A few days went by at somewhat of an easy pace while I spent my time passing the endless hours in the bedroom with Adam. Darynda had been great through it all—including the one fit I’d thrown when Ryder had left to go scouting with his men.
I was going stir crazy and had never been one to be idle. Ryder seemed to think that I would be meek and timid now that he had become the Horde King, and I was pregnant with his heir. Yeah, right…so not going to happen!
Today I had asked Darynda to find a swimsuit, and since she didn’t seem to understand what I was looking for, she was currently out trying to find someone who could do just that. It wasn’t until Zahruk came to the door that I groaned.
“I was informed you were in need of swim wear?” He asked, scanning the room before he pushed through the threshold and smiled.
I crossed my arms over my chest and leveled him with a narrow eyed gaze. “I am, I’m tired of sitting in a room and watching the clock tick by until Ryder allows me out to play.”
“Allows you out to play? You have free reign of the pavilion. No one can get in or out of it without us knowing. You were kept here because Ryder was worried about your comfort.”
“Just dress me up and let me out.”
“As you wish.” Zahruk bowed his dark blonde head and flashed me with his electric blue eyes. I felt his magic cut through the air, as a simple blue bikini replaced my skirt and top. He nodded, but before he turned to walk away, a simple white cover of sheer silk was wrapped around my form.
“Thanks,” I mumbled and watched his wide back as he walked away.
“Ready?” Darynda chimed in with a brilliant smile as she returned.
In the pavilion there were women sitting around doing different activities together—or there was, until we walked in. Every eye in the place turned in our direction as we entered, followed closely by Sinjinn and Aodhan.
I smiled and ignored the dirty looks the group gathered around Claire tossed at me. She’d been nice when we’d first met, but I was willing to bet it was because she hadn’t planned on me sticking around long.
“Flower,” Ristan said as he sifted in beside me.
“Demon,” I tossed over my shoulder as I continued to the pool.
“I take it this isn’t for relaxation?”
“I need to stay in shape, and sitting in a bedroom won’t do that,” I replied as we entered the back of the pavilion where a more private pool was. They had three pools. One for the children, which, I’d only saw a few of them so far. Another was in the main room and was full of women splashing and playing around in the nude—no wonder Darynda was having a tough time with the idea of the swimsuit.
I was still a bit miffed that the first time I had seen the pavilion, I had no idea I was in the Horde Realm.
I’d chosen this one because it was currently empty, so I could swim paces and work at keeping my physical form in shape. Baby or no baby, I was a warrior and that wasn’t changing due to a mommy status being stamped on my forehead.
“Sooo, I take it you are a bit restless?” he ventured.
“Brilliant deduction, Sherlock,” I gritted out. He smiled annoyingly at me.
“I’ll see what we can do about providing some adequate entertainment for you.”
“Like spin the Fairy? Pin the tail on the Demon?” I snapped.
“Oh, ouch! Touché, Princess. I’ll keep in mind to manifest a few bottles, and a donkey for you. Wouldn’t want to end up with a tail pinned to my ass, now would I?” He slid his hands to his butt protectively for a moment. “I was actually thinking of the libraries, and getting you acclimated with our history, seeing that sparring and weaponry are off your schedule for right now,” he went on mischievously. I looked at him gratefully.
“I would prefer the sparring, and sticking a certain Fairy with a dagger has a nice appeal to it. Okay, the libraries would be a nice change. Please?” I gave him the pleading puppy eyes, and he laughed. At least that would go a long way to relieving some of the boredom.
I shook out of the silk cover and let it slide to the floor effortlessly. Ristan and the men quietly left the poolside room, leaving Darynda and myself alone. I sat down and let my feet slip into the cool water. Obviously, this wasn’t one of the heated pools.
I let the stress run off of me as I let the water calm the racing of my heart. It hadn’t slowed down any since Transition, and everything was moving entirely too fast. I’d been devastated at the thought of losing Ryder when they’d said I was the missing Light Heir.