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“You know why,” he replied.
“It’s too dangerous. Of course. I’m just a weak human woman in the middle of a brawl between a nasty bitch who thinks she’s entitled to anything she wants and horde king with everything she desires.” I folded my arms over my chest. “It’ll be better for me if I just disappeared on my own.”
He shook his head. “No, Visla…don’t do that.”
“You want me to get on a shuttle to where?”
“To Xtarra. It’s an outpost. Until I’ve fixed this mess I want you to stay there. You will have two maid women and six of my hordesmen. They will pledge their loyalty to you before they leave this soil. They are ready and they are willing. I cannot allow threats intended for me to harm you. I must remove them.”
I bit my lip as a deep ache filled my gut. I was torn. But Khol was right.
“And then what? I go to Xtarra, and then what?”
“And then I will come for you,” he said.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded.
“You can’t be sure. I can tell you don’t want to say it. You’re up against a nasty bitch. She’s sent men here to threaten you. What if this ends badly? What if I don’t see you again?”
“You will see me again.”
“You’re just saying that. You’re a warrior.”
“Yes, Visla. I’m a warrior. I will die in battle and one day, you will get the news. That is the way of a hordesmen. That is the only way into the afterlife. But we live on. We plant the seed and we live on.” He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into his embrace. “Promise me you’ll go to protect yourself. Promise me you’ll go to protect our child.”
My eyes widened and I gasped. Butterflies came alive in my belly. “You knew?”
“When I came back from Nunbar and woke up from my medical rest, I perceived something different about you. I’ve been thinking about it and noticing the changes in your body. Your breasts swell and your scent is much sweeter.”
“I…I…knew something was up with me. I haven’t gotten a chance to visit a human doctor. I thought I might get a pregnancy test, but I haven’t had time.”
“It’s okay. We don’t need a test, love. I am certain you are carrying my child.”
I clutched him tighter. “This is exciting and scary at the same time.”
“It is.” He cupped my chin. “Don’t worry about a thing.”
“Is this why you’re sending me away? Because of the baby I’m carrying?”
“I would have sent you away regardless to make sure that you’re safe. It won’t be long before others sense the change. You will give birth to the future heir of Dretis. No matter what, do not forget that. You must tell my child who they are. Promise me? You must tell them what belongs to them.”
“Yes, yes, okay.” She nodded.
“You didn’t go the first time. You refused, remember?”
“You had just gotten back. I wanted to stay with you.”
“I know. I love you, Visla. Now and forever, I do.”
“I love you too. I’m really pregnant, aren’t I?” Tears brimmed in my eyes. A few drops spilled down my cheeks but Khol wiped them away.
“That was the plan.”
I giggled. “Wait a minute? You planned to knock me up?”
“I want you to be the mother to my children just as I want you as my mate. Will you accept me?”
