Nautilus nodded silently for him to speak.
Kamari hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "When Zak's omega father became pregnant, did you notice any surge in your magic? Or when he was born?"
My eyes widened. That was not the question I expected to come out of Kamari's mouth.
Silence fell over Nautilus. "Yes," he finally said quietly. "I had not thought about that before, but you're right, Kamari. There was a noticeable spark when Remington conceived. It was right when I chose to reveal myself to them."
"Oh, right," I said. "Because you can tell immediately, right? I remember Dad and Pops mentioning that you and Grandma can both do that."
"That's correct," Nautilus said.
Kamari chewed his lip. "Then... If I have a baby with Zak, would that be enough for your magic to fully return?"
"It would be irresponsible for me to make any promises, since I can't predict the future," Nautilus said. Warmth softened his expression. "But to see a child come out of a union of fated mates... A great-grandchild of mine... It would be wonderful indeed."
Kamari and I exchanged a glance. It wasn't a sure thing, but it sounded like it was our best option right now, as wild as that was. I never thought Kamari of all people would suggest having a baby to restore a spirit's magic.
"Oh, you just want another descendent," Mistral said, rolling his eyes.
Nautilus side-eyed him. "Perhaps."
But Mistral's mood shifted into seriousness. "You're forgetting something. If this pairdoesconceive a baby and youdoexperience a surge of magic, Animus will know. What if he comes to finish what he started? What if he renders you completely powerless?"
I heard the tight fear in Mistral's voice. He was worried about Nautilus.
Nautilus's eyes hardened into diamonds. "I will not be caught off guard this time. If it's a fight he wants, I'll be prepared to give him one."
Mistral groaned, right back to his whiny persona. "You know I'm a coward. I don't wanna fight him, he's so mean!"
Nautilus chuffed a laugh and slapped Mistral with his tail. "Then why have you not left yet? I'm awake now. You do not need to take care of me any longer."
"Because I feel familial responsibility or whatever," Mistral grumbled, waving his tail away. "Anyway, if these mortals are about to have sex, I'm leaving. Don't need to see that..."
"Mistral."
The harpy stopped in his tracks. "Yeah?"
"Take me to the water." His eyes narrowed. "I want to try to regain my strength, in case Animus does return."
"Gotcha. All right, just wait a sec, don't mind my claws..."
Mistral carefully held Nautilus upright with one arm, which was difficult considering he had talons and wings instead of actual arms, then abruptly took to the sky with the other. I gawked. I didn't realize Mistral was that powerful. Was he controlling the air current with magic?
When we were alone, Kamari squeezed my hand to get my attention. I looked at him. Hope and despair were both etched into his face. I caressed his cheek, wanting to wipe the latter away, but I knew we couldn't truly relax until we knew Animus wouldn't upset the balance of nature again.
And apparently, having a baby was our only solution.
15
Kamari
There were somany emotions storming inside me that I barely knew where to begin. I never imagined when this situation first began that it would become so complicated, and that I would play such an integral role. Fated mates, benevolent and malevolent spirits, magic... I'd stumbled into something far greater than I realized.
When I first met Zak, I thought he was a pompous, arrogant asshole. I was mostly right. But he was also much more than that. He was unexpectedly caring and compassionate. He made me laugh. He made my skin tingle and my heart swell with warmth. And fuck, he made my dick hard, too.
He was my fated mate.
I let out a long breath. But before I could say anything, Zak shot me a gaze that held me steady. "Kamari. I know what Nautilus said. But I want you to know that you don't have to do it, okay?"
