Ellard nodded at his questioning look.
“My salve will help with that.Apply each eve before you retire.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have trews that will fit you, but I can give you a robe.”
“Thanks,” Ellard said.
A tap sounded on the door, and it opened.
Ry stuck his head inside the cabin.“Shiloh commed.Said he had some clothes in Jannike’s cabin.”He handed over a pile of clothes.
“Thanks.”Ellard stepped closer and awkwardly accepted the pile of clothing.
Ry hesitated, then nodded and retreated, the door closing with a faint click.
“Do you require my help?”Mogens asked.
“No.”Ellard regretted his sharp tone when he uttered the word, but Mogens didn’t react.
“I will blend the salve.We’ll apply some before we arrive at Viros.”
Ellard struggled with the clothes, dressing taking him much longer than usual—a return to his time before the Stores installation.A heavy pressure slumped his shoulders and pushed against his mind.He’d been fooling himself.This was his future and he couldn’t inflict it on Gweneth.
Castle, Viros City
Gweneth strode into the castle with Ry, Nanu, Kaya, and Mogens, her mood one of anger and frustration.Ellard had ignored her once theIndylanded, and it had hurt.His stiff attitude had hurled her back to the horrid days at her father’s mansion on Ornum.The pain.The confusion.The humiliation.
Except this time, she didn’t have to accept the behavior.
No, she’d give him space, recuperate herself since her bones ached still, and she craved sleep.The next cycle, she’d run him to ground and give the stubborn, mule-headed male an ultimatum.She was not a toy or a convenience.Nor was she promiscuous or an idiot.She was, however, pissed and once she felt more herself, she’d hunt down the stubborn feline and give him her version of the truth.
Jannike hurried up to them, her hand cupped over her rounded stomach.Gweneth smiled inwardly at the protective gesture.Jannike might stomp and mutter about her pregnancy but she wanted this child.“Hurry,” she gasped out.“Camryn is having her baby.”
Ry cursed and went Incorporeal white.“Where?”
“The medical suite.”
Ry took off at a sprint, the rest of them hurrying after him.
“Why didn’t someone contact us?”Ry demanded.
“Camryn knew you were on the way, said it would take a while, and threatened to bite anyone who told you before you stepped foot in the castle,” Jannike said, her words coming out between puffs.
Gweneth forced herself to follow, excited about the impending arrival, yet her aching body and extreme fatigue stopped her from enjoying the occasion.The winding corridors, lined with tapestries and artwork, blurred, her focus on each footstep, theslap, slap, slapof her boots the one thing keeping her moving.
Finally, they arrived at the medical suite, a modern affair with pristine white walls.To the right, a small reception room, full of comfortable gel-chairs, a com unit, and a meal station waited for friends and relatives—in this case, the royal family or staff now that Lynx had stepped into the shoes of king.To the left, several males and females surrounded a surgical gel-bed.
A scream rippled through the air.Gweneth felt the pain, the anguish in the sound.Her nostrils flared, and she smelled the acrid scent of cleanser and medicines.She smelled fear and frowned at the unfamiliar scent—the heavy metallic weight of it as it coated her senses.
“Camryn,” Ry said, and he strode to the bed, pushing past the medical staff.
As one, they squawked, pointing at his clothes and their pristine masks and apparel.
Mogens hustled over to Ry, spoke in an undertone, and Ry reluctantly retreated.Both he and Mogens disappeared into a small alcove.
Unable to stand an instant longer, Gweneth wobbled to the nearest gel-chair and dropped onto it.
