Page 40 of Knot Our Reality

I wave off Wilder’s concern. “He’s fine. In fact, I think he’s helping. I prefer to get my own food, Camden, but thank you.”

Camden shadows me as I move to grab a plate and take in the offerings. As I lean in, a scent fills my nose that immediately has nausea rolling through me. I drop the plate, not even noticing as it hits the floor and breaks, as I lift a hand to my mouth.

I take a few steps back, but it’s like the scent is stuck in my nose, and I know I’m going to be sick.

Turning on my heel, I take off for my suite, almost barreling into Tessa, who tries to stop me.

“Emilia? What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, tearing out of her grasp and continuing to my suite. I’m almost across the entryway when I realize I’m not going to make it.

Fuck me.

A potted plant near the front door draws my attention, and even though I know I’m going to feel like an asshole, I rush over. Kneeling isn’t super easy being this pregnant, but I do it. I barely get my hand out of the way before I’m puking into the plant.

I hate throwing up, and I should’ve already moved past the point of having morning sickness. But here I am, puking my guts up in the damn entryway. Tears of embarrassment streak down my face as I continue to get sick. I try to keep my hair out of the way, but who knows how successful I am.

I startle when someone gathers my hair at the back of my head, securing it with a hair tie before running a soothing hand over my back.

Camden.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Let it out. You’ll feel better after you’re done.” He hesitates. “At least that’s how it is when I’m drunk or hungover. I don’t know if it works the same for pregnant women.”

A feminine snicker follows his words. “It usually does.”

“Oh, good.”

When I open my mouth to respond, I get sick again, and Camden’s purr kicks in once again. My cheeks flush red, both from getting sick and from how embarrassed I am at him—and probably the other three suitors—seeing me like this.

I continue to lean over the pot even after I stop getting sick, wanting to be sure I’m done.

All I want to do is run back to my suite and hide away for the rest of the day.

How fucking embarrassing!

“Are you okay now?” Camden asks quietly, and I nod.

I’m surprised when he scoops me up into his arms like I weigh nothing. “What are you doing?”

“You just got sick. You’re probably feeling a little weak. I don’t want to take the chance of you falling and hurting yourself or the baby.”

I bury my face in his chest before realizing I might have vomit on my face. “Holy crap, I’m sorry.”

I lift my head, sighing when I don’t see anything on his shirt. My eyes find Bree and Tessa as they step toward me.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Tessa’s voice is high-pitched and clearly worried as she stares at me.

“Knock it off, Tessa. You’re acting like you didn’t just have three pregnant lovers. Getting sick is never fun, but it’s no reason to freak out.” Bree shakes her head. “Do you know why you got sick? Was it the headache?”

I shake my head. “No. It was something on the buffet. I think it was the ham.” I consider it, running back over the semi-familiar scent and nod. “Yup. Definitely the ham. I guess that’s off the menu for the next few months.”

“Oh, dearie, you poor thing.” An old woman steps up beside Bree, fussing over me. “I’m Millie, one of the kitchen staff. I’ll make sure we don’t prepare ham again. If there’s anything you don’t want us making, just let someone know, and I’ll take care of it. Now, are you feeling up to drinking something?”

I shrug, knowing I still need to eat or my headache is going to come roaring back. “I need to. I also need to get some food in me. If I don’t eat shortly after getting sick, I’ll spend the rest of the day getting sick.”

Millie nods. “Okay. We won’t bring you back into the dining room—not until we get it aired out. Some fresh air might do you good. Omega, will you bring your omega to the back deck? I’ll be right out with some things that she can eat.”

“Oh, he’s not. We’re not—“ I shake my head at her knowing look.

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