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I balked at the idea. “What?”
She withdrew and laid her hands protectively over her womb, staring down at her not-yet swollen stomach, biting nervously on her lower lip. “There are those who still want me gone, Cade. If they find out that I’m going to have your baby—”
Dread shot through me at the thought, but I refused to let it encompass me. I grabbed for my mate, pulling her into my embrace firmly.
“No one is going to harm you or our child,” I growled firmly. “And I won’t hide your pregnancy out of fear. We are the Alpha King and Queen of Ironhelm, Zephy. The impending birth of our child should be welcomed and celebrated, not hidden.”
As always, her body melted against mine, my arms washing away her doubts, but her breaths were uneasy. “But—”
“There are no buts,” I insisted sharply. “We’ve dealt with the gossiping, unruly staff.”
She stiffened in my arms, and I pulled back to look at her warily.
“Haven’t we?” I pressed.
She nodded, but looked away.
“Zephy, you would tell me if there are still servants who are disrespecting or disobeying you, wouldn’t you?”
“I told you that I would handle the household,” she grumbled. “I have it under control.”
“Good. Then we have no reason not to announce this incredible news. We have an heir to the throne due in just months. We’ll release the message together.” My face brightened. “In fact, we’ll have a ball! We haven’t had one in a while. A gala to celebrate!”
“Oh, Cade, I don’t know…” Zephy murmured.
I peered down at her face, brushing away a loose strand of hair to clear her dark eyes entirely.
“What are you worried about?” I asked softly. “Let’s show the kingdom that we are united and not concerned by their silly chatter. Ironhelm will always prevail.”
“If you think that’s best,” Zephy agreed, without sounding convinced.
“I think it will be good for everyone. A party is exactly what we need,” I told her, placing a peck on her cheek. “And we will have the best healers at your side for the whole pregnancy.”
Offering her another kiss, I released her and strode toward the door to call on Ryland and Grisella again.
“Send for Aradia,” I called into the hallway. “And gather the staff. We’re having a gala this weekend. Invite delegates from every neighboring kingdom and region. We have wonderful news to spread!”
Grisella stared at me, her stony expression turning more sour than usual.
“What news might that be, Alpha?” she asked coldly, her gaze turning to Zephy.
I glanced at my mate, who shook her head, and I smiled enigmatically.
“You’ll just have to wait and hear it with everyone else,” I informed her brightly. “In the meantime, we all have some planning to do. Let’s get to it, shall we?”
I ushered them out, reminding Grisella to find Aradia, and turned back to Zephyrine, but to my surprise, she had slipped out in the commotion.
She must have been overwhelmed by the news of the pregnancy, too, but when it all wore off, she’d see how good this was for everyone. Things would finally start being normal around here again.
* * *
By the eveningof the gala, Zephy seemed to have let go of some of her apprehensions regarding announcing the arrival of our child. She had gotten into the planning of the party, although she did permit Aradia to handle most of the arrangements, forbidding Grisella from overseeing any of it, much to my surprise.
“Grisella always does these kinds of things,” I told her slowly, sensing that this was a sore spot for my wife.
“Not anymore,” Zephy said firmly. “I think it’s time that Grisella takes on less responsibility around the palace. I think the job is getting a bit too much for her to handle.”
I wisely bit my tongue on the matter. The underlying tension between my bride and the long-time house servant was no longer my priority, but I admitted that I did like this assertion that Zephy was showing, putting her foot down.
