“It was a large splinter.”
She laughed and hugged Izzie back, then realized that something was different. She drew back and looked at her friend. Izzie had always been curvier than her, but she seemed even more so than usual. She was wearing a loose tunic, and beneath it?—
Her eyes widened, and Izzie’s hand immediately went to her stomach.
“I guess you noticed.”
“You’re pregnant?”
Izzie’s face lit up.
“Yes! We’re having a baby. Well, I’m having a baby. Baralt’s having a nervous breakdown.” She grinned at Polly, smoothingher hand over the unmistakable bump. “We’ve been keeping it quiet until we were sure everything was progressing normally. But the baby is strong and healthy, and I’m starting to show.”
She stared at that gentle curve, something warm and aching opening in her chest.
“May I?”
“Of course.”
Izzie took her hand and pressed it against the side of her belly. For a moment, nothing happened. Then she felt a delicate little flutter against her palm, and her throat tightened unexpectedly.
“Congratulations,” Njkall said from behind her.
Baralt appeared at his side, looking unbearably smug.
“The child is strong.”
Izzie rolled her eyes. “According to him, no other child has ever kicked before.”
“Not like that.”
“You’re impossible.”
Baralt’s expression softened as he looked at his mate, and she suddenly understood exactly why Izzie didn’t sound particularly annoyed.
“Come on,” Izzie said. “Before he starts telling you how exceptionally talented the baby is. Baralt has something for you.”
They went into the living room and Baralt handed her a small wooden box. She opened it, then gasped. Pieces of beach glass,green and blue and milky white, mixed with small fragments of coral in colors never found on Hothrest.
Warm colors. Ocean colors.
Her hands trembled as she lifted the folded note resting on top.
Polly—
Made it. The trip wasn’t bad. Kamat told me I don’t have to decide anything until I’m ready. She understands.
Sherae is warm. You were right about the ocean. It’s too big and I don’t trust it, but I like looking at it.
Athtar’s mate found me a job at a bar next to the ocean and the windows are always open.
I have my own room. The door locks from the inside. Sometimes I forget to lock it.
Don’t make a big deal about that.
I found the glass on the beach. I thought you could make something out of it.
Be happy.
