Page 17 of Pregnant With Their Babes

After a few more lengths of Oz’s pacing, the doctor finally turned to them. “I don’t see any long-term ill effects from his seafaring adventure.”

“But let him tell you the tales of him being a merman,” Dagr offered. “Heobviouslyhit his head. He’s delusional.”

“A merman?” Llyr scrunched up his nose, looking much too cute for a liar. “Whateverare you talking about? You sound positivelyunbalanced.”

“Hedidsay it,” Oz spoke up, glaring at Llyr. “I was there, too.”

Llyr eyed the physician. “I have no idea what they’re up to—obviously they’re trying to make me seem deranged. Maybe you should checktheirheads for bumps.”

Oz’s mouth dropped open, but he shut it. If they forced the topic, it would only cause them to sound like the ridiculous ones. Casting a look at Dagr, he saw indignation in his friend’s eyes—but he shook his head to curb an argument.

The doctor tossed the last few of his tools back into his bag. “Gargle with salt water to help the throat. Maybe some honey tea, too. That should fix ye right up.” He closed his bag and lifted it from the bed. “Some rest won’t be too bad, neither.”

“Thank you,” Llyr said, smiling up at the doctor.

The physician spun to face Oz and Dagr before putting his hand out. “For my time?”

Oz sighed before brandishing a coin. Before he rested it in the man’s palm he posed a question. “Have you heard of anyone missing from the area?” He glanced at Llyr before focusing back on the doctor. “Any bandits running from the law?”

“Nay,” the doctor answered. “But ye best be askin’ the constable. He usually comes in below for a pint most ev’nings. ‘Round nine, as I hear it.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Oz said, placing the coin in the man’s palm.

“Aye, lads. Have a fine one,” the man said before sauntering out with the gait of a man too old to be making house calls for much longer.

Oz turned his attention to Llyr as the door closed. “Wesounded unbalanced? You clearly said you were a merman.”

“Shhh,” Llyr commanded with an arrogant tilt to his chin. The expression on their merman’s face shouldn’t have induced Oz’s desire to kiss those provocative pink lips, but he did.

Llyr clicked his tongue, as if scolding a child. “I’ve heard the horror stories of what humans do to merfolk when they’re captured. You don’t need to tell everyone what I am. I trusted you with my secret… and I demand you keep it.”

“You demand…?” Oz’s eyes went wide as he glared at their supposed merman. He struggled to keep the scowl—not when the man looked too delicious for any anger. Before he could ask why Llyr had felt they were capable of the handling the truth when he feared being found out, Dagr interrupted him.

“You’re off your chump, you are,” Dagr declared. He shook his head and focused on Oz. “Nuttier than a foraging squirrel in autumn.”

“In six days I can prove what I am,” Llyr stated. “Then there’ll be no doubts that I am quite sane. My tail is a beautiful shade of blue green.”

“Like your eyes,” Dagr murmured.

Oz spun to meet Dagr’s gaze, lifting a brow. Dagr caught his meaning and closed his eyes a moment, seeming to gather himself.

“Too bad we won’t be around in six days to see it,” Dagr spat once he reopened them.

Oz sensed Dagr was being insincere, but still he gasped inwardly. Neither of them had said anything about parting ways. Yes, they’d made a pact to stay away from Llyr. Distance would be smart, but the hell if he wanted that.

Llyr eyed Dagr, then Oz, fear growing in the swirling depths of his eyes. “Why wouldn’t you both see it? Do you plan to abandon me here? With nothing… knowing no one… without a means to protect myself?”

Oz clenched his teeth, yearning to surrender to his need and claim the man as his body demanded. But he had to remember Llyr’s motives were unclear. He could be a danger to them both.We promised each other to stay away.“Imustreturn home. You can remain in this room while we’re in port, and I’ll secure passage on a ship to wherever you wish to go.”

Llyr’s eyes grew ever wider, his pale skin going white. “But what if where I want to go is with you?”

“You’re unable to go where we’re going,” Dagr replied.

Oz lifted his stare to see Llyr’s reaction to that. Dagr was right. They were late enough as it was. His father was already furious they weren’t home already. There was no time to dally with an uninvited guest.

Their merman rose from the bed, his face a mask of terror. “I have no knowledge of this world. I told you what I was. I thought you would aid me in my travels here.”

“Help you with what exactly?” Oz asked.

---