“We don’t want you to worry about that, the hormones. Don’t try to curb your emotions or wonder if you’re being irrational. You’re pregnant with an Unseen child. Those pregnancies are always more difficult than a human pregnancy. The hormones seem to be wilder. Just feel how you feel and don’t apologize for it.”
“We can handle it, Riley.” Axoular squeezed my shoulder and Anthony took my hand.
He had his eyes on Axo’s hand but didn’t seem upset by the gesture.
“Well, I’m not going to argue with that. Ihavebeen worrying over absolutely everything, and it'll be nice to have at least that one thing off my fret list.” My relief at not having to curb my emotions was overwhelming and tears leaked from my eyes. “I’m sorry, it’s still the hormones.”
Anthony laughed and pulled me close. “Not much longer now, Coya. Do you feel like a nap?”
I smiled and nodded my head gratefully. A nap sounded wonderful. He took my hand and we walked slowly up the grand staircase to the bedrooms. My bare feet sunk in the plush carpet.
Tammy and Danyelus had the master suite, but given there were three of us, they’d renovated and combined three of the bedrooms on the right side of the hallway. We had our own bathroom and den, as well as a spacious sleeping area. Anthony joined me, pulling down the comforter and top sheet so I could slide into the crisp, fragrant bed.
“There’s nothing like clean sheets,” I said with a sigh, my eyes already closing.
He wrapped his arms around me from behind and I felt his head nod. “You are absolutely right.”
***
I woke gently, my mind peaceful and calm. Before I opened my eyes I stretched and languished in the warm bed.
“I love you.” Elias’s voice sent shock waves through me.
I was surprised and pleased at how thrilled I was to find him lying on the covers beside me. “I love you, too,” I whispered. “You’re back early?”
“I couldn’t stay away.” He smoothed my hair, no doubt a rat’s nest from the nap. “I hated the way we left things.”
“So did I.” I turned my cheek, so it rubbed against his hand. “Let’s go away this weekend, just you and me.”
“That sounds amazing.”
I stretched forward with my lips puckered.
He chuckled low in his throat, but ignored my outstretched lips, instead scooting close and nuzzling my neck. “How much longer?”
I moaned. “Four days.”
“That’s too long.” He nipped my neck playfully. “But I’ll survive. I don’t want little Elias Junior coming too early.”
“This weekend will be perfect, but Anthony might be jealous. Maybe he can follow us down to the house the second day.”
After giving me a long, toe-curling kiss, Elias sat up. “Sounds great. Do you need me to plan anything?”
“No, we’ll just go spend a few days at my house.”
Elias shook his head. “I don’t think so, Riley. First of all, the house has too many bad memories. When are you going to let me clean it out for you?”
“When I’m ready, I’ll tell you.” I grimaced. I had no idea when I’d actually be ready to go through Michael’s belongings.
“Right, then. We can talk about that again after we go away. We’re going somewhere relaxing, and private. Leave it to me. Just be ready when I tell you.”
I chuckled at his excitement and hated to bring him back to Earth. “Don’t forget I can’t fly, and we really need to stay within a thirty-minute drive of the hospital in case I go into early labor.”
He stiffened. “Riley, you can’t have the baby in a hospital.”
His words knocked the air out of me.
Of course, I couldn’t. What if the baby’s dragon genes dominated and he burst into flame as soon as he was born? Or if he was a Shapeshifter, who knew what he’d look like at birth. We had no idea what a Shapeshifter’s true form was.
