Page 109 of Haunted

“Tiny speck?” She cocks her head. She’s oblivious.

I give her a hint. “It blinked into existence last night. Like a jolt through my system. You were so dead asleep I guess you didn’t feel it.”

She stops breathing and then steps over the covers toward me. Her foot catches on a blanket. “You mean—”

“Niawen, please tell me you see it—I mean, him or her. Please tell me. I’m bursting here. Look inside yourself.”

“You’ve blindsided me. I can’t think. Tone your enthusiasm down.” She covers her stomach with both hands. “I see it! Caedryn, I see it!” She bounces and then trips forward into my arms.

I catch her and pull her tight to me. “You have an inkling of panic. It’s all right, my love. I know we didn’t talk about this. I’m shocked, but I’m beyond happy.”

I kiss her and hear, Our child. We’re having a child.

Her legs weaken. “I need to lie down.”

I settle her onto the bed and push her back as I crawl over her. “I think we shall just stay in bed today.”

She sighs and then giggles. “Yes, darling. That would be wonderful.”

72

A few days later, a guard interrupts our breakfast. “Lord Caedryn, a dragon has landed in the courtyard, Lady Niawen’s dragon.”

Niawen smiles. “She’s early. Seren wasn’t supposed to come for a few more weeks.”

I kiss Niawen’s hand. “Go ahead. I’ll leave you to your visit. You can tell her our news. I have things I need to attend to anyway.” I lean in. “I can’t have you distracting me every second of every day.” I wink at her.

She brushes my cheek with her silken lips before hurrying off. I feel her excitement but focus on other matters. I drop a few barriers to block her incoming feelings and my outgoing ones. Where I am going this morning is not for my bride to know. Shame still bothers me because of the secrets I keep.

How can I explain the prince’s presence in my dungeon now? I should have released him and sent him on his way weeks ago.

Niawen will hate me if she finds out. As I shove a final bite of egg into my mouth, I rise from the table. Niawen’s to the courtyard, and she greets Seren. It’s a happy reunion. They slip into telepathic speech, and I catch Seren’s thoughts as if she’s talking directly to me.

You’ve been blocking me. Do you want to tell me something now? Seren asks.

I’ve bonded with Caedryn, Niawen says.

I thought as much. Seren’s voice is too steady.

Aren’t you overjoyed for me? I’m happy.

I should have come sooner, Seren says. And warned you.

About what?

You remember your misgivings concerning Caedryn?

Yes, but they’ve been set aside, Niawen says.

You trust him?

Yes! Why? Should I not?

I’m not surprised by Seren’s suspicions of me. She’s right. I tried to warn Niawen, but things progressed and the next thing I knew we were bonded.

He’s possessive, Seren says. You told me yourself.

Seren! Niawen exclaims. I’ve bonded with him. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I love him. Don’t speak of my husband this way. We’re happy.

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