Page 53 of The Mentor
“I know,” she said and dried her eyes, wearing a happy smile. “But I want to tell him in the most perfect way.”
“How?”
“I don’t know yet. I was hoping you had some kind of brilliant idea.”
“Me?” I laughed. “Why would I know what to do? I’ve never been pregnant in my life, let alone had to tell someone about it.”
“Maybe I could give him a riddle?” Christina bit her lower lip with a speculative expression on her face.
“Maybe you could just tell him?” I suggested. “I don’t think thehowis very important. I just think he wants to know.”
“But I want it to be special.”
Stroking her hand, I grinned. “Believe me, sweetie, to Boulder it will beveryspecial.”
We talked more about the pregnancy before Christina changed the subject.
“Actually, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about.” She lifted the little plate with cookies and offered me one. “You haven’t touched them and I baked them myself.”
Christina had never been a talented baker and sure enough, the first bite tasted salty.
“What do you want to talk to me about?” I asked and put the cookie down.
“I overheard Boulder talking to Khan yesterday.” She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper and leaned closer. “I think you’re getting a new protector.”
“Why?”
“Khan needs Magni.”
“What for?”
Christina angled her head. “I’m not sure about the specifics, but apparently, some of the Nmen feel cheated that they didn’t get a chance to fight for Pearl. Khan wants Magni to take care of the situation before it turns into a rebellion.”
“That sounds dangerous.”
“According to Boulder, Magni has been doing this sort of work for years. Khan and Magni used to do it together when their father was still in power,” Christina informed me. “You know that Magni is Khan’s right hand, right?”
“Yes, I know. Do you know when he’s going to leave?”
“Soon.”
I squirmed in my seat. “And do you know who my new protector is going to be?” The thought that Archer would be my new protector both excited and annoyed me. On the one hand, it would be wonderful to work together without the interference from a third person. On the other hand, it would give Archer a kind of leverage that I didn’t want him to have over me.
“I’m not sure,” Christina said, but I think it’ll be Finn.”
“I just hope it’s not Archer. That would be awkward and only complicate things between us.”
She nodded. “I don’t think Khan would pick Archer, especially after he spanked you.” From the way color rose to her cheeks I could tell Christina was still angry about that episode. “No man should ever hit a woman,” Christina said firmly. “Nor should he hit any child for that matter.”
“I agree, but it’s like talking to a door, and Archer won’t budge on the subject.”
Christina lowered her head and leaned forward. “Promise that you won’t let him do it again, Kya.”
“I don’t intend to, but I can’t let him beat on children either.”
“But don’t you see how he could use it against you? Archer doesn’t like you much and you two argue all the time.” She was pinching the skin of her throat with an uneasy expression. “I worry that he would punish the children in the hopes of getting to you.”
I nodded slowly. “The thought has occurred to me.” Folding my lower lip between my teeth, I asked: “You really don’t think Khan would pick Archer as my protector?”
