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“So, it is his baby, right?” Tanya asks.
“I think so,” I reply quietly.
“I mean… he would know,” Tatiana says.
“He would.” I nod and climb out of bed to stand on shaky legs. A loud thud is heard, and we look up at the roof.
“Those birds have been trying to get in ever since we brought you inside.” Tatiana shakes her head. “They seem to be immune to spells as well.”
“What did you do?” I ask.
“I tried a catching spell, which obviously didn’t work because those things are still annoying.”
“I want to go out and see them.” Tanya helps me to the door and then leads me outside. John is out the front, talking to Francis when we reach the yard.
The birds start chirping louder, and we look at them as they fly in circles above my head.
“Hopefully, now those things will be quiet.”
“Your belly.” Francis gasps and points at my stomach.
Shit, I forgot to put my shirt back on, and all I am wearing is a crop top. I try to cover my belly with my hands, but it does no good. John pulls off his shirt and hands it to me. I smile gratefully as I accept and slide it on. “You are with child. It’s a miracle,” Francis says, head tilted to the sky and smiling.
The birds chirp louder and louder. I reach a hand up, and they start to circle around it, faster and faster, until I can’t keep sight of them. I feel something happening, though, something changing or shifting. And when I open my eyes, I watch as the black swirls that were on my arm slide up to my fingertips and off my skin. A bird opens its mouth and sucks the swirls in as if they’re food before they all fly off, straight through the barrier and out of sight.
“Did that just happen?” Tanya asks. “I mean, my eyes do play tricks on me and all.”
“Oh, that happened,” Tatiana adds. “Maybe that’s why they were so crazy. They wanted to help.” I smile at the thought. “How do you feel?” she asks me.
“Good. I mean… I still feel like me, which is good, right?”
“Yes, absolutely.” She grabs my hand and leads me back toward the house. “I’ll get you some food, and we can discuss names for the baby.”
I stop at the entrance to find Grim pacing back and forth in front of my door. He pauses mid-step when he catches sight of me, his gaze exploring me from head to toe. “You’re awake.”
“I am.”
He walks straight over and wraps his arms around me, embracing me tightly, before he takes us away. I feel the world shift, and when I open my eyes, we are standing on our beach, our little piece of paradise.
“You are wearing another man’s shirt,” he grumbles and pulls back.
I look down at John’s shirt before I glance at him. “Does it bother you?”
“It does. I was a good man… I let you go, but I can’t do it twice.” He steps up to me and touches my belly. “Not now. Not again.”
“I’m not sure where we are, Grim. And you can’t expect anything from me. I loved Max. You know that, right? That love doesn’t simply go away.” As my love for him, but I don’t let that slip. He knows that, Grim will, and always will be a love for me. It pains and delights me all in one.
Grim nods his head in understanding. “I know. Just know I will happily wait a million lifetimes for you.” He leans down and kisses my cheek before he takes me back. When we reappear, my sisters are waiting for me with food.
He doesn’t stay, but that night he returns and every other night following. We hardly speak—he is just there, supporting me. Checking on me. During the day, he leaves to do what must be done.
I am unsure if he stays all night, every night, but one night I woke in pain and saw him sitting there, reading my mother’s diary.
I haven’t kissed him.
Barely touched him.
But he never pushes.
