Page 93 of Secrets of Ruin

He pulled her close against his side. “Yes, we are, and I have you to thank for most of it.”

Kaylia smiled, but uneasiness tugged at her. They’d never discussed having children together or a future. They loved each other, and she assumed they would remain together, but she had no idea how he would react to learning she was pregnant.

CHAPTER NINETY-ONE

When they returned from Doomed Valley, they both started taking birth control potions again. This meant he wasn’t expecting to have a child anytime soon, even if he’d told her he’d like to be a father during one of their many conversations in the dungeon.

That didn’t mean he wanted a child now. They were both still healing from what happened to them, and nightmares continued to plague them, but together, they could do anything.

Kaylia’s hand instinctively went to her stomach and the tiny life nestled inside. She wanted the best for her child and would do anything to protect it, even if Brokk decided he wasn’t ready for this.

Why are you even thinking that? This is Brokk! He’s a good man who loves me deeply.

Maybe he wasn’t planning on having a baby right now, but while he might be shocked about her news, he wouldn’t be angry. And he wouldn’t abandon them.

A snow-white owl landed in the tree above them. She ruffled her feathers before settling in to watch them with her golden eyes.

Kaylia smiled when she saw her and lifted her arm. Ursula flew down to perch on her; she rubbed her soft head against Kaylia’s cheek before taking to the sky again.

Her familiar had finally returned last week. Kaylia had been so excited to see her, and they’d stayed close to each other ever since.

“She’s beautiful,” Brokk murmured.

“She is,” Kaylia agreed.

He kissed her cheek. “Like her witch.”

Kaylia smiled at him, but before she lost herself in his beautiful eyes, she looked away again. She’d kept her secret all day, but he deserved to know he would be a father. Plus, he’d figure it out soon enough. It wasn’t a secret that kept for long.

“Brokk….”

When he looked down at her, the smile slid from his face as worry replaced it. “What’s wrong?”

“I love you.”

He grinned at her. “I love you too.”

Unable to put it off anymore, she blurted, “I’m pregnant.”

His eyes widened, and he stopped walking. For a few seconds, he stood and stared at her before a big grin lit his face.

His eyes twinkled before he released a shout of joy. He seized her hips and lifted her off the ground before spinning her around.

Kaylia almost laughed at his happiness, but the spinning caused her stomach to lurch again. She was pretty sure she turned green as he suddenly set her down.

“I’m so sorry,” he said as he clasped her cheeks. “Are you okay?”

She pressed one hand to her mouth while holding the other up to him. Swallowing back her nausea, she managed a nod.

When she was sure she wouldn’t throw up on him, she smiled again. “I’m okay. Are you okay?”

With care, he pulled her closer and hugged her against his chest. “I’m better than okay. I’ve never been this happy before. A baby… our baby!”

Kaylia blinked away her tears while resting her fingers against his cheek. She hadn’t thought she could love him any more than she already did; she’d been wrong.

“When did this happen?” he asked.

“In the dungeon.”