Page 27 of Kissing the Kelpie

The door to the cottage swings open as I fiddle with the clasp of the bracelet. Em steps in and looks between us.

“I’m trying to explain, but she won’t—”

“Get out!” I shout, throwing the bracelet at Finn. I don’t want anything to do with him or his fae magic. “What are you waiting for? Get out!”

To emphasize my point, Safra stands at my door, a deep growl vibrating in her throat.

“I’m sorry, Finn.” Em’s apologizing? To an evil kelpie? What the hell is wrong with him? “If she doesn’t want you here, you have to leave.”

“Masha, I want to spend my life with you and Ana. With our child. Please don’t do this.” He sounds broken. My days of caring about how Finn feels are over.

“Finn,” there’s a warning in Em’s voice.

“I love you, Masha.” He tries one last time. I don’t acknowledge his words. I go into my room so I don’t have to look at him any longer. Or worse, watch him leave.

Chapter 19

“Mama, you got fat!” Ana giggles.

“I guess I did.”

I give her a side eye, wondering how it took her a full week to realize it. Then again, my belly grows by the day. I’m happy my daughter is focusing on my looks rather than the fact that a monster tried to kill me.

It’s odd that neither Em nor Erin have asked me about my bulging belly. Of course, what is there to ask? It’s obvious that I’m pregnant, although I look more like eight months than four weeks.

Erin knocks on my door three times before letting herself in.

“Heeyy! How are my girls doing?” Ana runs over and throws her arms around Erin’s torso. Traitor.

“Great!” Ana giggles. “But look at Mama’s belly.” My daughter points to me. “She got fat!”

“Gee, thanks. Now go collect the eggs.”

Ana grabs her basket. “Will you braid my hair extra special when I get back?” She asks Erin—not me. That’s it, no more sleepovers for these two.

“Of course! Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t I do your hair too?” Erin looks at me, her eyes lighting. Life in the forest must be boring her to tears. “I can weave flowers in it to show Ana how hers will look. And we can chat.”

“I don’t think so.” I can’t talk to Erin. She might ask who the father is. Though I guess that is pretty obvious, too.

“Pleeease, Mama! Pleeease.”

“Go get the eggs!”

Neither of us says anything as Ana heads out back. Erin opens two bottles of water and drops a brimberry in each. She swirls them around and hands me one.

“Have you seen him?” Shit. Em must have spotted him in the forest. “No, and I don’t intend to.” She opens her mouth, but I cut her off. “Don’t tell me that I’ll change my mind in time. I hate him.”

“He’s a good man, Masha.”

“He’s not good. And he’s not a man.” I remind her.

“He’s man enough.” Her eyes drift to my bulging belly. So she doesn’t get the world’s most oblivious woman award, then.

“I need to check on Ana.”

*

“Ana!” I call for my daughter with mounting panic. There’s no trace of her; I looked everywhere. “Anastasia, answer me right now!”

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