Page 14 of Honor and Claim

“Good, they could use something to gossip about. I enjoy stirring the pot.”

“At least we can’t burn that pot,” I say, leaving the bathroom to grab my shoes.

I might have thrown up, but I’m still going to Karen’s for breakfast. That woman can cook, and this town doesn't have DoorDash or fast food. We had not thought of these things before renting this place.

“Don’t be so sure about that. We can burn just about anything.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” I mutter. “Plus, you shouldn’t stir the pot if you’re in said pot.”

“I can’t.” Marks throws her hands up. “I have to know. You could be knocked up. Then what? Should you even be standing?” My brows lift. I’m pretty sure she’s fucking with me, but I cannever be sure with her. “What? I know shit about babies or pregnancy.”

“Fine, but I’m eating first.” There is no point in telling her no. Marks is worse than I am with listening. She’ll sneak and do it.

“Are we going to eat or what?” Marks is ready to get this show on the road, which would be her shoving whatever breakfast Karen made for us down her throat as quickly as possible, which will again get us in trouble. I’m in enough trouble as it is.

“What if I’m pregnant?” I finally say the words out loud. I think I already know the answer to whether I am or not, but I haven’t allowed myself to really think too much about it. I probably need to know for sure sooner rather than later. Especially if I get to use it as an excuse not to stand.

“You scared? Babies are creepy looking. Especially when they come out.” I laugh out loud because Marks is absolutely ridiculous.

“I’m not scared of the baby.” I have always wanted a family.

While my family isn’t typical, we are still all close, and my dad adored my mom. Even in our world, their relationship wasn't the norm. Despite the arranged nature of their relationship, they were deeply in love. That wasn’t the case usually.

I want love too, and I feel as though they got lucky. I don’t know of any other arranged marriages in the families around us where the couples are truly in love. It’s why when my brother War took over, I begged him to never make me marry against my will. He’d made me that promise. It is because of my parents that I want that kind of love and babies of my own one day. It is a dream.

“Do you want the baby?"

"Yes!" I rush to say. I am also scared of the possibility that I might not be pregnant. That's why the test as a whole freaksme out altogether. "I know it's stupid or silly, but I have always wanted a family of my own."

"Why is that stupid?" Marks asks.

I shrug. "Because it's old school-ish? I'm supposed to want to further my education and whatever else.” I wave my hand around.

"Who said you should do any of that? I didn't even go to college, and I was homeschooled." Marks’ childhood, from the pieces I’ve put together, was different than any I've ever known before.

"That's part of it. Where I come from, girls don't go to college; you get married and have babies, but I was given the choice to go to college." And I didn't want it. Although it kept me occupied and I didn't despise it. However, I missed home but felt compelled to stay, so I did.

"You were kind of given a choice. Didn't they ship you off to school?" It sounds bad when she says it like that. I know it’s the truth, but in some ways I kind of understand that my brothers and father were trying to keep me out of their line of work. They should have allowed me to make the decision for myself, but I can’t blame them for wanting to protect me.

“It wasn’t all terrible, and it was better than school back home.”

“All I’m getting at is if your dream is to have babies and be a traditional wife, then have at it. Don’t hide it because it’s not what others are doing these days. That kind of defeats the whole point of women doing what they want.” She’s right, but I can’t outright say that to Marks. We try to keep her ego in check.

“I can only see that life with one person, and he doesn't want it with me."

"Right," Marks snorts. "The man is up your ass. I had to remove him from your phone, which I should probably check again if you want."

I don't want her to check my phone, and the reason is pathetic. Before, I was getting pissed about his overbearing ways, and now I know it will break my heart to find out he's not even bothering with that anymore. Just like the pregnancy test, either outcome sucks.

"How about we get some food in us before we do anything?” I nod in agreement, food being the only thing I can agree on right now.

Chapter Eight

Z

It doesn’t take me long to throw a bag together. I can order anything I need or get it once I get there if I have to. Plus, I have my own place there, and the family has more than a few homes across Europe. All that matters is getting to her.

I’ll sleep on the plane because I know I won’t be getting any if I stay here. When I’m in the air, I’ll at least know I’m getting closer to her. That I’ll be on the same continent as her in a matter of hours.

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