Page 13 of A Single Thread Of Hope

I snorted at the Gryphon calling Demke a “Godling” but I wasn’t going to argue. I might’ve forgiven him, but I was a little miffed still. With a sigh, I pushed myself into a sitting position. I was always so exhausted. Was it supposed to be like this?

The sun was high in the sky, and my bed was empty except for Griff, which told me that it was a lot later than usual. Every muscle in my torso ached with the weight of the babies, and I creaked my way to the bathroom to freshen up. I wondered if I could convince someone to just sit with me in the pool for a few hours, so I could get a little bit of relief.

Who was I kidding? I could ask for the skull of my enemy, and one of them would make me a piña colada in it.

“The Gryphon would very much enjoy that request.”

I looked over my shoulder at Teron. It was a weird feeling, when they shifted between one and the other. I was always sohappy to see them, but a piece of me was sad that I wouldn’t see the other for an unknown amount of time.

I’m always here, mate.Griff’s voice in my mind made me smile.

Obviously, though my thoughts are meant to be private.

Griff made a rude noise, and Teron rolled his eyes. “How are you feeling, Wren?”

I sighed, and when I was close enough, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders. He held me to his chest, which was bare, and I soaked in his warmth. He tended to run hotter than the others, like the sands of his homelands were trapped just beneath the skin.

“The babies feel good. They’re moving around as much as they can.”

He kissed my temple, the familiar gesture making my heart thud pathetically. “I asked howyouare feeling.”

I slumped into his body. “Stressed. Tired. Sore.”

“Understandable.” He ushered me out of the room, down toward the pool. “Relax. I’ll get one of the guys to bring you something to eat. I’ll give you a checkup this afternoon, and maybe a hot oil massage.”

I almost moaned at the thought of someone massaging my overly tight muscles.

True to his word, he led me to my canopied lounger and held me with soft hands as I shifted myself around to get comfortable. Although, comfortable was subjective at this point.

He squeezed my foot in his strong hands, and I groaned. Laughing, he kissed the top of it and moved away. “Unfortunately, I have a few tasks that need to be completed. Otherwise, climbing into that nest with you would be my only plan for the rest of the day.”

For the rest of my life,Griff amended.

I waved him away. “Go. I’m just going to take another nap, probably.” He nodded and left, and I was physically alone. Well, kind of. If you didn’t count the babies. Or Griff in my head. Or the sleeping dogs around the pool.

I breathed in and out, letting my eyelids droop as I worked at making my whole body untense. Toes, feet, ankles… On and on I went, until my whole body felt like it lacked bones.

A foot suddenly poked out of my stomach, or maybe it was an elbow. I brushed a hand over it, and a bone-deep love flowed through my chest. I mightn’t have been overjoyed about finding out I was pregnant, but I wouldn’t change anything now. I’d come to terms with it, and the knowledge that I wouldn’t be alone in the world anymore meant something.

Fuck, I was going to cry again.

“Mo stóirín.”

I looked up at Nate, who was blocking the sun. I licked my bottom lip, trying to swallow back the emotions, but I should have known better. Climbing in beside me, he pulled me onto his chest, and I snuggled my nose between his pecs. Honestly, I wanted to live in this spot forever.

He brushed his hand down my hair. “What’s wrong?”

Shaking my head, I just frowned. “Bad dreams, but Griff chased them away.” I playfully bit his chest just beside his nipple, and he growled softly at me. “It’s all getting real, I guess. We should probably name them soon.”

It had felt too scary to name them. Like it would make me too attached if something happened. But who was I kidding? I was already attached.

Nate looked down at me. “We?”

Raising my head, I looked up into his face. “You don’t want to?”

He lifted me up so he could kiss me, the harsh brush of his beard on my chin contrasting with the softness of his lips. Iwas obsessed with the sensation. I was obsessed with this man, period. He deepened the kiss, and I straddled his hips, wanting nothing more than to stay like this forever.

Nate pulled away first. “Mo stóirín,I’d be honored to name the babes with you.” His voice was thick, his Irish lilt almost indecipherable. “It is a privilege I didn’t think I’d ever have again. Thank you,” he whispered against my lips.

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