Page 33 of Pregnant With Their Babes

“The wreck that took my parents… there were stories in the papers about the ship going down and me being found alive. My grandmother keeps a scrapbook full of them—one she loves to share with guests.” Dagr winced. “She found it all so entertaining, the death of her only son.”

“Or maybe she was sharing the miraculous salvage of her beloved grandson,” Llyr whispered.

Dagr’s glare rose to his. The man’s hard edge softened a fraction—but not much. “I was never her belovedanything. I was her burden. Always in the way. She could barely glance my way.”

“Do you look like your father?” Llyr asked.

Dagr was silent.

“Darker, but yes,” Oz said. “Although I never met his father. From the portraits I’ve seen they are quite similar.”

“Perhaps you reminded her too much of the son she lost,” Llyr said, staring at Dagr. “Each time she gazed upon you, she might’ve seen him. And that could’ve hurt. More than you realize.”

Dagr and Oz stared at him, but said nothing.

“I’m sorry… I was unaware of your situation. At all. But there’s always two sides to a story. And…” Llyr took a deep breath, unsure his next words would be welcome or not. “You seem incapable of seeing the other side of any argument. It’s your way or nothing—and that’s unfair. At the very least, it’s a pity. I can’t imagine what you have lost by not being willing to see outside your narrow view. What you will continue to lose—if you’re unable to open your eyes and mind.”

“Narrow view?” Dagr asked, his scowl deepening.

“Yes,” Llyr continued, unafraid. “I can see you’re a good man.” He paused, taking a steadying breath. “When you look at Oz, I can see the love in your eyes. I realize you’re suspicious of me—and you have a right to be. I’m not of your world, and anything new can be a danger. If I were in your shoes, I’d likely be fearful of you, too.”

“I would say I’m unafraid, but that would be a lie. Do you know what Idofear?” Dagr asked.

Llyr captured Dagr’s golden brown focus. “What threat could I ever cause? You’re both bigger and stronger than I. I have no weapons.”

“Your weapon isyou. That gorgeous face and that body I can’t stop thinking of, especially in the dead of night. Those eyes that flutter and lure me in, forcing me to think of the pale pink lips inches below them—the ones I’ve hungered to taste since you first looked at me. What I truly fear is that we’ll open ourselves to this damnable attraction we both feel and allow you to rip our hearts out. I fear you’ll be the end of us both.” He glanced at Oz a moment before returning his gaze to Llyr. “I would give my life for him. And if that means protecting him from you, so be it.”

“And there shows that you arenota good man,” Llyr murmured.

Dagr’s eyes widened in anger.

“But a great one.” Llyr paused, staring up at Dagr. “Putting another you love before your own welfare… sounds much like what your own mother did for you. I bet you’re very much like her.”

“You don’t know my mother nor what she did.” Dagr sighed. “Hell,Idon’t know my own mother. Don’t attempt to use a perceived weakness against me.”

“That was not my intent! My papa died when I was born, so I understand that pain. Of not knowing… the hole it leaves within you.”

Dagr’s anger seemed to leech from him.

Llyr took a step closer, desperate to find a way into his walls. “My father blamed me for my papa’s death. I was also born an omega, which was my second sin. My elder brothers were alphas… and they were given more of our father’s time and attention. Me? I got nothing. I was raised by nannies—and Prawnsby, though I loathe to consider him any sort of a guide in my upbringing.”

“Prawnsby?” Oz asked.

“My guardian,” Llyr answered.

“More mermen,” Dagr spat.

“Oh no. A seahorse.”

Dagr met his stare, one brow rising.“A seahorse.”After a moment, he dragged his gaze away and eyed Oz. “A seahorse.” He dragged a hand through his hair before turning to Oz. “How am I supposed to take anything you say as the truth? One moment you open your heart to me and speak of a loss kin to mine. And then you ruin it a moment later with your delusions! I don’t know what to believe.” He shook his head. “Enough of this foolishness.”

It was obvious Dagr wanted nothing more to do with their conversation. Llyr had gotten nowhere. He lowered his head, saddened that he’d again failed to get past Dagr’s thick walls. There was little time left before he’d have to return…

And he refused to come between the two men. Either they both claimed him or nothing. His heart couldn’t allow for anything else.

Nor would theirs.

“We need to gather the crew and prepare to leave,” Oz said.

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