Page 33 of Bred By Fafnir

She stares at me, baffled for a moment before she clears her throat. Abruptly stabbing my palm with the pin, I hiss, ripping my hand away. “The fuck?”

“We need to confirm the pregnancy. That’s why you’re here, right?”

Is it? Is that why I’m here?

“I need to speak to him.”

“No, Lenora, that’s not safe. If they took him, it’s because it’s time.Pasttime… he’s favored but that can only get you so far.”

“Elat, listen, it’s not—"

I rear back as she takes me into her arms. “I am not without sympathy, but you are notus. You have more to worry about now.” She releases me, and the chasm in my chest feels deeper than before as she presses the pin into my palm. I stare at the foreign characters; she doesn’t need to translate what it says. I already know.

My voice wobbles when I speak, letting her lead me from the bathroom. “Thank you.”

“You could stay here, you know? Winter is nearing its end, and I have grown tired of my bedding partner.”

The male huffs as we pass him.

“No, you’ve done enough. Really.”

She nods, leading me to the door, her large hand gripping my wrist as I go to open it. “Pregnant females hold a special place here. Revered for their sacrifice, you will be no different.”

I stare at her blankly, too tired to read between the lines.

She sighs, gesturing to the weird pregnancy pen now hidden in the lining of my cloak. “Use it.”

My guard nods in thanks as we step out before facing me. “You are sorted? Did you not require padding?”

I shake my head, not sure what to say. Thankfully, the female behind me doesn’t miss a beat. “Her personal business is hardly a concern of yours, or has the dried meat rotted your brain?”

I snort as he manages to look only mildly annoyed. This time, when he lifts me onto his mount, I feel just a little lighter. Maybe not so entirely hopeless.

twenty-three

Lenora

The next two days are much of the same, although more time is spent staring at my flat stomach with an overwhelming bittersweet happiness. It’s my purpose here. It’s everything he wanted. A beautiful horned beginning, and a horrible, heartbreaking end. I watch as another male approaches my guard. There’s been a lot today. Where there’s usually only one who shows up with meals and then another to swap some nights, the dark suns are only at their highest point and already there’s been five.

I try to press my ear to the door, listening for anything, but their voices are low, lost in the wind. The storm is picking up, and it feels like an omen. I swing the door open suddenly, as if to catch a naughty child doing something they shouldn’t. Only met with two baffled Bhaurnul males. I stare, dumbfounded too, then angry. Oh, sofucking angry. It hits me suddenly like a slap of hot iron against my chest, digging in deep. I stare at them; the silence is heavy and thick. My guard cracks before the other. “The trial is tonight. No, you may not attend. It is dangerous for a female.”

“I was coming to check on my Zylari.” My guard’s eyes narrow as the other one seems to relax, grateful I seemingly don’t care. I’m a human surrogate after all. Nothing more, nothing less. “I can imagine this means I will be returned to the agency soon. Once everything is resolved?”

He lifts his head higher, as if when he gets a better vantage point of the top of my head, I’ll make more sense. “I am unsure. It is up to the elder and you, of course, but that comes later.”

Stepping out past them into the harsh wind, I simply nod. I hadn’t dressed properly, but granted I hadn’t really been planning to come out here yet. At most I get one visit, but… with the weather turning, perhaps maybe two.

That’s all I need.

I’m small on this planet.

Easily lost.

I keep that in mind when I tend the empty nest box, shivering in the snow.

Fafnir

Horns ram into my shoulder, piercing flesh, but I am stronger. One snaps off, I shove it in him deep.

---