Page 153 of The Nymph Prince
“Are you still sleepin’ well?” Alek asked.
Alek had been making me a nightly tonic to help with my night terrors. The tonic helped with nightmares and eased the mind into a restful sleep. Just like Eva, Alek had infused it with his healing magic.
“My sleep is fine,” I answered. “Wonderful, actually.”
The images that used to wake me had often sent me into a sort of paralysis; I’d be awake but hadn’t been able to move or speak. Ever since Alek had begun making me the tonic, I’d slept like a baby.
A baby.My heart leapt at the thought.
“We haven’t discussed what I know you’ve been dyin’ to,” Alek whispered, stroking my cheek with the back of his hand. “What Haman told you. About me. It’s been months, and you still haven’t mentioned it.”
It was almost as if he’d been able to read my mind.
My gaze flashed to his. Many times I’d nearly asked him about it, but there hadn’t been enough ambrosia in the world, land or sea, to give me the courage to do so.
“I want a family with you, Alek,” I finally said, finding comfort in his brown eyes. “The life Haman spoke of…one with our son…I want it more than anything.”
Alek’s features softened. “You saidour son.”
“I did.”
“I like the sound of that.” Tears glistened in his eyes.
I kissed his smooth chest before nipping at his nipple.
“Little demon.” He chuckled and rolled me to my back. His smile was breathtaking as he peered down at me. “It’s really what you want?”
“Yes.” I cupped his handsome face in my hand. “I’m not sure how we’ll do it. But I want a family with you.”
Alek’s cheeks warmed. “I thought we might ask Eva.”
My gut coiled with that possessive feeling. I wasn’t a fool. I knew how babies came into this world. I just hadn’t given it much consideration. I wouldn’t be able to endure him bedding Eva, and I suspected he felt just as strongly about me.
“And one of us will…be…with her?” I asked, dreading his answer.
“No,” he growled, holding me tighter. “There must be another way. And I’ll find it.”
“What about your magic?” I asked, mentally kicking myself for not thinking of it earlier. “When I was little, I remember hearing stories of babies born from magic.”
Alek’s brows pulled together. “How?”
“Well, men loving men is common among merfolk,” I explained. “And those men sometimes wish to have a family. I’m not sure how it was performed, but there was a ritual and the woman would carry their child.”
“The child would be both of theirs?”
I nodded. “Looks like you need to start researching, mage.”
“If onlyyoucould grow our child in that delicious belly of yours,” Alek said before sliding down and blowing on my stomach.
I laughed as he tickled me. “Stop!”
He did it again, and I felt him smile against my skin as I squirmed.
When we finally went to sleep, I lay in his arms, wondering how I ever got so lucky to be loved by him.
36
Alek
