Page 45 of Surviving Enchantment: Part One
“You are pregnant?”
Her human seeming turned scarlet.“Yes.”
He looked her up and down.“Where is it?”
“The traditional place, my uterus just tilts back, so it’s not as visible as it would be otherwise.”
He paced toward her, and his hooves and antlers became apparent.This was the creature that had been with her in her hotel room.
A young woman said, “Uh, Solor, maybe you shouldn’t freak her out.”
Nylora looked at her for a second.“I have seen this manifestation before.”
He chuckled, and his tone was deeper when he said, “You did more than look, if I recall correctly.”
“Yeah, as I have a reminder while my feet slowly disappear.”
“I can’t sense it.”
“I have a bajillion concealments on it.You XIA guys get all funny if you sense a pregnancy.”
He smiled.“We do.Are you taken care of?”
“I have a roommate who cooks for me.We were foster siblings to the Mills family.”
He blinked.“Foster?”
“Yes.Long story.We didn’t even get to names, let alone personal histories.”She clutched the bag a little tighter.
Akkas walked up to her and said, “I will put it in the rig.There are some pastries that are best not combined.”
She reluctantly released the bag as Akkas tugged it from her with a jerk.“Butthead.”
She crossed her arms under her breasts, realized that the increase in her structure was now obvious, and she pulled her shirt out slightly and patted her hands on her hips.“Right.Um, so what brings you here?”
“You.I have been trying to meet you for a conversation for months.”He eased closer.
She looked up as he got closer.“Where’s the other one?”
“In the car, blocking the ambulance in.”
She blinked.“Ah, so you are committed to the conversation.”
“Yes.That is my little sister, Myor.”
“Uh-huh.I am going to get a crick in my neck if you get any closer.”
He stopped and said, “What shall we do about the child?”
Her stomach dropped, and she held her belly.“What do you mean?”
“I wish to be involved with its entry into the world and the rest of its life.Do you know the sex?”
“No.I don’t care, and it pisses people off.”
He smiled.“You have been well?”
“I can’t eat tacos anymore, and they were my favourite.I don’t actually enjoy—” she shuddered “—Vegetables.I don’t even know myself anymore.”She heard Myor and Jennel giggle.
