Page 47 of Twins for the Barbarians

He offers a dry, cold smile. “Despite this crown, I’m still a man of science. I’ve sworn an oath to care for the sick, and you’re also a guest in my palace, Alicia. It is my duty to look after you.”

“You know little to nothing about human biology,” I shoot back.

“But I do recognize certain signs,” he says. “They’re the same across all species. Now, this will feel cold to the touch,” he adds, coming closer with the device. There’s a screen next to my bed. The image is black and grainy. “I need to have a look at your womb.”

“I’m not sure—”

“Alicia, I think we both know what the problem is here. I noticed you’ve been eating for two.” Solomon chuckles nervously. “And I assume your men aren’t aware yet of your condition.”

I gasp as the cool device touches my naked belly. My blouse is pulled up, but my skirt is where it’s supposed to be, a warm blanket covering my legs.

“I apologize for the discomfort,” Solomon says, his eyes on the screen as he moves the device around, “but I need to take a look. Ah, there it is.”

“What?”

I follow his gaze, trying to understand the blobs on the monitor. But the more he looks, the more uncomfortable Solomon seems to get. The more displeased.

“There are two of them,” he mutters. “Twins.”

“I’m pregnant,” I whisper, unsure of how I should feel about having this suspicion finally confirmed. Then his last word hits me in the head like a hammer. “Wait, you said twins?”

“You’re carrying twins.”

“Hybrid twins,” I mumble.

My heart overflows with a plethora of contradictory emotions: elation, concern, excitement, dread. But above all, fear reigns supreme. The minute Helios and Kharo learn about this, I’m done for. Their fatherly instincts will kick in, and they’ll do everything in their power to get me as far away from this place as possible. At the slightest hint of danger, they will take me away, and I don’t want that to happen. I haven’t yet found the evidence I need about the origins of the plague. Our mission is far from over.

“Yes, you’re pregnant with twins,” Solomon says again, and his discontent is starting to get on my nerves.

“Why are you saying it like it’s a problem?”

“No reason, nothing at all. I suppose congratulations are in order,” he replies, giving me a faded smile. “I’m sure Helios and Kharo will be delighted to hear the news.”

I shake my head slowly. “I thought pregnancies were celebrated on Sunna, yet you don’t seem too happy about mine, Your Grace?”

“Oh, no, I’m thrilled for you,” he replies, working hard to sound more upbeat than he actually is. “I’m just worried about how we will manage your condition, how you will manage your condition, specifically, when you leave Opal City. From what you’ve told me, the Sky Tribe people will stop at nothing to get their filthy paws on you, especially if you’re with child. You barely made it down here, Alicia. How will you fare on your way back?”

That’s a good question. But it’s too early to worry about that. I still have work to do. “So my fainting was pregnancy-related?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Most likely, yes,” Solomon replies. “Your blood tests seem normal. Kingo was kind enough to confirm some parameters for me before I sent him on his way. I’ve never had a human patient before, so I wanted to make sure I had my basics straight, at least.”

“It is greatly appreciated, Your Grace,” I say, then look at the screen again.

I recognize the blobs now, two tiny pearls in the middle of the screen, two droplets of life currently growing in my womb. I should be happy, yet I am scared; scared for those little ones, scared for myself, scared for Helios and Kharo, too. This is literally the worst time for me to get pregnant, but it’s not like we can put this genie back in the bottle. So what do I do now? How do I manage this situation without jeopardizing the mission? My needs cannot take center stage when we’re trying to save a whole fucking planet.

“Your Grace, may I ask a favor of you?”

“What is it?” he replies, eyeing me curiously.

“Might we keep my pregnancy between us?” I ask, “at least for a few more days. I need to immediately. Protecting my unborn children will outweigh any other goals of our mission.”

“As it should be,” Solomon agrees.

I nod once. “As it should be, but I’m not ready to leave yet. I haven’t even made it to Kaos. There’s so much for me to discover, so much for me to still investigate.”

Solomon thinks about it for a moment, then sets the device aside and offers me a glass of fresh water. “Have you made any progress in your investigations?” he asks, his voice a tad lower than usual.

“Not as much as I would like,” I lie easily. “But I know we’ll get more if we keep digging. I won’t be able to do that if Helios and Kharo learn that I’m pregnant. All I ask is your discretion for a few more days, and I promise to take better care of myself.”

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