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It’s been hours.
My nausea kicks back up again as I wait, and I’m forced to empty my stomach more than once. This can’t be good for the baby—and even as I think about that, it sends me reeling to consider that I’m pregnant.
I’m going to be a mom.
It’s strange and new and I wish I was excited because Ilovethis kid’s father…but I’m just scared.
I have to protect her.
And Javi promised he would protect us both, even if it meant his life.
“Where are you, Javi?” I whisper to myself, going back to the window for what feels like the thousandth time. It’s pitch black out, the floodlights off, the Heavenly Host ship still sitting on the deck. I can only see because of my lycan senses, and even those are practically useless out here. No one is even on the deck, still in the main complex of the mess hall.
They could be in there all night, and it’s connected to other buildings—the barracks for visitors and unmated lycan, my father’s throne room, and of course, the brig.
And somewhere in there is Javi, his heart thudding slowly.
My heart leaps into my throat when I see a group of people heading out of the mess toward the Angel’s ship, the creature flanked by his two big guards. I squint to make out their features, finding my father, Abel, a couple others I grew up with…but no Javi.
“Where are you?” I repeat.
Gideon shakes hands with the Angel and they say goodbye as I strain to hear them. I can’t make anything out through the grimy old window, especially when I’m nervous enough that I hide my face. I don’t want them to see me watching, and I definitely don’t want them to know I’m trying to listen. I poke my head up again and watch as the Heavenly Host ship hovers over the deck, the Rig rumbling slightly…and then it zips off into the night.
The floodlights don’t come back on. I guess it must be protocol to leave them off out of courtesy to the Angels. They don’t tend to like bright lights.
My father diverts course and heads toward the citadel, and I rush away from the window to pretend I wasn’t watching. I sit down on the bed and dive under the covers, acting like I was sleeping this whole time like I was supposed to be. Right on cue, I hear the doorknob turn, and he lets himself in unannounced.
“Esther,” he says, the usual hint of cruelty in his voice. “Wake up.”
I open my eyes and look over at him, pulling the blanket to my chin. He crosses his arms and leans against the wall, a sick smile on his face.
I don’t say anything.
I’ll keep following his rules until Javi is safe and back in my arms. I’ll do whatever it takes.
“You’re permitted to speak, Esther,” he says.
I nod. “What can I do for you, Prime?”
I can’t ask about Javi yet, no matter how much I want to.
As far as I know, he’s safe and has just been assigned to some silly task. His heart is still beating, after all, and I don’t want to attract attention.
“Hm…” he says. “Well, you can start my telling me how long you’ve been play acting at being obedient.”
I gulp, my eyes going wide. I’ve always been terrible at hiding my emotions, and now is no exception. Adrenaline surges through me, my wolf threatening to come out to play. In fact, she already has; my fingernails have turned to claws, piercing the sheets in my hands.
“I don’t…I don’t know what you mean,” I whisper.
His usual congenial smile drops, giving way to something horrible.
“Don’t lie to me,” he snarls. “Not anymore, you lying littlebitch.”
I pull my knees to my chest, assuming a defensive position. I’m scared, yeah—but there’s a beast inside me that knows I’ll fight to protect the little life Javi and I made together. It gives me strength, reminding me that I’m not alone anymore.
I have a family to take care of—Javi included.
“Where is he?” I ask, emboldened by my lycan fury.
