Page 71 of The Lost Nation

I saw it the moment Kieran understood. His face went white, and he took a physical step back away from everyone. I whirled back to Ronan, an awful fear freezing my veins.

“Damnit Ronan, what was the price?” I demanded.

He closed his eyes, then opened them with a firm resolve. “Baila and Luci paid the remaining debt, but the first part was straightforward. For the innocent babes lost to the white magick, it took the potential of innocents not yet born.”

Horror twisted my features as my stomach dropped into my feet. I glanced at Benedict—my proud warrior, who held family as his most prized possession. Who'd had all of his family taken away, and now had the possibility of anymore stripped as well.

I seized Benedict’s hand, even as he tried to pull away from me. “The price was his ability to father children.” I whispered.

Kieran’s mouth opened, but Ronan shushed him, his eyes intent as I draped myself across Benedict’s chest.“This changes nothing. Iloveyou.”

Benedict’s head bent down to nuzzle into my neck, and then every muscle in his body froze. Kieran smirked, and whispered into Ronan's ear. Ronan sputtered in suprise.

Benedict's hands came to cup both sides of my face, and I stood perfectly still as he sniffed again, but deeper.

“It isn’t...I didn’t—” He stammered.

Kieran blushed. "I smelled it faintly the morning you left. I wanted to wait until you could smell it too."

Benedict didn't acknowledge him. His sparkling amethyst eyes only acknowledged me.“My queen. Myqueen.”

His lips met mine as if everything he was, and everything hecould bepoured into me through that kiss. One hand gripped my waist hard enough to bruise, but I didn’tcare. I stroked the outline of his fangs with my tongue, and felt his hardness rage against my stomach. With a gasp he broke away first, his teeth grazing against my neck. Then he went rigid, and with great effort, pulled away.“We will need to supply you with blood regularly as the child grows. I remember this from before.”

Even as he said it I felt the pull—the risingneedin me for something other than sex from him. My eyes narrowed to the pulsing vein in his neck, and he laughed and lifted me over his shoulder.

Just like he had when he’d first taken me from the breeding manor.

Kieran and Ronan waved sarcastically as Benedict took off, flying us over a celebrating island as he made his way back to our treehouse.

My feet had barely hit the floor of our balcony before I turned to him, my fangs already dripping with saliva as I anticipated the taste of his blood. When I saw his stricken face, I immediately backed away.

“What is it now?” I asked, my lust-filled haze fading away in lieu of his pain. Benedict walked inside, and sat down on the massive bed. “Baila is gone. And Luci. They sacrificed themselves to help restore the balance. I find it hard to believe any joy that is given to me.”

A hole ripped itself in my heart, and guilt rushed in. When had I last visited the little fire witch? I’d told her multiple times I’d forgiven her for hurting me, but had I really tried my best to let her know? “I am sorry about Baila. I know you were sad she wished to remain as she was.”

My hand found his and squeezed, the pads of my thumb tracing the calluses and scars that covered his skin.

Benedict’s former sister-turned-fire-demon had refused all attempts at help from the blood witches. She hadn’t wanted to be experimented on anymore. I understood, but Benedict struggled with it.

Baila had far too many hands on her body that had been against her will. If anything, she’d earned the right to refuse any more.

“I am the barren king,” he said next, and I lifted his chin with one claw. His eyes brimmed with tears, and my heart broke all over again for my wounded warrior.

“I am pregnant. The child could be yours.” I put one hand on my stomach for emphasis, and he covered it with his massive hand. He drew me into his chest, and laid us both down on the bed. One of his hands stayed on my stomach, the other trailed up and down the curves of my body.

“It could just as easily be Ronan or Kieran’s.”

I huffed. “Kieran said you already told him he would choose an heir from his or Ronan’s children should you die in battle. I fail to see how this is any different. It’spreferablereally. What if the balance had demanded your lives?”

I saw the pain in his eyes—how he struggled with the knowledge. How hewouldhave wanted to give his life before, but things had changed dramatically. Without saying a word, I knew he wouldn’t have been able to do it. He loved me too fiercely to leave me.

“That’s not selfish, you know.” I said quietly, needing him to understand.

He shook his head. “Baila and Luci had wretched lives. They were just starting to turn things around. Why would they face more horror?” He wondered out loud, his voice breaking slightly.

I thought carefully before I spoke again.“Sometimes, the only ones whocanface such horrors are the ones who have already tasted it. Or perhaps this was their way of overcoming their fear—facing it head on. Those who have never known such fear or such terror ... they couldn't possibly overcome it. Baila and Luci made their choice.Havingthechoiceis what matters.”

Benedict went quiet, his fingers stroking lazily against the small roll of fat on my stomach. I’d been so thin as a slave, but now I was almost gettingplump. I wondered what my belly would look like once it was rounded with child.

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