Page 91 of He Who Ignites The Flame
Lucia seemed to almost tense at his words, but she eased almost immediately.
This wasn’t right.
“I’ll let you know in a few days,” I said.
“Thank you,” Damien said and leaned in to press a kiss to Lucia’s forehead. “Do you mind keeping her company today? I figured I’d help Zephyr catch up on some work since I wasn’t in yesterday.”
I shrugged. “I didn’t have any plans. As long as she’s all right putting up with me.”
Her lips curved into a knowing smile. “I guess I can deal with your antics for a bit.”
“She’s had some contractions off and on over the last twenty-four hours,” Damien said. “The midwives don’t think she’s in active labor yet. Send for me if anything changes, though.”
I nodded. “Zephyr told me yesterday.”
“I’ll try to get things done quickly. I should only be a few hours,” he said and turned to Lucia. “See you this evening,mea luna.”
“Don’t work too hard,mea sol,” she teased and tensed suddenly before a soft laugh slipped from her throat as her hand fell to her stomach. “Goodness, she’s full of energy today.”
I blinked. “She?”
Lucia’s eyes lit up. “Yes. I’ve felt her energy for a while. We kept it a secret, but I guess it’s time you knew.”
My heart soared at the news, and I tried to imagine what she might look like, if she would have Lucia’s dark hair. “Have you picked out a name?”
“Emilia,” she said, resting a hand against her belly.
“It’s perfect,” I muttered, eager to see her through this, to see them together and happy. “I hope you know I plan to spoil her rotten.”
She snickered. “Oh, I don’t doubt that.”
“I wonder what she’ll be,” Damien whispered, almost to himself. “If she’ll have magic as you do.”
Lucia looked down at her stomach knowingly. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
Damien pressed a kiss to her knuckles once more. “I’ll try not to be gone long.”
He turned and headed for the door, and I glanced at Lucia. “I’ll be right back.”
I rose and followed him into the hallway, waiting until we were some distance from their room before grabbing his arm. “Damien, can I speak to you for a second?”
He stopped and turned to me, dark brows rising. “What is it?”
“What’s all this really about?” I asked.
His brows furrowed, and for a moment I thought he was going to deny that something was off. He glanced past me before letting out a sigh. “She decided to step down a few weeks ago.”
“Why, though?”
“I don’t know,” he said with such defeat, it halted my train of thought. “I don’t think I’m the only one who has noticed how she’s changed since the battle with the darkling queen.”
“You’re not.”
He raked his fingers through his hair and let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know what else to do. She won’t tell me what happened—even mentioning it seems to tear down her spirits—and I can’t bring myself to ask her any further.”
There had been many times when I had found her alone, staring off into nothing, as if her mind was somewhere else entirely. At times she would lose track of our conversations, and she seemed to be slowly closing herself off from the outside world. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was on bed rest, I’d have taken her out to see the city, the relief efforts. The people missed her, asked about her constantly—prayed for her safety, an easy delivery, a healthy babe.
“She brushes it off like its nothing to be concerned about, but…” Damien lifted his eyes to me, and the concern in them broke me. “I’m worried about her.”
