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But he couldn’t come, not yet. Not without her. He traced a hand around her thigh and brushed a knuckle against her clit. Inez jerked at the touch. Water splashed from the tub.
“I’m going…” Inez panted. “I think I’m going…”
Inez screamed out his name as her body clenched around his. Milking his cock. Rylec exploded in a rush of heat. Gods, he loved her. Loved her more than anything in this universe. His hips thrust up wildly, staking their claim. Inez was his. Soriya was his. The child they made right now was his.
He wouldn’t let Calanthe have any of them.
Chapter 12
Inez eyed Doctor Camden as he waved the scanner down her body. The guards had escorted Rylec away once their hour was up, leaving her alone with Calanthe and the doctor. Inez shuffled uncomfortably in her seat at the end of the bed. The doctor probably didn’t have magic. Anyone with powerful abilities became a lord, and those with weaker gifts worked in security. If anything, he might be able to heal.
Still, Inez waited. The Sollirians didn’t cuff her because they didn’t think she could use Rylec’s magic. Her training was short, but it would be enough if she got Calanthe alone. The empress wouldneverhave her again.
Doctor Camden stopped his waving and tapped on the thin tablet before him.
Calanthe stopped her pacing. “So?”
“The nanites were successful. The star-maid is pregnant.”
Inez touched her belly as Calanthesquee-ed. A rush of emotions rose within her, shock and surprise and anger and delight. They passed through her so fast she could barely process them. She and Rylec were having another baby. When Soriyahad quickened within her, Inez had loved every minute of it. This time, if she couldn’t subdue the empress, her pregnancy would be a prison.
Inez couldn’t fail.
A sharp ringing ripped through her concentration. Calanthe rang her little bell with the enthusiasm of a young child. When a servant ran in, she snapped, “Bring Soriya.”
Damn. Inez couldn’t make a move in front of Soriya. Her daughter didn’t know her. If Inez killed Calanthe, Soriya would never see her as a mother.
Calanthe swirled back around, her dress a twirl of soft fabric. “Aren’t you excited, Inez?”
Inez forced a smile. “I am.”
The empress’s smirk bared tiny fangs. “Don’t lie to me, little dove.”
Inez met those kaleidoscope eyes dead-on. “I’m not.”
The door clicked open, summoning Calanthe’s attention. Thank the Gods. Inez had become an excellent liar in the past three years, but the empress had a way of getting people to tell her the truth.
Namely, causing them extreme amounts of pain.
The nursemaid led Soriya in.
Inez’s heart leapt at the sight of her daughter, but she stayed seated. Even after they got rid of Calanthe, it would take time for her daughter to get comfortable with her and Rylec. Inez would give her all the space she needed.
Calanthe crouched before the small child. “I have good news, baby dove. You’re going to have a sibling soon.”
“Mama is having a baby?” Soriya reached out, wrapping her arms around Calanthe’s neck. Inez stiffened. If Calanthe wanted, she could cause her daughter unimaginable pain. When the empress walked toward her with Soriya in her grip, the look in her eyes was almost gleeful.
“Yes, Mama is having a baby. With Auntie Inez’s help. She will carry your brother or sister like she carried you.”
Soriya glanced down at Inez. Was this the first time her daughter had looked at her? Truly looked at her? Perhaps. Inez sat straight and stiff. She wouldnotreact. Calanthe wouldn’t get that pleasure.
Calanthe crouched and reached out, placing a hand on Inez’s stomach. Nausea swirled in her gut. “Want to touch, Soriya? Your new sibling is right here.”
“Wow.” A tiny hand settled over Inez’s belly. The softness of her touch chased away the fear from Calanthe’s. Inez wanted to caress a hand down her daughter’s face, ruffle the loose, dark curls they both shared. But Calanthe needed to think Inez had resigned herself to obedience if she had a chance of being alone with the empress.
Inez memorized every inch of her daughter’s face, but the hair on her neck prickled. A predator watched them both, waiting to pounce.
After an eternal moment, Calanthe stood and handed Soriya back to the nursemaid. “Mama and Auntie Inez need to have a chat now, baby dove.”
