I blew out a shaky breath when she simply continued to sleep, her form peaceful and serene. “You’re going to be so pissed if you miss the birth of your firstborn.So damned pissed.”I choked on air and stared at my hand…where a strong thump pressed against my palm. My lips curved sadly as I watched my hand bump up and down from the movement inside her womb. “You will want to know this, Trixie. You’llwantto experience it. It’s beautiful.”
A tear freaking slipped from my left eye, cutting a burning path down my cheek as I looked back at her face. “Please.Pleasewake up soon.” I tensed for a second when a warm, large hand landed on my shoulder, and then I turned my face to the side and absently wiped my wet cheek on my soul mate’s hand, keeping my attention on the sleeping heir to my kingdom. “I have something I need to tell you too.” I chuckled under my breath, throatily and raw. “I met someone. You won’t believe the shit that’s happened.”
Leaning forward, I whispered conspiratorially, “I have a soul mate now.”
And…the entire room tensed.
As her eyelids fluttered.
I blinked and whispered quickly, “It’s Bishop. Can you believe that Fae shit?Andhe thinks you and King Athon might have been some kind of gateway to this craziness. Something about a seed and a flower.” I waited a moment and asked, “What say you, Trix?”
Her eyelids fluttered again.
The air in my lungs rushed out in a harsh gust. “That’s what I think. Apparently, shifter dick is now an elf’s favorite. You’ve started a trend, dear cousin. I think you may have done this on purpose just to spite me. No more pussy for the best looking elf in the kingdom.”
And…her lips curved up at the edges.
“Oh, sothatis what you think.” I leaned back, studied her tranquil, sleeping face, then lifted a white eyebrow and stated dryly, “You know what, my cousin. I’m going to let you finish getting your sleep. And I really hope I see your face when you wake up to the surprise waiting for you.”
I huffed and turned to look at the King of Shifters, his attention rapt on his soul mate. I stated clearly, “She’ll be fine. I give it a day or two more.” I glanced around the bed, searching for the artifact. “Where’s that bauble you spoke of?”
Mutely, the tiger shifter pointed to my cousin’s writing desk, not taking his eyes off her.
I patted my soul mate’s hand on my shoulder, saying, “Be a dear and get that for me, will you?”
Bishop arched an arrogant eyebrow, staring for an extended beat at my smug expression, but he did move to hand me the bauble.
I placed it carefully in her hands, arranging it over her Fae spark for quicker healing, and then kissed her forehead softly. Against her skin, I whispered, “Your soul mate is beside himself with worry for you. I never thought I’d say this, but you must wake up for him, too. I think the beast actually cares for you in his own savage way.” I kissed her forehead once more and slowly pulled back,seeing her forehead was now puckered with worry lines. “He’ll be fine until you wake. Do not fret over much. Rest and get better, Trix.”
I only stood from the bed when her face once again turned peaceful. I efficiently tucked the blanket around her, keeping her nice and warm, knowing she got cold easily.
Then I turned to face my soul mate, saying, “It’s time for breakfast, I believe. Would you like to go with me, or will you stay here?”
Bishop’s honey-brown eyes flicked from my face to my cousin’s, bouncing back and forth, before pinning me in place. “You truly think she’ll be awake soon?”
I snorted softly. “When she wakes normally, she makes these tiny expressions—as if she can hear you. And sometimes, she actually does and remembers it. My cousin’s always been this way. And she’s doing it now—only slower. It won’t be long before she’s up.”
“She can hear me now?” King Athon rumbled throatily—and fucking loudly. “Are you sure?”
I chuckled quietly and waved a hand at her face. “What do you think?” My cousin wasscowlingfiercely, her lips puckered like she wanted to talk back. “Mayhap talk softer until she wakes up. Do try not to scare her while she’s defenseless.”
Bishop grunted and glanced at me with shining, amused shifter eyes. “Let us go to breakfast, and leave my king to make nice to his slumbering soul mate. I’d rather not hear whatever simpering apology is about to come out of his mouth.”
I grinned and nodded. “Too true.”
* * *
There wasan unknown shifter at the breakfast table. I didn’t particularly like it, but I wasenduringit—because my king said so. I eyed the man across from me and asked bluntly, “What did you say your name was again?”
The golden-haired man sipped apple juice and murmured, “It’s Ula.”
I held his solid golden gaze coldly before turning my regard on my king once more. “And why is he here again?”
“Because I said so.” King Traevon didn’t even look up as he continued to place strawberry jam on his croissant. “For the third time.”
My gaze swung to my soul mate. “And you’ve never met him before?”
“I have not,” Bishop growled quietly, also eyeing the shifter distrustfully. “For the fifth time.”
