“It…this didn’t hurt the babies, did it?” he asked hesitantly, sitting on the edge of the bed, hand hovering over her stomach. “We didn’t talk about that after what happened with Rhadamanthus.”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head slowly, joining him on the bed. “I don’t know,” I replied honestly, focusing on her belly. My heart thundered as I listened for the racingheartbeats of the two foetuses growing inside of her. “They sound…normal.”
Even though I’d always removed myself from pregnancies, I still knew the difference between a healthy heartbeat and a sick one. It wasn’t my specialty, and the only reason I knew was because of basic training.
Nash scrubbed a hand through his hair again before dropping his head into his hands. “This was not how I thought it would be,” he muttered. “But thank you for coming in.”
I nodded once, tensing as Ivy shifted. It was the first movement she’d made since I’d entered the room. Her hand moved to her stomach as she rolled onto her back, brows pinched together like she was in a dream.
We both stilled as we watched her, waiting for any sign that she would wake. My emotions were as fierce and unregulated as the ocean crashing against the shores of the island. My stability was with her, and since her return, I hadn’t found my footing again. Couldn’t get a hold of all the things I should have been in control of.
I could still smell the rotten blood belonging to Hyperion on my hands. Taste it as I ripped into his flesh to get my answers. Over and over again. Whenever I looked at her, I saw what I failed to do.
I couldn’t protect her. Couldn’t give her peace.
She was strong—so much stronger than I ever was. She never caved, never gave into the fear.
But she was home again. I also had to remind myself that she’d gotten herself out.
“You okay there, Grey?” Nash asked, tension lining his voice.
I felt the bite of my fangs against my lower lip as I tore my eyes off my restless mate. “What?”
The male’s stare dropped to my lips before meeting my gaze again. “Fangs.”
I ran my tongue over the points before forcing them back. “I apologise. It’s been a while since I fed comfortably.” Withoutmeaning to, my stare went back to her. To the memory of my last real feeding with her.
Tasting her as she came had been sweet, like the nectar of the Gods. Hearing her cries of pleasure while I’d shared her with Elias awoke something I never truly expected. It had me wondering what it would be like to share her again, to feed endlessly from her while she experienced pleasure with her other mates.
But I wouldn’t touch her while she was with child. Couldn’t bring myself to. I knew I couldn’t hurt her. It was impossible. But what if I accidentally hurt them?
I knew realistically there was no basis to my fear. Nothing about it made sense.
And yet I couldn’t think about it without wonderingwhat if I slipped?
“Do you need more blood?” the half-Fae asked, neither curious nor accusatory. It was a level question, one that should have had an easy answer.
I shook my head. “Not yet. Not until I know she’s awake.”
From the corner of my eye, I noticed him nod. “I get it.” He turned to her, too. And together we watched Ivy sleep through the remnants of her bond.
I feltthe pull of sleep but fought against it when Ivy shifted. A soft sound fell from her lips as she opened her eyes.
Morning sun, half doused by the dark clouds hanging over the ocean, peeked through the open windows, drenching her in a soft, golden light. Beneath the blanket Nash had pulled around her, Ivy was completely naked, and that revealed itself when she moved her arms.
“Oh,” she yawned tiredly, cheeks turning pink. “Hey.”
I smiled, the feeling becoming more natural the longer I spent with her. “Good morning,a mhuirnín.”
Ivy matched my smile with one of her soft, radiant ones asshe sat up. Beside her, sleeping atop the covers, Nash stirred, but didn’t wake.
I was almost thankful for that, especially as I got the chance to drink her in; colour sweetened her milky flesh, and as the blanket slipped down her chest, I couldn’t stop myself from admiring her chest.
“Careful,” she said, voice groggy. “You look like you’re about to eat me.”
I tore my eyes from her breasts, meeting her amused stare. “Not yet.”
The smile widened. “What are you doing in here?”
