Page 107 of Barbi and the Villain

He proudly nods again.

“You…” My nostrils flare as I take the spoon and hit him lightly. “Instead of listening to me, you were counting my words? How dare you!” I cry out.

“I am sure the color of PomPom’s poop is very interesting, but not when I am trying to sleep after an entire day’s worth of work,” he adds, slowly walking away from me.

My eyes widen and I start after him.

His lips are tipped up in amusement as he watches me chase after him, seemingly deriving great pleasure from making fun of me.

“It’s her health! I need to be mindful of her poop.”

“As you say, poop master.” He inclines his head in a mocking gesture.

“Nykander…” I grit out, not seeing the fun in this. “PomPom’s stomach has been upset lately. Of course I need to make sure there is nothing wrong with her.”

“I never said otherwise.” He chuckles.

“Oh you…you sneaky demon! I will catch you and?—”

“Lecture me on more poop?” he asks with a raised brow.

“Ugh!” I stomp my feet as I continue to chase him.

He stops, and I almost collide with him. He steadies me, placing his hands on my shoulders and keeping me in place.

“Her poop is fine, Barbi. I asked around. Mr. Foerie from two cabins down from ours worked as a healer, and I asked him if there was anything wrong.”

“You…did?” I glance up at him. “So you did listen?”

“You are very hard not to listen to.” He chuckles. “But although there is no problem with her poop, there is something else…”

Panic flares inside of me.

I grab his hands, sliding closer.

“What? Please don’t tell me she’s sick. Not here, away from modern medicine and?—”

“She is not sick,” he assures me. “She is just breeding.”

“She is…” I repeat numbly. “Did you say breeding?”

“She is carrying younglings. Mr. Foerie suspects she will give birth sometime next month.”

“My… My PomPom is pregnant? As in… BonBon and her mated?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“That is how younglings come about, Barbi,” he says with a deep sigh.

“Oh my God! How could I not know this? How could I have not seen it coming? Nykander! My PomPom is going to have babies,” I exclaim, freaking out.

“It is what dogs do. It is not that shocking.”

“It is! Oh Lord! She needs to be more pampered and she needs better nutrition.”

Right as I say that, it dawns on me that I am in the kitchen. I have access to the food.

Leaving Nykander’s side, I ransack the meat pantry and pull aside some raw chicken.

“This is what you usually get for them, no?” I turn back to ask Nykander.

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