Chapter 16
Eight cycles later, Gweneth’s suite
SheerashimmeredintoGweneth’ssuite, startling a squeak from Gweneth.She pressed her palm against her pounding heart and glared at the Incorporeal woman.
“New rule,” she said with a distinct edge to her tone.“You and Leeam are welcome to visit me at any time, but you must shimmer your arrival outside my door and knock for admittance.This is my private space.You must do the same for all of us.Knock for admittance, and if we come to visit you in your suite, we will do the same.Clear?”
Some of Sheera’s good humor faded and she started to vanish.
Gweneth grabbed her arm.“Stay.I am not feeling well, and I’m grumpy.”
Sheera solidified again.“I’m sorry.You’re right of course.Leeam and I will remember our manners in the future.What is wrong with you?Can I help?”
“Keep me company until Mogens arrives.I commed him, and he said he’d drop by after he checks on Camryn.”
Sheera gave a wide smile.“The babies are beautiful.”
“I know.They are healthy.I hope Camryn recovers soon.Ry is worried and snapping at everyone.”She made a moue with her lips.“It must be catchy.”Her stomach roiled without warning and she made a run for the sanitizer room.
The small amount of food she’d managed to eat after rising came back up.Her stomach muscles heaved, her throat burned as she lost her breakfast.Gweneth wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and straightened with a sigh.Even that hurt.
“Mogens is here,” Sheera sang out.
“Let him inside,” Gweneth croaked.“I won’t be a min.”
Gweneth gripped the hard edge of the sanitizer unit and stared into the looking glass.The paleness of her features brought to mind a healthy Incorporeal.Pale with an underlying pinkness.
Her stomach did a shimmery dance again, and she froze, wondering if she should dare move.
“Gweneth?”Mogens’ footsteps approached.“Sheera said you aren’t well.”
“Is Sheera still here?”
“No, she shimmered out to meet Leeam in the gardens once I arrived.”He shook his head, his pale gray features alive with good cheer.“They are so young and full of enthusiasm.I am glad you were able to save them.”
“Me too,” Gweneth croaked, the writhing of her stomach too much for her.She vomited again.
“Ah,” said Mogens.“I begin to suspect the nature of your illness.”
“Can you fix me?This is the third morn I’ve been sick.It’s weird because I only get sick in the morn.By eve, I’m hungry and able to eat.”
“’Tis as I expected, child.Wash your face and rinse out your mouth.I’ll be in your relaxation room when you’re ready, and we will talk.”
Gweneth sucked in a deep breath and followed Mogens’s instructions.“Is it something serious?”
“I suspect you are pregnant.”
The verbal punch had her clutching her chest, struggling to breathe.He…he… Pregnant?She couldn’t be.“I used your birth control tonics.You know that.”
“Yes, but you and Ellard created sexual energy to keep Leeam and Sheera alive.”
Gweneth swallowed, Ellard’s recent behavior another hard slap to her equilibrium.“Um, yes?But that wasn’t long ago.Should I be having this sickness already?”
“Let me analyze a blood sample to confirm, but I’m fairly certain.The morning sickness is another feline shifter peculiarity, since it occurs almost straightaway.I believe the sickness doesn’t occur until at least week six in humans.That is what Camryn’s sister-in-law told me during our Earth visit.”Mogens opened his satchel and competently took the sample.He placed the vial containing her blood inside a protective vessel and closed his satchel.“I will have confirmation in two cycle portions.”
Gweneth nodded and sank onto her favorite gel-chair, no longer able to support her weight on her shaky legs.
“It will be all right, child.”Mogens patted her shoulder.
