“Friends …” Stella frowned. “After what happened, no one will talk to me anymore. I guess they weren’t really my friends. No one wants to be seen with the woman who angered the princess either.”
Lucie frowned. “Well, they obviously weren’t real friends.”
“Yeah, I guess not.” Stella raised her gaze to Lucie, and her bottom lip quivered. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any harm. I just didn’t want to be pressured into sleeping with others.”
“It’s all water under the bridge. Let’s move past this, okay? I want us to get along and be friends.”
“I would like that very much.” Stella smiled up at her.
“Good. From now on, just call me Lucie, and no more bowing.” Lucie giggled and winked at her.
She wasn’t sure what happened, but suddenly the world blurred and everything seemed to spin. As if she was in a funhouse, the land swirled together as a wave of exhaustion hit her.
She felt Abe’s arms around her, steadying her, as Justice closed the distance between them quickly.
“Lucie? Are you alright?” Justice asked, taking her face in his hands. Her body started swaying unnaturally again and Abe pulled her against him to stabilize her.
The dizziness continued to beat against her, and she had to lean against Abe. She was losing the strength to stand on her own.
“Justice, go get Derrick. I’m taking Lucie inside.” Abe teleported Lucie back into her bedroom. “Are you alright?”
The world kept spinning around her, and her eyelids were becoming heavy. It was like a huge wave of exhaustion had seized her. She couldn’t even form coherent thoughts as her mind started shutting down on her. Her vision began to tunnel, and she blinked hard, trying to restore her sight.
“Lucie?” Abe eased her onto the couch and knelt by her side. “What are you feeling? Did something happen? Did she say something?”
“Tired …” Lucie whispered as she fought to keep her eyes open.
Abe nodded his head slowly and placed his hand on her forehead. “Yes. I can see the little light has become stronger.”
Little light? Lucie flicked her gaze up at Abe, who had a faint smile on his face. “It was just a tiny light that day of the ball, which is why I wouldn’t let Derrick give you the vervain. But the light has grown and is sucking the energy out of you.”
“Oh my goodness … because I am a fairy princess now. So how is that all going to work? Oh my gosh! And why didn’t you tell me?” She dropped her hands to her stomach, a surge of excitement flowing through her, holding the fatigue at bay.
“Ha ha, sorry. I was curious how long it would take for you to notice. Honestly, it’s much quicker than I’d imagined. As far as the princess thing … perhaps things have been forever changed now. Maybe there will always be another fairy princess. Another type of self-preservation, perhaps? You’ll have to ask your grandmother, but I imagine the burden will still be on Alexa and her child. But if Alexa never has an heir …” Abe watched as Lucie closed her eyes.
“So I’m going to be trapped beside Derrick just like all the other fairy princesses with their mates?”
Light flashed in Abe’s eyes. “Well, the difference with you is you have a servant. I can feed you my energy as a minor supplement, which is why you’re still awake right now.”
“Oh, I thought it was from my excitement.” Lucie chuckled. “Thank you.”
“Do you want me to put a mental block up before your prince arrives? Or do you just want me to sneak out of here and stop the others from entering? I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled. This is also huge news for the vampires, to have a new heir already brewing inside you.”
“Oh goodness. But this will be a daughter promised to the fairy kingdom. Until Alexa at least has her daughter …”
Abe cleared his throat and stood up. “Well, I guess you and Derrick will just have to have more children. I think you two can work out those details.” He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.
“Don’t worry about blocking anything. I want him to know. Besides, he will be in a massive panic. It’ll be easier if he can just read my thoughts.”
“I think that’s the best move in this situation. I’ll just be waiting right outside. He’ll be here in a few seconds.” Abe chuckled as he heard frantic running through the castle. Just as he opened the door, Derrick appeared, along with Jasper and Justice. “Go on in, Derrick. I need to speak with you two.” He allowed just enough room for Derrick to squeeze through before shutting the others out. He would explain to them so they didn’t worry, but this should be a private moment for the couple.
Derrick rushed to Lucie blindly and froze right in front of her. He dropped to his knees as his eyes began to water up. Inching closer, he placed his hand on her belly and leaned his forehead into hers. This moment was everything. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. This happened sooner than he’d expected, but he couldn’t help the joy he felt. Their joined happiness bonded them even more. This was what they’d created from their love. The little energy growing inside Lucie.
“I never think I can love you more and yet you continue to make me burst for you. I’ve never been this full inside in my life.” Derrick kissed her forehead. “I love you, my little mate…” He rubbed her gently and moved his head down to kiss her stomach. “And you too, my little love.”
CHAPTER 69
The kingdom had thrown a massive celebration in honor of the future heir to the vampire kingdom, and Lucie had spent most of it trying to convince people she wasn’t made of glass. Hunter, Freja, and Lita had stopped by a couple of days ago, which had been chaos in the best way. She’d gotten the update she’d been waiting for: Aedan and Deeana were doing okay. Deeana was still adjusting to her new life, and the two of them had finally told the Black Ice Pack about being lycans. Apparently the pack was thrilled, practically throwing a parade over what lycan leaders meant for the werewolves’ future.Good. At least one of us has figured out how to break big news without the room catching fire.
