Chapter Three
J ennika couldn’t rest . She sat at the table in her nightgown and rubbed her belly. “So, little dude, your dad is taller than I remember, but I remembered him on his back and manacled to a wall.”
Sable’s voice came out of the darkness. “That’s a mental image. Are you going to take him to the next visit with Dr. Theo?”
“Would you mind?”
Sable walked out, her face distinctly feline. “That might be for the best. I have been having issues holding my human form lately. If it wasn’t for the charms Vine keeps making, I think I would be out hunting squirrels.”
Sable set the shattered pendant on the table and went to the case to get another one.
Jennika sighed. “Would it help to stay at home for a few days?”
“Nope. Besides, I want to watch Emhara painting tomorrow. I need to keep to as many normal activities as possible.”
“When does that start?”
“Noon. I am glad they moved it one day. The water main break was just lucky so that we could go to the thing.”
Vine’s hoarse voice spoke from the door to the rear garden. “Yes, lucky. No wonder Ivy is passed out now.”
Vine limped to the table and picked up the broken charm. “It’s getting worse, Sable. When did it break?”
“When we were plating the cake.”
“So, around seven?”
“Yeah.”
“You managed to hold it together?”
“Sure, until the baby’s daddy showed up. Then, it was arms everywhere.”
Vine looked at the charm. “I will make something stronger.” She turned and walked slowly to the carriage house in the back.
Sable pressed her fingers to her lips. “I should stop her.”
Jennika looked at her. “Bring coffee and pastries. She isn’t in on the abstinence. She needs the coffee.”
Sable nodded and got a mug and a plate, set them on a tray, and then ran a single serving through the coffee maker. “Damn, that smells good.”
Jennika leaned back and groaned. “Go and help our enchanter. I will be here or within fifty feet of this spot.”
She waited until her friend was out of the kitchen and then pushed to her feet. The fire needed tending. Her feet were silent on the grass until she arrived at her spot. She called the fire and swirled it around her. Xiroth’s kiss had gotten her all worked up.
* * * *
X iroth was restless , and he flew through the night, pausing when he saw the flash of fire on the ground. He flew in low and watched from the shadows as Jennika moved in martial art patterns with fire in her hands.
* * * *
J ennika was nearly finished when she felt something tingling and familiar. She completed her meditation and looked to the shadows. “Xiroth, what the hell are you doing here?”
He walked out of the shadows with his array of wings visible. “I was restless and needed flight. I came down to see if anything was on fire.”
She sighed and rubbed at her back. “I had extra fire and had to get rid of it before I could sleep.”
Vine’s hoarse voice said, “Oh, this is the pixie. Sable mentioned him.” Vine walked up to her and handed her a wristband. “Here. It will help you sleep. You can hear the baby’s heartbeat if you touch the blue stone.”
Jennika hugged her. “Thank you, Vine.”
Vine nodded and walked into the house.
Xiroth looked at her. “What is she?”
“The enchanter. She’s making protection and concealment charms for any of us who cross her path. She’s also my cousin.” She smiled.
“Her voice?”
“Her story to tell. Not for the faint of heart.” She smiled sadly, “But she made it, and she’s here.”
“She also bleeds power?”
“Sort of. She puts it in objects that keep us safe, makes our homes safe, and helps us control what rises and roars.”
Xiroth frowned. “What caused you to emit fire tonight?”
Jennika looked at his concerned expression. “Take a wild guess.”
He paused, blinked, and smiled. “Ah. I could help you with that.”
“Um, not necessary.”
He laughed. “I was up doing research on pregnant women. Now, I am definitely way too alert.”
Jennika blushed. “Ah. Do you want to come in for tea?”
“For you, I would drink poison.”
“So we will skip that then.” She reached out and took his hand, bringing him into the house. “Ivy is out for the night. Sable is probably in a corner shaped like a mouse or a bat.”
“Fair enough. Is she stressing?”
“A little. Vine makes her charms that help. They break when the power runs out.”
He was surprised. “That is an advanced skill.”
“She does about a dozen of them per day. Different strengths.”
He looked shocked. “Is that what is causing her the strain?”
“No,” Vine spoke from the kitchen. “I was kidnapped at thirteen, my legs were broken, and I was held for a ransom that no one paid. I got free on my own, but now I limp, and my voice is shit.”
Xiroth growled.
Jennika looked at him and understood. She looked at Vine and was surprised that her expression was amused.
“Yeah, that is the standard alpha reaction. I am just too fucking cute to say that kind of shit casually.” Vine chuckled.
Jennika tried to look at her with new eyes, and she blinked. It was like every bit of cuteness that could be packed into a human was in Vine’s body. She was fucking adorable.
“Vine... are you an—”
“Don’t say it.” Vine held up a hand. “If I was supposed to be, I am not one now. And this wristband keeps me looking like a Victorian monster.” She slipped the cuff back on.
It was far larger than anything Jennika had seen her enchant before, and as the metal settled on her skin, it disappeared, and Vine’s gnarled appearance returned.
Xiroth stared and said softly, “Are you amenable to a mate?”
Vine looked at him and laughed. “That word has never been used to describe me.”
Xiroth cocked his head. “I return to my question. If there was a mate that you did not object to, would you agree to consider it?”
Vine gave him a direct look. “I consider anything. If they have a painkiller effect, it is even better.”
Jennika looked at him, and his eyes widened at that. He nodded slowly. “That is someone I know. Not a pixie, but he is monster class. Is that acceptable?”
Vine shrugged. “Won’t know until I know, but monsters don’t scare me.”
Xiroth nodded. “I see. I don’t know where he is, but he may be near since the king has returned. I will try to call him now.”
He took his phone and walked outside.
Jennika looked at him and blinked. “Huh. I guess he has been around a while.”
Vine cocked her head. “It is interesting that he thinks I am a match for a monster. I mean, I am a monster, but it is fascinating that he could figure it out at a glance.”
Jennika laughed and walked over to hug her roomie. “The belly is jumping. Cop a feel.”
Vine laughed hoarsely and gently put her hand on Jenn’s belly.
The delicate and careful touch made Jennika blink away tears.
Vine was ever so careful with the baby, and it wasn’t even here yet.
Ivy grabbed her stomach and whispered plans for trips to the zoo and boy-watching, but Vine just touched her and smiled with a slow, sad smile. “You are getting close.”
“I am.”
“He’s going to come a little early.” She tilted her head. “He will be here in two and a half weeks. Tell your workplace. They will need to know.”
“Well, shit.” Jenn looked down at her belly accusingly. “Your dad had a lot of patience, and you are in a hurry?”
“He is about to start growing very rapidly. I will help where I can.”
Xiroth came in and frowned. “Who needs help?”
“The baby comes in eighteen days. He’s going to gain nearly two pounds and several inches in that time. Jenn is not going to be happy, and she works with knives, so if you are going to court her, do it quickly. I am still up for crazy aunty daycare.”
Jenn grinned. “Excellent. You will bring the little guy around to visit when I am working?”
“Of course.”
Xiroth scowled. “I can take care of it.”
Vine asked, “Do you work from home?”
“No. Ah, I see.”
“Correct. This little guy is going to learn enchantment as soon as he stops napping all day.”
Xiroth smiled. “Then, thank you for being willing to keep him safe.”
Vine nodded. “Of course. Well, I am heading to bed.”
“You are going to your workshop.”
“Wow. No pregnancy brain on you.” Vine moved slowly into the yard and toward the distant carriage house.
Xiroth took her hand and guided her into the living room, helping her settle onto a comfy couch.
He sat next to her on the couch.
“So, did you find the guy you were looking for?”
“Yes. He’s in town, but he’s occupied for a few days.”
“Code for, he has a lady friend.”
“Less lady, more paid for by the hour.”
“Ah. Well, even monsters have needs, I guess.”
He chuckled.
“Does he think she’s just a damaged mage?”
“I didn’t mention the damage.”
“Ah. Maybe you should because she is also monster class, and she can’t just rent an outlet. She shorts out all the toys she has gotten.”
His eyes went wide. “Oh, shit.”
“Open your conversation, and gimme your phone.”
He handed it over, and she typed rapidly and got her point across. When she read, “Who is this?”
“The person currently in possession of Xiroth’s baby. Possession is nine-tenths of the law, right?”
There was a set of dancing dots over and over and then the summation. “Holy shit.”
She handed the phone back to Xiroth, who caught up with the conversation. “Ah, yeah, I was distracted when I spoke to him. Must have missed the baby.”
She looked down at the bump. “How do you miss this? I have had to buy this dude special pants.”
He grinned. “I was lost in your eyes.”
“Wow. That’s good.”
Xiroth sighed. “So you know what I want.”
She drummed her fingers on her belly. “You got what you needed, so what else are you after?”
He carefully reached out to touch the bump, and the baby got all excited. Xiroth grinned.
“I only have eighteen days left with him on the inside. Vine is never wrong when she makes a statement like that. It is going to be a hectic two weeks.” She sighed.
“May I offer my home as a secondary refuge? I will ask Emhara to paint the baby’s room.”
She smiled. “That would be nice. If Vine needs to, can she babysit him there? It can be a bit busy around here.”