Shiloh glanced at him, frowned.“What’s wrong?”
“Gweneth is pregnant.”
“What?How?”
Ellard barked out a laugh.“The usual way.”
“Birth control?”
“She took birth control,” Ellard said.“At least, that is what she told me.”
“What’s the problem?You love her.Even I can see you love her.I saw the two of you together.”Shiloh’s brows drew together.“Wait.What did you do?”
“I told her I held no interest in pursuing a relationship with her.”
“What?”Shiloh shut his mouth with a click.“Why would you do that?She’s been chasing after you since she first arrived on Viros.I’ve seen you looking back.”
Ellard swallowed to rid himself of the lump that had taken up residence in his throat.“Look at me.I’m nothing to look at, and I’ve lost my arm.I can’t hold a kitten—not easily.It takes me longer to get things done.I’m handicapped, and I don’t want to put that extra pressure on a relationship.When I had my Stores it wasn’t so bad, but now…”
“Rotten luck losing your Stores.”Shiloh clapped him over the back.“But you’re still alive.Don’t let Father’s prophecy become true.”
Ellard pulled his face.The instant he’d lost his arm, his father had wanted Jarlath to replace him with an able-bodied soldier.Jarlath had refused and forced Ellard back to the land of the living.Ellard snorted inwardly.He’d become stubborn and believed his life over, but Jarlath hadn’t put up with his sorry-for-me attitude.“I did save the girl.That has to count for something.”
Shiloh grinned, and for an instant, Ellard felt transported back to their childhood.He’d been the sensible one while Shiloh, aided by Lynx, had created trouble and chaos.“You helped the girl become pregnant.What are you going to do?”
“I want—she’s my mate.I know this, but how can I saddle her with my problems?”
“Look at it this way, Ellard.What would you do if another male came along and wanted her?”
A savage growl escaped him, shocking him with its intensity.
“Your answer,” Shiloh said lightly.“You want the child?”
“Yes.”He never hesitated, which gave him pause.
“You need to woo her.Apologize and become her mate.”
Ellard snorted.“You make it sound easy.”
“Wooing a mate is never easy, but the heartache and uncertainty is worth every stressful sec.”
Ellard turned and stalked back toward the castle.
“Where are you going?”
“To start my wooing.”
“Women like flowers,” Shiloh called after him.“You could pick some before you go back inside.”
Ellard halted.“I might need help.”
Shiloh sketched a bow.“At your service, brother.”
Flowers picked, Ellard caught his breath as he knocked on Gweneth’s suite door.The scent of the brocken flowers filled the air, sweet and fragrant, their white petals and red throats contrasting against the pale pink fern leaves.He hoped Gweneth would enjoy them.He juggled the flowers and awkwardly knocked with his foot again.
Sheera opened the door.“Come in.What pretty flowers.”
“They’re for Gweneth.”
