by years of soot. I groan when he presses a thumb into the arch of my foot. My eyes close and I melt into the warmth of his hands. “God, that feels so good.”
He stands, grabbing my hands and pulling me to my feet. “I found something that will feel even better…something a little more suitable for aGoddess.”
I roll my eyes. He’s been calling me a Goddess ever since we left the Queen’s chambers and I told him about my conversation with Theia.Let’s see if he still calls me that once I tell him the rest.
We cross a small alcove off the main room, but the sound of rushing water has me stopping in my tracks. “Is that…running water?”
He grins, pulling me through the door. I almost collapsed right then and there. The sight of a nice warm bath nearly pulls the last of my strength from under me.
The first bath is all business as we scrub away the dirt, dried blood, and stench of travel. By the time we’re done, the water is black and useless.
The second bath, however, is absolutely amazing. Zarreth leans back against the tub, his wings tucked tight, watching me. I sink into the water between his legs, pressing my back to his chest, and sigh. If I ignore the knot between my ribs, the world feels still, peaceful even.
I should tell him. I need to tell him. I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t.
My fingers find his where they trace circles on my stomach. “Theia told me something else,” I whisper before I can change my mind.
His body stiffens, but he doesn’t say anything. He only waits, giving me time to think.
I take a breath, then another, trying to say what has me so nervous. “It’s notjustyou and me anymore.”
His fingers stop moving, and for a long moment there’s only silence…long excruciating silence.
“I know,” I blurt out, voice cracking. “I know it’s the worst timing ever. We’ve barely had a minute to ourselves since we met.”
Nothing. He still doesn’t move, doesn’t speak. I desperately want to turn around, to look at him, but I’m afraid of what I’ll see.
“And you never said you wanted kids, and I can barely take care of Ms. Kitty,” I rush on, not giving him a moment to speak. “And who in their right mind would bring kids into this world? And what if—”
“Melita.” He cuts off my rambling.
I snap my mouth shut and realize I’m shaking. He turns me slightly toward him, his hands still on my stomach. I keep my eyes down. I’m not ready to see the disappointment in his. He just got out of captivity after two decades. The last thing he needs is being tied down with kids.
“Frankie, look at me,” he says, gently.
I shake my head. “I don’t want to.”
His fingers tilt my chin until my eyes reach his. There’s no shock or panic in his expression. It’s deep and unreadable, and that’s almost worse. My eyes burn with tears, but I do my best not to let them fall.
“Thank you,” he says, Adam's apple moving when he swallows.
“For what?” Is he thanking me because I waited to tell him until we were in private?
“For giving me something I never thought I’d have…a family.”
A family. Our own family, a real one. But before I get my hopes up, I brace myself for the rest. I turn so we’re face to face, my legs straddling his. “Well…I hope you want a big family,” I wince. “Because Theia told me there are two of them…we’re having twins!”
I close my eyes, scared to see his reaction. Again he says nothing. The silence presses until I’m drowning in it, and it fucking hurts. Right when I’m about to spiral, his hands press into my cheeks. They’re trembling.
“Frankie.” His voice cracks, but it’s tender. I finally open my eyes and nearly break at the way he looks at me. There’s so much love…I can hardly breathe.
He leans in, eyes never leaving mine, breath warm against my skin. His mouth gently grazes my lips, capturing a salty tear. A sob breaks free, and then another, but he doesn’t stop. He holds me closer, taking every sound I give him.
He pulls back enough to catch my eyes. “I love you.” His voice shakes before he kisses me again, deeper like he’s trying to press the words into my mouth. “I love you so fucking much.”
I press my body closer to his, trying to crawl inside. To become one, to be a part of him. Then everything blurs. Skin. Tears. Broken whimpers. His hands sliding over my back. Mine through his hair. Everything in me reaches for him, needing him inside of me.
And then he is.
