Page 46 of Pregnant With Their Babes

“We call it something similar—a betrothal,” Dagr answered. “A contract before the wedding occurs.”

“Yes… they’re quite the same.”

“Can they sign the troth in your absence?” Oz asked.

“By law, I must be present and verbally accept the troth before the kingdom. I ran away the night it was supposed to take place. While the whole city was inside the castle walls awaiting a celebration, I snuck through the caverns underneath and rushed to the Enchantress. She gifted me with legs and this pendant in exchange for the bag of coins I’d been saving.” His hand lifted up, reaching for it as if he checked the necklace was still in place.

“Why’s your father so keen on marrying you to a child?” Dagr asked.

“There’s been a rift between our nations for as long as I can remember. Me marrying Alphonse is supposed to repair relations, from what I was told.” Llyr sighed. “I recognize that I should do my duty and marry for the good of my people—but—this boy? It’s not right. I feel trapped. I was given no voice. No choice.” His face fell. “I’ve spent my life a prisoner and have no desire to now be held captive in a loveless marriage. I panicked and I ran.” He glanced at them both. “And then I found you both—and I experienced a bond that I’ve never felt before. Withanyone—not that I’ve all that much experience with lovers. Yet… I sensed I could trust you—that you’d protect me.” He shook his head. “I’m the one you needed protection from. I brought you into the middle of a fight that wasn’t yours.”

“Your father has no right to put those kinds of demands on you…

“Pot meet kettle,” Dagr said under his breath.

Oz ignored Dagr’s little dig. “Then to send these creatures after you… to hunt you like prey?” Oz paused. “It’s not right. And it’s not your fault.”

“Unless there’s anything you’re not telling us?” Dagr asked.

Llyr frowned. “I simply wished to escape aterriblesituation.” He paused. “Though, itisillegal for me to reveal myself to humans. So, there’s that…”

“Not an offense worthy of the kind of attack we suffered, in my opinion,” Dagr stated. He sauntered closer and eyed the pendant. “How did you know this would push them back?”

“I didn’t,” Llyr said. “But Ihadto try something. There were too many of them—and there was no way your men could fight them off.”

Dagr lifted his stare to capture Llyr’s. “This thing must be quite powerful to do what it did.”

“I think it’sdoing more than keeping the Draugar at bay.”

“Why’s that?” Oz asked.

Llyr faced him. “When it was off… that’s when my heat grew stronger. It’s apparently been holding it back… hiding the truth from me.”

“What truth is that?” Oz asked.

Llyr lifted his stare, eyes wide. His mouth opened, but closed before anything came out. “That—That I was in heat. It was hidingthatfrom me.”

Oz tensed, sensing Llyr was withholding something. It was the first time since meeting Llyr that he’d sensed it, though.

Llyr continued. “I sensed something simmering under the surface. You both said you’ve experienced an odd attraction. Perhaps you were reacting to my latent heat.”

“But no one else seems to be reacting,” Oz stated. “Why is that?”

Llyr shrugged. “I’ve been nearer to you both for the last few days. Proximity perhaps?”

“Possibly,” Oz replied, but that didn’t seem right. Yes, they’d been closer in some regard, but the ship was filled with men. None of them had shown any sort of attraction to Llyr.

Llyr squeezed the pendant tighter. “The need slammed into me tonight… Ihadto have you both. I wanted you bothsodesperately.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I’ve never felt something so intense.”

Nor had Oz. He had been out of control of himself. He’d enjoyed the wild abandon. It was like being drunk, yet sober—all at the same time. He’d had no choice in the matter—he’d simply acted on impulse.

Innate need.

And it had been wonderful.

“How often do omega mermen go into heat?” Dagr asked.

Llyr focused his attention on Dagr. “Sonowyou believe I’m a merman?”

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