Page 36 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
I gave her a stiff nod and moved to stand by Grandma Richter when she reached the foyer.
“This is Grandma Richter,” I told them.
Once I gave Grandma Richter their names, she narrowed her eyes at Sebastian, taking in the uniform he still wore. “Seems the least you can do is help our prince Elias since I’m sure you and the other soldiers who kicked us out are the cause of the fae’s disappearance.”
My chest swelled at the way she stood up for me while Sebastian shifted his weight from one foot to the other. It was good to have people look out for me while I did my best to tend to everyone else.
“Yes, ma’am,” he muttered.
I kissed the top of Grandma Richter’s graying head. She turned to Teddy and the girls, and I noted the dark circles under her eyes. I wasn’t sure why she’d made my mother her responsibility, but I was grateful for it. I was grateful for a lot from this old woman who’d taken me in as her own.
“Did Mother have another bad night?” I asked her quietly when she stood next to me.
She patted my arm. “She’s trying, Elias. Give her time.”
I was selfish in my desire for her to improve, while apart of me knew no amount of time would help her.I miss him too, Mama, but I hate that I’ve lost you as well.
I tugged Teddy closer to me and breathed in the soothing scent only she possessed.
And not for the first time, I was grateful I didn’t understand the depth of my mother’s grief.
Chapter
Seven
TEDDY
After showingGracie and her family where they could find Leah, Elias and I dropped the girls off at school a couple of hours late. While they weren’t thrilled to go, dragging their feet and whining the entire time, I wanted him for myself.
Aside from Hee-haw, our home was empty. And now that I had him alone, my anxiety mounted until it threatened to swallow me whole. Seated on the porch swing on our front patio, Elias took my hands and held my fingers in place so I couldn’t fidget. He lifted a single brow in question but waited, never pushing me for more than I was ready to give.
Elias brought my fingers to his lips, and I let out a heavy sigh. His lips turned down as he smoothed my hair back to kiss my forehead.
I was being ridiculous. I knew I was. Elias would be ecstatic over our news, yet I couldn’t shake the damning anxiety that claimed me.
“Whenever you’re ready to talk, I’m here,” he said so low I barely heardhim.
I chewed my bottom lip and drew in a long breath that I held in my lungs until they started to burn.
Damnit to hell, I was making this a lot more difficult than it needed to be.
Mentally, I slipped on my big-girl panties and drew in a quick breath.
“I have something big I have to tell you, and I’m like 99 percent sure you’re going to be happy about it. But I’m also scared it’s going to be one more thing on your shoulders when you already have so much.” I studied his face and the way his beautiful, violet eyes bore into me.
He caressed my cheek with his knuckles. “You don’t have to worry about me,mo elma.I’m okay.”
“You’re not, though,” I countered.
Eyes dimming, he drew his brows together.
“You don’t talk about it, and you hide it well, but I know you.” I paused. “Tell me you’re not exhausted.”
“Of course, I’m tired,” he admitted, his voice gruff. He ran a hand down his face, rubbing his chin before he settled his hand back on his lap. “I’m tired, and I miss you, and I’d love nothing more than to spend a week doing absolutely nothing with you and the kids. But I can’t right now, Teddy. Getting the fae back . . . it must take precedence over anything else.”
I couldn’t help the way my eyes started to burn with the threat of tears. Couldn’t stop my throat from bobbing at the hard swallow I took.
But this, knowing I was pregnant, wouldn’t change his priorities. It would only make him burden himself more. As if I hadn’t seen the way his eyes dulled when he noticed Juanita’s missing tooth.
