Well, now, hell. Bindi had told me the procedure wasn’t one hundred percent effective. It was better than a condom, but there was still that less than one percent chance. So, how to phrase it? I petted Clyde absently, thinking quickly. “The man I’m sleeping with didn’t go bat shit crazy when he smelled me, and I was able to shift into my wolf today.”
His eyebrows puckered. “I don’t know how much you know about conception, honey, but sperm can live inside you for up to five days. You may have ovulated today and the egg fertilized after he scented you and your shift.” Okay, my face was flaming by now, my wolf receding. “Have you had sex in the last five days?”
My lips pinched, not looking at anyone. “I’m not pregnant.”
King Fergus stated, “Our women often become absent-minded when pregnant…and you most definitely were a moment ago. And you did just get into a fight. With you miscarrying recently, it’s better to be safe than sorry.” And he meant it kindly, too, by his tone. Damn him.
King Kincaid stated, “Just answer the question.”
Rubbing my forehead, cheeks flaming brightly, I muttered, “Yes, I’ve had sex in the past five days.”
King Kincaid murmured, “Truth.” A pause. “Was it protected?”
Oh, for the love of God! Instantly, I thrust my finger across the table in Ezra’s general direction, stating heatedly, “Just bite me and tell these people I’m not pregnant.”
King Kincaid sighed. “Honey, you really should have your partner wear a condom.”
The table was looking better and better to bang my head against. I waggled my pointed index finger and stole a quick glance at Ezra, who was sitting frozen, his heartbeat thumping so loudly in my ears I was surprised everyone in here couldn’t hear it. “Come on, Ezra. I’m not pregnant and this is getting to be a bit much.” I paused. “Or I can prove I’m not pregnant by stripping down right here and now to shift.”
Ezra swallowed, then his boots fell heavily to the floor from the table. He nodded. “Alright, I’ll do the blood test.” Yeah, he didn’t want me getting naked in front of Elder Merrick. Bending over the table, he used his free hand not holding Bonnie to hold my extended hand. He lowered his head, fangs descended, and his lips closed over my finger. His fang pierced my skin, and when he pulled I felt a wave of light comfort wash over me, my shoulders drooping and nerves relaxing with the gentle mind hold. As before, he grazed the tip of my finger with his tongue before pulling it from his mouth. And like before, he kept his head down as he swirled my blood in his mouth, slowly swallowing.
I heard the answer first in his heartbeat, which immediately slowed, before he sighed, shaking his head as he sat back in his chair. “She’s not pregnant.”
“Truth,” Elder Merrick stated, sounding bewildered.
King Kincaid pointed a finger at me. “Condoms, Lily.” His eyebrows rose. “Understand?”
I bit my lip because it was so damn hard not to bust up from the absurdity. “I understand.”
He shook his head. “Say you will.”
“I will.” To what, wasn’t said.
King Kincaid nodded. “Truth.” I could have sworn I heard King Venclaire chuckle, a few heads even turning his way, but King Kincaid either chose to ignore him or didn’t hear it. “Now, shall we get on with this?”
I nodded, and as best I could, I pushed aside my thoughts of Ezra. Rolling Dominic’s ring around my fingers, I stared at it. Right along with all that new hope and fear inside me, I also felt peace as I examined it. Peace at moving on. Smiling softly, I lifted the ring to my lips, kissing it gently. This was it. I slipped the Prodigy ring onto my pinkie. It hung way too large on my finger for only two beats of my heart before I watched it mold to my finger.
Goodbye, Dominic.
King Kincaid made a soft sound in his throat before whispering, “You had never put it on before.”
As I stared at the ring, the last of my mate gone to me but my Core amazingly peaceful, I realized that for a while it had been time for this. I was strong — had been for some time — the weight no longer so heavy that I couldn’t take a step forward. Using my other index finger, I turned the ring so the wolf was facing up. My life stared me in the face.
I glanced up at King Kincaid, who was wiping away a tear he couldn’t stop from falling, and I smiled. “Are you going to name me Queen now or are you going to hoard the ring because I broke your ribs earlier?” Yes, it was past the time.
He sniffed hard, trying to make it look like an act of irritation even though I was positive he just had the sniffles. He took my hand, making the action look rough even though it was gentle, and I barely caught Clyde before he launched at him.
“Hold on.” I took my hand back, grabbed Clyde with both hands, and lifted him. “Ezra, can you take him?”
“Sure.” Ezra’s voice was deeper than normal as he reached across the table, nostrils flared. His fingers deliberately ran over my own as he lifted Clyde from me. Green eyes captured mine. “You’ve found your solace?”
My smile was genuine. “I have.”