Page 52 of Pregnant With Their Babes

A stirring in his chest came at Oz’s words. It did seem as if he was meant to be there, with them. He met Oz’s gaze before flicking over to Dagr’s. His heart was ready to burst with the hint of emotions he saw in their eyes.

His instinct roared within his mind, but he struggled to understand how these two males could truly be his. They were of two different worlds.Vastlydifferent worlds. In his, mating with anyone but his own kind was illegal. His father wouldneveraccept the throupling. They’d have to be on the run the rest of their lives and that was no way to exist.

He spied them both as they cuddled around him. Llyr felt safe and warm in their strong embrace. He never desired to leave these two.

His mates.

Tears stung behind his eyes. Could the fates truly be that cruel to give him two humans he could never have?

Llyr lay there, listening to their breathing steady and eventually slow. They held him close, even in slumber. He labored to find sleep once he realized he belonged to them—comprehending he’d never be allowed to fulfil that destiny.

Gray morning light filled the cabin as the sun rose. From his vantage point on the bed, he could see the sun rising above the horizon in the most majestic event he’d ever witnessed. There was such beauty in the world above the sea—and he wished to witness it all.

Of course, he missed some parts of his life there.

But he’d never felt truly alive until he’d met them.

He swallowed back the tears and closed his eyes, attempting to rest. Reaching for the pendant one last time, he ensured it was still around his neck before drifting off.

9

The morning air was brisk as Oz sipped from his coffee cup. He leaned against the starboard railing of the bridge, searching the water for signs of the monsters trailing them. Though he’d expended enough energy to sleep for days, he’d slept little the night before. Between the battle and the sex that followed, he was exhausted—yet his body refused to calm.

He had a crew to protect.

And his Dagr and Llyr.

A smile came to his lips as he brought the cup for another sip. He already thought of Llyr as his.

No.Theirs.Their merman.

Alas, he could truly have neither male.

Not forever. But for now, they were his.

“Cap’n?”

Oz turned to see their quartermaster ambling closer, hat in hand. “Ah, yes, Mr. Tyler? How are our injured?”

“Improved this mornin’, sir. I think our guest has a better hand at healin’ than tha ole doc ever did.”

“I noticed how well he tended to the men.”

“Aye,” Mr. Tyler. “But tha men hav’ been murmurin’ all night. They were wonderin’ how Mr. Llyr was able ta force tha beasts back. Is he… a witch?” Mr. Tyler clutched at his hat tighter. “Never heard of a man bein’ a witch ‘fore, though.”

“He’s no witch—but he does have a protection spell cast over him.” A thought swept into his mind. If his crew caught wind of what Llyr was, they might wish their merman harm. Best to nip the rumors as best he could. “It’s why he survived when he was in the water. That spell saved him.”

Mr. Tyler’s mouth and eyes widened. “So tha’s why. Makes more sense now.” The quartermaster shook his head. “Mus’ be sum spell ta give him thus. We should all be so blessed.”

“Aye,” Oz murmured. But then he realized he’d just put a target on Llyr’s pendant. “I almost thought of taking it for myself. Too bad it can only work for him.”

Mr. Tyler lifted a brow. “Ye would steal from Mr. Llyr?”

“A bounty that good? Tell me the thought didn’t drift into your mind.”

Mr. Tyler chuckled. “Drifted? Aye. Perchance it did.” He stood a little straighter. “But I would never.”

“Of course not,” Oz replied with a smile. “You are an honorable man. One I hear would be interested in the captaining of this boat in the future.”

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