They figured out pretty quickly that Serah doesn't need controlling. She just needs respect and space and the freedom to make her own choices. Revolutionary concepts, apparently.
"How's Lola doing?" I ask as we navigate the stone steps leading up to the family dwellings carved into the canyon wall.
Kaelen's entire expression transforms—softening into something so reverent it would be embarrassing if it wasn't so genuine. "Miserable. Zurkar says she's got maybe a month left, and she can barely sleep because the baby won't stop moving. Every time she settles down, it starts kicking."
"Active little thing."
"Takes after its mother." He grins, tusks gleaming. "Stubborn and restless and refusing to cooperate with reasonable expectations."
I laugh because it's true. Lola has been a force of nature during her pregnancy—refusing to stay in bed despite Mora's constant fussing, still helping in the healing chambers when Zurkar allows it, insisting she's perfectly capable of walking places despite Kaelen's obvious desire to carry her everywhere.
We reach Kaelen's parents' dwelling and find the door already open, voices drifting out into the corridor. Female laughter—Lola's bright and musical, Serah's lower and raspier but no less genuine. Then Mora's commanding tone cutting through both.
"You should be resting, Loleanne. Not running around the canyon like you're training for battle."
"I can't rest." Lola's voice carries exasperation. "If I lay down one more time, I'm going to lose my mind. I need fresh air and sunlight and to feel like I'm not just an incubator."
I exchange a glance with Kaelen that sayshere we gobefore we step inside.
The main living area is spacious and well-lit, carved from the canyon stone and decorated with furs and woven tapestries.Mora stands in the center with her hands on her hips—all six-foot-eight of her radiating maternal authority. Her vibrant green skin seems to glow in the afternoon light streaming through the windows, and her long black hair braided with silver strands falls past her waist.
Lola sits on the fur-covered bench looking mutinous despite being round with child. Her silver-blonde hair is pulled back from her delicate face, bright blue eyes defiant. One hand rests protectively on her swollen belly while the other grips the edge of the bench like she's ready to bolt at any moment.
Serah perches beside her, clearly trying not to laugh at the standoff. My mate has filled out beautifully over the past six months—no longer the gaunt, terrified woman I first touched in Zurkar's healing chambers. Her dark brown hair falls in thick waves past her shoulders, catching bronze undertones in the light. Those striking amber-hazel eyes find mine immediately, and the smile that curves her lips makes my chest tight with something that still feels too big for words.
Gorrak lounges near the brazier looking amused by the entire situation. My father-in-spirit has indeed softened over the months—his iron-grey hair and beard freshly trimmed, piercing red eyes less hostile when they land on the human women. He's even started joining us for meals occasionally, engaging Serah in discussions about herbal remedies and battle injuries that leave me wondering if he actually likes her or just respects her medical knowledge.
Probably both, knowing him.
"Kaelen," Mora says without turning. "Tell your mate she needs to rest."
"I'm not telling her anything." Kaelen moves immediately to Lola's side, settling on the bench and pulling her against his chest with careful tenderness. "She's been cooped up all morning. Fresh air sounds reasonable."
Mora's eyes narrow. "You're supposed to support me."
"I support my mate." He presses a kiss to the top of Lola's head. "And she's right. She can't stay in bed forever."
"A month," Mora mutters. "One more month and you can run wild all you want. But right now?—"
"A walk," Lola interrupts firmly. "Just a short walk to the river and back. Nothing strenuous."
Mora looks ready to argue, but Gorrak speaks up from his position near the brazier. "Let the girl breathe, Mora. You were the same way when you were carrying Kaelen. Drove me half mad with your insistence on maintaining normal activities."
"That was different." But Mora's tone has softened slightly. "I wasn't as far along."
"You were further along," Gorrak counters. "And you climbed the canyon walls to reach the upper gardens despite my protests."
Serah catches my eye and mouthshelp, clearly desperate to escape before Mora turns her maternal focus entirely onto us. I grin and step forward, injecting cheerful energy into my voice.
"A walk sounds perfect. Beautiful day for it. We'll all go—safety in numbers and all that."
Mora sighs in defeat. "Fine. But at the first sign of fatigue, we're turning back."
"Agreed." Lola is already struggling to her feet with Kaelen's assistance. "Thank you."
We file out of the dwelling and make our way through the canyon settlement toward the river path. Kaelen keeps one hand on Lola's lower back, steadying her over the uneven ground. Gorrak and Mora follow behind, arguing good-naturedly about past pregnancy adventures. Serah walks beside me, her shoulder occasionally bumping mine in that casual contact that still makes warmth flood through my chest.
I lean down and murmur against her ear. "Have you told them yet?"
