Page 112 of Degradation

I stoodbefore the large mirror on the wall and gazed at Garron, who stood behind me.

“Do you think Greydon will allow the spell?” I asked.

“I doubt very much he could deny your sister anything,” Garron said, wrapping his hands around my stomach to support its weight. I loved it when they did so. It was such a relief that I sighed and leaned back into him. He kissed my temple and then my neck.

“Your kisses are what keep me in this state,” I said without any hint of rebuke.

I would be lost without their endless affection and attention. My thoughts turned to how Brandle had woken me with Edmund’s help. The pair together often caused the air in the castle to shimmer with energy. Thankfully, it no longer caused a stir.

“Perhaps you should listen to Getaina after this one and take the brew for a time.”

“Perhaps,” I said, smiling slightly.

“I don’t like when you smile like that,” Garron said, frowning at me in the mirror. “It usually means you’re about to do or say something we won’t like.”

I patted his arm. “You’re paranoid. Do you think the rider was delayed? Or perhaps they had trouble finding a mirror?”

A knock echoed from the mirror before me, and I quickly pressed my hand against the glass.

My reflection with Garron disappeared, replaced by Eloise and Greydon standing in a similar pose. The moment Eloise saw me, she burst into tears.

“I miss you so much.”

“Hush, sister. You’ll upset your husband, and he’ll take you away before we’ve had a proper talk. Where did you place your mirror?”

“Close to our bed chambers. I would have put it inside, but…”

“Mine is close as well. I’ll have an attendant listening for a knock at all times. I promise.”

Her gaze dipped to my rounded middle.

“I didn’t realize we were so close.”

I grinned. “We’re not. I’m carrying twins.”

Emotions surged through Garron, fear at the forefront.

“Twins? Truly?” Eloise asked. “Um, Garron looks like he paled.”

“He probably did. I hadn’t told them yet. I wanted you to know first before they locked me away for the remainder of this pregnancy.”

“Do you have a good midwife attending you? Should I send mine?”

“I have the best midwives in Turre attending me. I’ll be fine. And after these two are born, I’ll take a brew for at least a year to ensure I’m fully healed.”

“Good. We’ll plan a visit then. I want our children to be as close as we were.”

“Are,” I said firmly. “These mirrors will help.”

My twin made a face. “I can’t say I like this. Even after all this time, the idea of using a mirror to communicate…”

“The past has passed. We cannot change it, but we can accept it and move on.”

She nodded. “How is Father?”

“Good. He’s teaching is Leedric how to ride and listening to Anna’s heartfelt speech listing all the reasons she should be taught as well.”

Eloise laughed. “Just like me, that one.”

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