Page 97 of Pregnant With Their Babes

“My dear, beautiful boy,” she murmured into his head as he held him close, sobbing against him. “I love you so much, Dagr.”

His eyes closed tight and squeezed her.I’ve spent my years waffling between love and hate. Love because you were my mother. Hate because you left me.He pulled back.How are you still alive?

“I’m not sure. I’ve reached out to other sorceresses under the sea, and none have an answer. I usedeverythingI had to save you—or so I thought. I drowned in that water and expected to die. When I awoke some time later, I was as surprised as anyone else.”

And father?

She shook her head, sadness welling in her eyes. “I never found him… or… his remains.”

Dagr lowered his head.

His mother tipped it up with her finger. “He loved you, from the moment you were born. And he was excited to bring you home, to show you off to his family. I’d ask if they treated you well, but given the fact you ran away, that’s doubtful.”

Dagr eyed her.You knew I ran away?

“I’ve checked in on you from time to time. You almost saw me once. At the port in the Eirish Isles a few months back.”

That was you?

She grinned. “I might not have been able to leave these waters, but I’ve done my best to watch over you and Oz.”

Dagr hugged her tight again.We wed soon. I wish you could be there.

“I’ll be there. You might not see me, but Iwillbe there.” She leaned back. “I have to see that all my hard work paid off and you ended up with the men you were destined for.”

Dagr grinned at her.

She waved him off. “Go enjoy that tail of yours with your mates… we can talk again soon.”

I have so many questions.

“And I will be here to answer them. Soon. You have a new love to nourish now.”

Dagr kissed her forehead before floating back some.

“Oh, wait one moment,” his mother said before swimming closer to Llyr. She rubbed Llyr’s swollen stomach, murmuring something. “A blessing for the young.” She cupped Llyr’s cheek. “Take care of them… my boys and yours.”

“I will,” Llyr said, gripping her hand to his cheek.

She hugged Llyr and Oz before watching them race through the water.

They swam, swirling around one another. Dagr smiled as he propelled himself forward, never happier than he was in that moment. He had everything he could ever desire.

And more.

* * *

Llyr swirled around his mates, spinning with joy. They would live their dreams, together—on land and in the sea. He couldn’t ask for more.

As they approached the shore, something hurtled toward them. Llyr spun to get a better look, just as that something crashed into Oz. Llyr and Dagr raced after the pair, watching a merman take Oz to the bottom of the ocean while punching him.

Another merman shot past him, forcing himself into the melee. Oz reared back and glared at the two. “How? How are you alive?”

Llyr searched between the three.

“His brothers,” Dagr murmured to Llyr. “Oz’s supposedlydeadbrothers—Tyne and Brandt.” He swam closer, pushing Llyr behind him. “Stay back. Brandt can be volatile.”

Llyr’s gut clenched.

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