Page 10 of Arthur

“Right, then. Perhaps you’ll do better by sipping it,” Edison said after Arthur had fussed over me and cleaned me up. I was once again lying in our bed, both pillows behind me, propping me slightly up but not enough that the room started spinning once more. That was another thing I was suddenly experiencing. The room was now spinning whenever I tried to stand too quickly. Edison said it was most likely due to lack of food and liquid.

“William will be here in just a few moments,” Edison said.

“It’s okay. How about some sips. And maybe some of the soda bread. A small piece,” I suggested. I was thirsty and hungry, despite feeling as I did. And I knew that my baby I was carrying needed nourishment.

Edison looked like he wanted to argue, but a pleading look to Arthur had my One bringing over a fresh mug of the horrible-smelling liquid. “Just a small sip now,” Arthur said as he held it out and helped me take a drink. I swallowed a little bit and immediately reached for the bread Arthur had in his other hand. I tore a small piece off, and it helped to change the flavor on my tongue. I sighed in relief when the taste of the tea was gone.

“Another?” I asked after I’d swallowed the bread and it seemed to be willing to stay where it was. At least for the time being, that was. Who knew what a few minutes from now would bring.

“Just a few now. I don’t want what little progress we’re making to be undone,” Arthur said. I smiled at him. He was sothoughtful. I didn’t enjoy losing the contents of my stomach, and if having only a few sips and bites at a time enabled me to keep things down, I’d go that way.

The system we set up—small sips of tea quickly followed by a bite of bread or something else that was dry or bland—worked. There was a knock on the door in the outer room, and then moments later, William was walking in beside Wallace. I wasn’t unhappy to see the man, but I didn’t know exactly what it was that he could do to help me.

“Patrick, I would like to first say congratulations,” William said before he turned his gaze to Arthur. “And to you as well. It is always a joyous moment when one finds their forever love.”

“Thank you, my friend,” Arthur said. “It has truly been such a life-changing thing. For the better.”

I felt a moment of pang for William. He’d still not found his own One, not that he’d been looking for him or her. I also knew that William had been married before he’d been turned by the goddess, but he’d lost his wife in childbirth. That had changed him, and although he had always been friendly, he’d not seemed open to finding love again.

I looked to Arthur and felt a new wave of sadness. Arthur must have felt it through our bond because immediately he reached for me where I was lying. “Are you all right? Is it your stomach?”

I shook my head. “I’m fine. Well, as much as can be expected.” I didn’t wish to voice out loud what had brought on the feeling.

Arthur looked at me, and although I’d only been mated to him for three weeks, I already knew that look. He wasn’t going to let it drop. We would be revisiting the question again in due time. For now though, he was going to let it pass.

“How are you feeling?” William asked. He picked up the mug, and after bringing it partway toward his face, he winced. “Ah, Isee. It truly isn’t unexpected. The two of you have been mated for a few weeks now. This tends to happen when couples find one another.” William was all smiles. “What is it that you need from me?” He glanced around. “More tea?”

I winced. I wasn’t sure I was quite ready for more tea. Perhaps in a little while, but not just yet.

“That face says all I need to know. I myself haven’t had to drink it, and I’m thankful for that. I cannot imagine how those of you that are carrying keep it down.”

“It’s a labor of love,” Edison said. I smiled. He wasn’t wrong. I was carrying Arthur’s and my first child. I would do whatever I needed to in order to make sure I had a healthy and successful pregnancy.

“Since you are more of an expert on pregnancies, I was hoping you would be willing to look over Patrick. He’s experiencing sickness, but that seems to be standard for pregnancies. But is the baby all right?” Edison asked.

William smiled at Edison before he refocused on me. “I will be happy to. If that is all right with the new couple?” William looked between me where I was lying and Arthur, who was sitting beside me, between me and William.

“Of course I have no problems with that,” I said before looking at Arthur. “But I think Arthur might need to move slightly in order for that to happen.”

“Oh, of course,” Arthur said before he moved. He didn’t go far—only to the foot of the bed. He sat there, his hand gently resting on my leg while William moved closer.

“This won’t hurt,” he told me. When his hand started to glow green, I couldn’t help but flinch and cover my stomach with my hands. Up until now, anytime anyone had used magic on me, it had only ever involved a great deal of pain.

“It’s all right,” Arthur said, his hand rubbing up and down my leg. “William is only using magic to check on the baby.”

When I’d flinched, William immediately pulled his hand away, and the green glow disappeared. “I would never hurt you,” William said.

“I know that. I truly do. It was an involuntary reaction, and I’m sorry. You have to understand. It wasn’t meant as a slight against you or your character.”

“It’s all right, love.” Arthur moved closer after the room became blurry. It took a moment for me to realize I’d started crying. I heard the others talking, but they were so quiet I couldn’t make out what was being said. As Arthur’s arms wrapped around me, I melted into his embrace. There, in his arms, I’d known only love and tenderness.

I wasn’t sure how long Arthur held me, but when I finally felt as if I was under control again, I lifted my head from his shoulder. I wasn’t sure when he’d pulled me onto his lap or when he’d moved into my place on the bed, but I was grateful for the fact that he was so loving and understanding.

“I am sorry,” I said quietly.

“I know that, and I am certain that William knows as well. Also that he doesn’t hold anything against you. Father, I am certain, has filled him in on what you have gone through at the hands of Henry. As long as there is a breath in my body, you will never have to feel the pain inflicted on you by magic again.”

I sighed. “I know you mean that, but you can’t always be with me. What if you’re gone somewhere for the coven? What if—”

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