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It was too late to change courses. Whether they were ready or not, this baby was coming, and she knew she would need his support if she were going to make it through this.
Aelwen had already kept her pregnancy a secret from Vinir for several days as she worked up the courage to see him again, and now that they were here together, she knew she wouldn't have a better chance to tell him the good news. Now was the time to tell him, but why couldn't she get her mouth to work?
"Listen, Aelwen," Vinir said suddenly, propping himself up on an elbow to get a better look at her. There was a sheen of sweat still on his chest. "Before the drake appeared, I wanted to tell you ... I don't think of this marriage as a cage."
Her brow furrowed. "You don't? But I thought you didn't want this."
"Maybe not at first, but that was before I met you." He swallowed. "Despite our bumpy start, you made a good impression on our wedding day."
Aelwen threw her head back and laughed. "Are you sure about that? I was heartbroken and devastated that you wouldn't treat me like your wife."
"That was my mistake. I ... I genuinely thought that my curse would hurt you, and no matter what people tell you about me, I've never hurt a woman, Aelwen. Not unless she attacked me first. The only time I ... it happened was when the curse first hit me. I was with a woman then, and we ... Gods, I didn't mean to hurt her. I swear on my grave."
Her eyes skittered over his face, gauging how truthful he was being. There were many stories about Vinir's temper and violent sexual tendencies, but she hadn't seen any of that violence manifest when they were together. Sure, he was rougharound the edges, but at his heart, she knew Vinir was a good man.
"I believe you," she said and grabbed his hand, splaying their fingers against each other. His fingers were much larger than hers, a little rougher, but still smooth and strong. "So you were cursed with a touch that kills."
He nodded, those gray eyes pinning her in place. " My touch, accidental or otherwise have seared everyone except for you. You're the only one who's been spared, Aelwen." His fingers curled through hers, and their hands clasped together. "I wonder why that is?"
She smiled shyly. "Maybe we were simply meant to be."
"Maybe so."
He leaned in to kiss her again, and Aelwen sighed into his mouth, melting against him. Her heart raced at his touch, every part of him making her feel more alive, more comfortable.
"Vinir ... there's something I haven't been telling you.” She whispered as soon as he pulled his mouth away from his.
A look of concern crossed his face. "What is it?"
Her cheeks warmed, and she glanced away, unable to look at him directly despite knowing the importance of this conversation. "A few days ago, I found out ... I ... the healer ..." She swallowed, drawing strength from his steady presence, and looked up to face him directly. "Vinir, I'm pregnant."
His eyes widen somewhat. "P-pregnant? Already?"
She nodded, unsure of if his response was horrified or simply shock.
"Vinir?"
He shook his head, looking slightly dazed. "I ... I didn't expect this." He took a deep breath and then smiled. "But it's not bad news. This is good news." After a beat, he chuckled and shook his head again in disbelief. "Oh, Aelwen ... I don't know what to say."
Aelwen smiled softly. "You don't need to say anything. We can take it one step at a time. It's early days yet, but we can make plans for the future. There's only one thing that I definitely need from you, Vinir."
He reached up to cup her cheek with her other hand. "What is it?"
"I need you to treat me as your wife, not ..., not like a stranger. This is unfamiliar territory for both of us, but I ... I can't do this alone, Vinir. I need you."
She watched with relief as Vinir's expression softened, his hand squeezing hers gently. He looked deeply into her eyes, speaking volumes without words before taking her in his arms again and pressing a kiss against the top of her head.
"Of course. You have nothing to worry about. If there's anything I've realized tonight, it's that I made a horrible mistake by shutting you out. You were right from the beginning. We should be a team, and it can start with this. With our child."
Aelwen grinned, her heart soaring with relief. She felt light all over like she could float away on a cloud of happiness at any moment. "I'm sure it's not something either of us expected so soon, but I'm already looking forward to raising our child together."
Vinir's eyes warmed with affection as he looked at her, and she couldn't help but smile back at him.
"Me too."
They lay there in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company. But at long last, a crinkle of dawn began to appear on the horizon, and Aelwen shot up from their resting place with worry.
"Dawn is coming!" she cried out. "We need to get you inside."
