Page 181 of Stars in Umbra
‘You’ve done more than stand at my side,mi kaya. You’ve held up a mirror, forced me to see who I really am, more than a blade, more than a weapon. A man. You pulled me back when I would’ve drowned in blood and ghosts.’
His mouth curved, humor breaking through the gravity. ‘And yeah, I laugh when you cuss at me.Fokk, I live for it. Because it always ends with you close, your hands on me, proving you don’t just fight me, you claim me. I need that, woman. I crave it.’
His eyes darkened, his glyphs pulsing under his skin. ‘It wasn’t chance that brought us into each other’s place. It was the stars. Destiny, in fact, and together, we can bend the whole damn galaxy if we choose.’
He drew her closer, voice softening to a vow. ‘I’m over running hot, burning through years like they don’t matter. I’m done with the fast lane. What I want now, what I’m fighting for, is slower, deeper, lasting. It consists of you and our child. A life that’s ours, no one else’s.’
His hand slid to her belly, in devotion. ‘So hear me, Rina: I want to give you my name, my protection, my everything. Please take it all, because I’ll help you lift it. Always.’
When the tide of emotion ebbed, Rina tilted her head, wiping his cheek with her thumb.
‘I’ve always wanted kids,’ he rasped. ‘Remember, I said it to you.’
‘Oh, I recall the moment,’ she whispered. ‘I think you bewitched me, honey. Those words had too much sorcery woven in them. Fact, I think you caused it.’
His brow furrowed. ‘Of course I did, my seed -’
She stopped him with a finger to his lips. ‘You need to know I had protection, an implant in my arm. I believe that when you spoke your Sacran utterance about waiting for me to bear your kids, the potency of your godhood power made it so.’
He knifed back, staring at her. ‘Thefokk?’
‘It’s my working theory at least, nothing else makes sense.’
‘Stop,mi kaya. I instigated the baby?’
‘You might have.’
He racked his brain, shaking his head. ‘I really need a handle on this Sacran shit. I require a whole day with Issa to get around what I’m capable of before I pop off and cause some major damage.’
‘I’m not certain of it, but there’s no other explanation, my love,’ Rina said with a soft smile. ‘Regardless, I forgive you.’
‘Fokkyeah, you do,’ he growled, reaching to tuck her hair behind her ear.
‘It took a bit to get used to the idea, but when I calmed down, I think I handled it all right. My nausea sucked, but things are settling. I’m happy because I want your child, Mo. Because for whatever mad, celestial reason -.’
He cut her off, his voice thick with truth. ‘I love you too, Rina.’
She laughed, then hiccuped on a sob, and they both chuckled again, tear-stained and grinning like fools.
He pulled her closer, breath ghosting her ear. ‘Then brace, soldier. I’m about to be the most obnoxiously devoted man you’ve ever seen.’
‘Oh yeah?’ she teased. ‘Ready to hold my hair while I throw up?’
‘Damn right I am. I’ll hold your hair, massage your feet, give you the whole freakin’ universe if I have to.’
She cupped his cheek again. ‘The baby’s healthy. He, or she, has some significant Sacran energy. My skin’s been glowing under my belly. I think they’ve got your potency.’
Mo grinned, a little wolfish. ‘Ididnotice you’re more radiant as of late, but with all going on, I didn’t put it together.’
Her lips twitched. ‘I did, and in fact, I’ve made a month-by-month plan. I’ve got everything mapped until the delivery.’
‘Of course you have, Colonel Precision.’ He chuckled, eyes warm. ‘Sounds like I’ll be the fun dad and you’ll be running military drills in the nursery.’
She mock-punched his shoulder, and he caught her hand mid-air, pressing it to his chest.
Then he kissed her. Slow. Deep. Unhurried.
When they broke apart, he leaned his forehead against hers.
