Page 102 of Degradation

“Hush,” I said. “What we all need is a hearty dinner and an early bedtime so we can start out at first light.”

“I’ll light the fire,” Edmund said.

“Garron and I will raid the cellar,” Liam said.

“I’ll set the table,” Eadric said with a wink at me.

“Would you like to help me check the bedrolls, Lamb?” Daemon asked.

Brandle cuffed him. “Get the tub ready for Father.”

I smiled as Daemon cast a sheepish look at my father and hurried inside.

“I’ll show you around the place while you wait if you’d like, sir,” Darian said.

“Thank you,” Father said.

“I’ll come too,” I said, quickly tucking my hand around Father’s arm. He smelled awful.

Father patted my hand, leaving behind dirt marks.

“I believe they’d like you to stay here and have a word with Brandle,” Father said.

“Which is precisely why I’d prefer to stay with you,” I said.

Father chuckled, and Brandle gently pried me away from him.

“Thank you, sir,” Brandle said.

I watched Father walk away and looked up at Brandle. “Do you recall the time I clawed my way through the roof?”

“I do.”

“And how did that end?”

“I believe I still carry your mark on my arse.”

“It serves as a reminder to your brothers not to test me,” I said primly.

“And me?”

“I doubt you and Edmund will ever stop testing me; however, I still have strong teeth when reminders are needed.”

Brandle grinned and pulled me into his embrace.

“Is there a reason for this heavy warning?”

“I believe I’m pregnant,” I said bluntly.

He froze briefly then tightened his grip on me.

“Oh, don’t act so shocked. Since losing my maidenhead, I’ve only slept alone a handful of times. You had to know this would be the result of frequent f?—”

His mouth covered mine in a hungry kiss that had me forgetting my words within moments. His hands cupped my face as he walked me backward. It wasn’t until the bench hit the backs of my legs that he pulled back.

“Behave yourself, Kellen, or you will shock your poor father.”

“Me? I wasn’t the one who kissed?—”

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