Everyone started talking all at once again, but conversation was cut short when Delmare abruptly turned green. She quickly opened a window, and leaned out of it to vomit. I heard the sounds of a couple disgusted servants as her puke splattered against the cobblestone a floor down.
Damn, she hadn’t even had time to make it to the bathroom. Clearly, Vara wasn’t the only one around here with morning sickness problems.
Delmare pulled herself off the windowsill, looking dazed. Stefan’s mouth instantly downturned.
“All right, that’s it!” Stefan took Delmare’s arm and spun her around. “You’re going to tell meexactlywhat’s going on with you!”
Delmare looked up at him, then glanced at me. I waved quickly, in a gesture that meant totell him. Odette bounced next to me, grinning wickedly and circling a hand over her belly like she was nine months along.
Wow, Odette. Way to be subtle.
Delmare blinked a few times as she looked back at Stefan. “Uh… I’m pregnant. Surprise?”
Stefan’s mouth dropped to the floor. There were a couple of gasps, and I watched Ethan’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Odette was on edge, her fists clenched like this was the climax of her favorite show.
“You’re not fucking around?” Stefan squeaked out. “You’re actually pregnant?”
Delmare’s lips turned flat, and she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’m just puking my guts out every day for a gag. What kind of a prank do you think this—”
Delmare yelped as Stefan swept her off her feet and into his arms. He bounced her up and down, crying, “What the hell! This just made my fucking day! I’m going to be afather!”
Delmare gagged, and Stefan hurriedly put her down. “Oh, gods, sorry babe,” Stefan said, and he reached out to rub her back. “Didn’t mean to do that.”
“I’m okay,” Delmare said, and she wiped at her mouth. Her dark eyes were worrisome as she added, “You’re not…mad, right?”
“Why would I be mad? This is awesome news!” He took her into a hug. “We’re going to have a little dragon! I hope he or she is just likeyou.”
“Weallhope that,” Ethan called out. Stefan didn’t even acknowledge the tease, just squeezed Delmare tighter.
Delmare hugged him back and let out a great sigh. She held Stefan like his approval was all she’d wanted.
Stefan let her go, running around the room like a griffin with its head cut off. “Bring out the wine!” Stefan shouted, calling to the kitchen. “And all the best ale!”
“It’s nine in the morning!” Alexei objected.
“That just means we start the partyearly!” Stefan said. “My babycakes and I are going tohavea baby!”
The dining room broke out into a flurry of activity again as news of my father was forgotten and the announcement of a new life coming into the world took over. My feelings convoluted into a mixture of happiness and sorrow as I watched my friends celebrate the eventual arrival of their child... one that I’d never get to have.
I figured now was the time to take my chance to slip out unnoticed. Ethan saw the look on my face and reached out for me. “Onawilke…”
I didn’t let him touch me. It would feel like nails on my skin, at the moment. “It’s fine, Ethan. I have to find Arthur. I’ll see you later.”
I picked up my skirts and left the dining hall. I ignored the ache in my chest and instead turned to the library, where I knew I’d find Arthur.
Towman, ever my shadow, trailed me from behind as I wandered throughout the palace. He only left me alone when I asked him to guard the door outside the library. My brother was sitting at one of the long tables in the middle of the room, waiting for Lord Lucien.
I was glad Lucien hadn’t arrived yet. I wanted a private moment to speak with my brother. I slid on the bench beside him, and he looked up from the book he was reading.
“Hey,” I said. “How are you?”
There were bags under his eyes. He rubbed his face and said, “Tired. Vara wasn’t feeling well. It lasted all night.”
“You know that’s not what I’m asking,” I said. “How are you about… well, our dad?”
It still felt so weird calling him that, but there wasn’t any other title I could use that fit.
Arthur’s face was caught between confusion and contemplation. “It’s hard, knowing the truth of what he did. But I understand why he chose to, and it’s probably the reason both of us are alive today. I’m willing to leave the past behind us and enjoy the time we have with him now.”
