Page 149 of The Warrior
“It’s an invasion of women,” Khan joked when the five of us entered at the same time.
Boulder came over to kiss Christina and his hand stroked her belly. “Did you ladies get some work done?” he asked with a smile.
“Yes, we did.”
“So did we,” Khan said and looked at Pearl and Isobel. “You’ll be happy to hear that I pardoned the Huntsmen.”
When Isobel frowned, Pearl explained. “The soldiers who held us against our will thinking that we were hiding Magni.”
“Oh, I see.”
Pearl elaborated, “Khan and I have been in a disagreement about what consequences they should face for their actions.”
“I didn’t spare them because of our arguments,” Khan emphasized. “It was Magni’s condition for getting back to work.”
Magni shrugged. “I trained those men to be the best warriors in the Northlands and they’re loyal to me. I can’t do my job without them and since you’re asking me to return to my job, it’s a package deal.”
“Thank you Magni, for making Khan do the right thing.” Pearl spoke the words in a soft and melodic voice and her smile was genuine when she walked over and snaked her arm around Khan’s waist, leaning against him. “We are going to the school and would like you to come and help us send off Isobel, Shelly, and the others.”
“Would you mind if I stayed here? I’m drowning in work,” Khan excused himself.
Pearl blinked, and I could tell her mind was spinning to come up with a plausible excuse that wouldn’t make Magni suspicious or reveal the surprise about the adoption.
“It’s just that you said you’re announcing my pregnancy to the country in your speech tonight. I’d like the children at the school to hear it from us first.”
Khan lowered his head and thought about it. “You think it would mean a lot to them?”
“Yes, I do. Please, Khan, it means a lot to me too.”
“All right, then I’ll come.” He shuffled some papers around on his desk and gave a short order to Magni. “Go talk to your men. They’ll be glad to get out of the prison cell they’re in.”
“No,” I shrieked.
Boulder, Khan, and Magni all looked at me with concern. “What’s wrong, Laura?”
I’d never been good at coming up with lies on the spot. “It’s just that Mila called me before and one of the boys has been teasing her. She was asking for you.”
“Who teased her?” Magni took a step closer to me. “Is she okay?”
“She wouldn’t say who, but she asked for you.”
As expected, Mila’s needing him did the trick and Magni left with the rest of us. Pearl’s eyes bulged at me when Magni muttered about all the ways he’d teach the boys not to mess with Mila.
I was biting my lip, worried that he’d storm into the school and cause havoc in his quest to protect Mila from all harm. Pearl saw me sweating and came to my rescue.
“Magni, I know I’m asking a lot, but would you allow me and Khan to make our announcement before you interrogate Mila about who teased her?”
Magni nodded in agreement. “Sure.”
He kept his promise and didn’t say a word when Khan and Pearl gathered everyone in the schoolroom and told the good news.
The children were congratulating Pearl and Khan. Mila, Rochelle, Paysey, Nicki, and some of the others offered to play with the baby and babysit if ever needed.
Magni’s eyes roamed the room, shooting silent questions at the boys to see if any of them would crack just from his scowling at them.
I walked over and pulled him to a corner. “You know I love you, right?”
“Yes. I know.” He angled his head. “You don’t need to worry, I’m not going to throw a tantrum. I’ve decided I’m going to stay in control when I learn who did it.”
