Page 47 of Swamp Kings 2

“Can I do anything for you?” he asked, his gentle, knowing tone busting right through her flimsy tough act. “Oh, mah ange,” he soothed when her face crimped with torment. He pulled her against his shoulder and cradled her head, opening the flood gates.

“I'm falling apart,” she sobbed into his chest.

“You're not falling apart,” he assured.

“I am, I have all these weird symptoms since... since...”

“What symptoms?” he gently pressed, petting her head. “Did you tell Bishop?”

“No,” she wailed through jagged sobs. “He doesn't need that kind of stress,it’s... silly stuff I'm sure, I’m just... I’m more everything, more whiney, more needy, more everything he doesn't need me to be while the world is burrrrning," she finished on a wail, feeling Maggie now in on the comforting. “This isn't me, I'm not this weak,” she cried. “I'm stronger than this.”

“Yes, you are,” Maggie assured. “Maybe a shower will help, would you like to try that?”

“I can't!”

“Why, mah ange?” Seer pressed softly.

“Because it’s too dangerous to do that while driving, he told me to stay put and not move unless I had to.”

“Let me talk to him, mah-mah par-fay,” he urged, getting her immediate head shakes.

“No, please.”

“Just that you need a shower, nothing else. The hot water will relax you. You and your baby need all the extra help when stresses are high. Let Nonk Samuel help, oui?”

There it was. The way out. Helping Seerfeel better was the lifeline. Nonk Samuel. The sweet title brought a smile and she sucked in controlled breaths and nodded. “Okay. But... just about the shower.”

“Oui, oui,” he cooed, still petting her.

She suddenly didn't want him to move. “Can you wait a minute? Let me... catch my breath.”

“Take as long as you need, petite fleur.”

Beth couldn't bring herself to move from where she was, so she didn't. And somewhere between catching her shit and calming her nerves, she slipped into dreamland and found herself watching their baby, building again. Only this time, he was older. Like ten! As she watched his handsome face, earnestly building on a strange tower as tall as he was, so much warmth filled her and peace. He was so beautiful. He had the exact hair as Sahvrin and skin coloring. He suddenly paused building, staring at his work before his eyes slowly turned to her. He had mommy’s eye color with daddy’s shape. Their gazes connected and she gave a gasp of awe at the sharp tug in her chest. His eyes turned darkthen, just like Bishop’s. Full of so much passion and power. He was seeing her. And letting her know that he was and could. He returned his attention to his project, the earnest determination settling on his handsome features again.“I’m hungry, Mah-Mah.”

Beth jolted awake, immediately hearing Seer’s “shhhhh, you're okay.”

She eased back, disoriented. “Did I...”

“Fell asleep, oui.”

She eyed Nonk Samuel’s peaceful, contented face.

“Remember my superpowers when my nephew is born and being la-frawnsh. Bring him to me.”

“La-frawnsh,” she mumbled, her mind cloudy.

“Means fussy. How do you feel?”

She considered that, searching herself for the accurate answer. “Hungry. How long did I sleep?”

“A power nap of fifteen minutes.” He got up and went to thesmall kitchen. “What can I get you?”

She realized she wasn't hungry for food. “Can you get Bishop? I need to talk to him.”

He eyed her briefly from the fridge, concern edging his blue gaze. “Oui mah-ange.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

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