I finished my exercises in the pool, disturbed by the desperation that had been stamped on Liam’s face. There was also the sudden absence of the guards, and Darynda. And, well, there was the fact that five minutes after Liam had sifted out, they’d all returned together.
They’d known. I kept the fact that I knew that they knew to myself. I waited until I was back inside my bedroom to excuse myself from Darynda, and entered Ryder’s room—to find him leaning against a wall, bathed in shadows.
“Nice try,” I said, stopping just inside the threshold. I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling a slight chill from the window he had opened.
“Hmm?” he made the noise from between his full lips.
“Liam was here, but then you knew that already,” I accused. He’d set me up!
“I always know when someone sifts inside my stronghold. He was allowed inside. He was also allowed to leave. I am aware of everything that goes on inside these walls, Pet.”
“Why? Why allow him in; to see how faithful I was?” I was done being nice, he’d actually set me up to test me. I’d passed, but he had no idea how much in love with him I was.
“I needed him to see that you were unharmed so that he could return and report it to your family. I wanted him to see that he couldn’t take my concubine without breaking the contract. Liam is a warrior, and he needed to see with his own eyes, and hear with his own ears that you are mine. I respect him. The entire time he was a guest here, he never begged for mercy, and he never complained.”
“A guest? You cut his hands off and sent them to my parents! If that’s how you treat your guests, then I’m afraid to see what you do to your enemies.” I rolled my eyes at his flippant comment concerning my brother.
“Liam was in my father’s custody for years. He’d already been caged, and tortured when I found him rotting in the dungeon. I took his hands, yes, but only because your parents refused my offer. Synthia, I did what I had to do in order to get you. I don’t regret what I did, nor do I regret the fact that I have you here now.”
“As your concubine,” I growled.
“I’ll take you however I can get you,” he answered with a grin that I could see even through the shadows that bathed his face.
“I thought you were out patrolling the borders?”
“I was, earlier. I got word that the Mages had moved their encampment; they’d been tipped off by someone. They have someone inside the walls of this kingdom, or close to it, helping them. Most likely it is Dresden. He’s not happy that he is no longer in the favor of the Horde King. My father was of the same ilk, not me. His challenge has been issued, as well as many others. Your brother told you as much. Did he not?” He finished and stepped from the shadows. “How are you feeling?”
I narrowed my eyes on him coldly. “Like I should throw up on your shoes.” I was tired of the games. “Next time, Ryder, if you want them to see me, just invite them in. Stop with the fucking Fae games, or just keep me out of them.”
“We found another relic; one we can get to,” he said, smoothly changing the subject. “I leave in the morning to get it.”
“I’m going with you,” I said, meeting his golden stare.
“No, you are staying put.”
“I’m pregnant, Ryder. I’m not made of glass. I am going with you. If it gets dangerous, I’ll leave. I won’t let anything happen to our child.”
His eyes lowered to my flat stomach. “Our child,” he tested the words on his tongue.
“I’m going,” I repeated.
“I’d rather you stay here where it is safe for you both.”
“I’d rather be with you,” I protested, making sure to stand my ground.
“Fine, but you need to be cleared by Eliran before you can go,” he growled and pinned me with an angry look.
“Fine,” I chirped triumphantly.
“Fine,” he said on an exasperated sigh. He held his hand out, and I quickly accepted it. He sifted us into the medical ward, which was where Eliran could normally be found. We’d been there less than twenty seconds before Ryder started bellowing orders. “Eliran, now!”
“You don’t have to shout,” I muttered.
“Synthia! The medicine not working?” Eliran rounded the corner with his hair sticking up as if he’d been resting, or worse, feeding before we’d so rudely interrupted.
“They are working wonders,” I smiled and thanked him. In a matter of moments, I ended up on a table next to one of the 3D ultrasound machines. From the looks of it, Eliran had been busy back in the human world.
“This is going to be cold,” he said before squeezing a container that looked like something ketchup would come out of over my stomach. I rested my head on my arm as I got comfortable.
He placed the globe looking wand over my stomach and pressed in gently. I watched the monitor silently as he moved it up and down until he stopped and flipped on a switch. The noise coming through it sounded like static.
“That’s the heartbeat,” he replied to my silent question.
Heat flushed through me and my eyes swung to Ryder’s with a grin from ear to ear covering my lips. My baby had a heartbeat!
“Oh, crap,” Eliran said.