Page 82 of Galadon
“How is Phoebe?’ Aidan asked.
“I am told she is exhausted but well. She asked if you could wait to visit until tomorrow. Ozara and Lorcan are ensuring she and the hatchling are well tended.”
“Of course,” he said, glancing back at Bailey. “But please make certain she has everything she needs, and don’t hesitate to let me know if I can do more.”
“I will relay the message.” The guard dipped his chin in respect and left.
The pendragon returned to the table, settling back into his chair. “I’m assuming everyone heard that, so I don’t have to repeat it?”
“Yes,” they all agreed.
Bailey rubbed her stomach. “We’ll go visit tomorrow after the noon meal, so she has plenty of time to recuperate before we get there.” The slayer glanced at her and Galadon. “You’re both welcome to come as well.”
Rayna noted her mate stiffening and smiled at Bailey. “We’d hate to overwhelm her this soon. After such a long labor, I imagine she’d prefer to keep it to close family.”
“Yes,” Galadon said. “We’ll be happy to see her offspring another time.”
They wrapped up dinner and hurried back to their chamber. As soon as he shut and locked the door, her mate pulled her into his arms. Rayna put a hand on his chest to stop him from distracting her before she could speak what was on her mind.
“Wait, we need to talk first.”
He frowned. “About what?”
“You’re still taking the herbs to prevent pregnancy, right?” she asked, feeling stupid she hadn’t asked him sooner.
Concern filled his expression. “Of course. Why?”
“I just…” She could hardly meet his gaze. “Would it be okay to wait a few years or so before trying for children? I want plenty of time for only the two of us.”
His body relaxed, and he smiled. “That’s precisely what I’d prefer. While I imagine creating children with you will be a worthwhile process, I want many nights alone with my mate before that time comes—and days, for that matter.”
She laughed. “Good, especially since any children we produce will likely be a handful, so we’ll hardly have a moment to breathe.”
“Yes. Perhaps we wait more than a few years to fortify ourselves.”
Rayna wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m beginning to like the way you think.”
Happiness flowed through their bond as their lips met and clothes disappeared.
Chapter 31
Galadon
The Taugud shifters had set up a designated landing pad near downtown Norman, so we could avoid creating any more burn holes in the ground when we visited that area of the city. I landed directly at the center of it, reluctantly releasing my mate to make my shift.
Rayna wore a burgundy camrium dress with a halter style that showed the slight swell of her breasts, and the bottom only reached her knees. It was one of the garments delivered before we left our territory, and I’d brought it with me by storing it in shiggara, but she hadn’t had a chance to wear it until now. I’d only made it halfway between the fortress and the city before stopping in a secluded part of the woods to change briefly back to human to take advantage of the easy access her clothing provided.
My mate had been just as eager, though we had to take extra care not to ruin the dress. The cloth was far more durable than what humans used, but I was strong enough to damage it if I didn’t watch myself. Camrium didn’t wrinkle, either, so there were no visible signs of what we’d done fifteen minutes ago.
I emerged from the flames, fully clothed.
Rayna smiled as she spun in her boots, looking around at the bustling shops and restaurants. “It feels like ages since I’ve been here.”
“What do you wish to do first?” I asked, pleased to spend a normal day with her, where we could put our worries aside. “I traded coins at the fortress, so if you want something, we can get it.”
Although the Taugud and Faegud territories had different styles of currency, we had an exchange rate agreement. It made things easier for those who traveled between territories often, and it promoted cooperation between the toriqan and humans.
Rayna’s brows drew together. “I’m so used to planning for weeks or months in advance to buy anything, then having to scavenge things to trade. I sort of made myself stop wanting anything I didn’t absolutely need.”
