5. Fiona
Fiona
TWO YEARS LATER—
Isit in the garden of Penridge Manor, watching my three sons playing in the garden.
It’s a bright summer day, and my husband, the viscount, sits next to me, his hand possessively splayed over my bulging belly.
I’m six months pregnant with our fourth child, and the manor is full of joy and glee once again.
The sun warms my face, and I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the heat on my skin, the gentle breeze that carries the scent of roses from Mr. Reeves’ garden.
Severin’s hand moves in slow, possessive circles over my swollen belly, his long fingers spanning the curve of me, and I lean into his touch like a cat seeking warmth.
I love it when he touches me possessively, knowing that I am with the man I love.
“You are so beautiful like this,” he murmurs against my cheek, his lips brushing my skin.
His breath is cool, but his scales are warm today, heated by the sun and the blood that runs hot through his serpentine form.
“Round and full and carrying my child. Every time I see you like this, I want to take you to bed and worship every inch of you. Just a few hours at night aren’t enough. ”
I smile, my eyes still closed. “You say that every day.”
“Because it is true every day.” His hand slides lower, cupping the underside of my belly where the weight of our baby pulls heaviest. His thumb traces a slow arc, and I feel the baby shift in response, a flutter of movement that makes my breath catch.
“You have brought so much joy and light to Penridge Manor, Fiona. And you have changed my life.” He lowers his head, kissing my covered belly, and whispers, “I love you, my dear wife.”
My heart fills with butterflies, just like it does every time I see him.
Two years, and I’m even more attracted to him than before.
Severin is magnificent in the sunlight, his obsidian hair falling loose around those sharp cheekbones, his golden slit eyes warm and liquid as they gaze at me.
His bare chest is broad and pale, covered in a coat and cravat, his serpentine tail coiling around my body, wrapping around my belly bump possessively.
I love his monster nature, love how protective and wild he is.
“I love you too.” I whisper, reaching out to touch his face.
He moves closer, and our lips meet as our sons play in the garden, slithering around on their little serpent tails.
The taste of my husband’s lips awakens my desire, and he holds me securely, wrapping his hand around my belly, his tail slipping under my dar dress and caressing my stockings.
“The dirty things I want to do to you,” he whispers against my lips. “Later, I’ll have you naked, and worship every inch of your maternal form.”
“Hmmm…I love it when you do that,” I admit, our lips meeting again. “We need to stop kissing or Mrs. Holloway will chastise us for being indecent before the kids.”
“Indecent? We’re just expressing our love, my dear. Our children should know that their parents dearly love each other.”
“Mommy.” Darian, our son, tugs at my dress, oblivious to his father’s kisses. “Up.”
I break away, smiling at my son. He has my green eyes and his father’s pale coloring. His hair is a mix of dark brown and auburn, and he likes being carried.
“Come here,” Severin lifts up our son and bounces him in the air, making him let out a loud laugh.
He doesn’t let me carry anything heavy, and that includes my rapidly growing triplets.
Darian’s brothers Henry and Kian play with Mr. Reeves, trying to ruin his flower bed before it has even bloomed.
Severin deposits Darian on my lap, and he rests against my growing baby bump, laying his head on my belly and trying to hear the baby.
“Will we have a new baby brother or sister?” he asks, trying to talk to the baby.
“We don’t know it,” I tell him. “You will know in a few months when the baby comes along.”
“Are you excited to be a big brother?” Severin asks. “You will have a younger sibling to protect.”
“Yes. It’d be nice to have a sister.” I smile. Though the three triplets are close, having a girl would be nice too.
“Will you forget me when the baby comes, mommy?”
“Of course not. You will always be my precious first son,” I say, hugging Darian and kissing his head. “We love you all equally.”
“That’s right,” Severin says to Darian. “Your mother might be busy taking care of a new child. Babies are a lot of work. But she loves you and your brothers so much.” Severin’s tale wraps around us, and he holds Darian too, our happy family growing every day.
“You know, when I was your age, I had no siblings. I wished I had lots of brothers and sisters to play with. Thanks to your mother, we can now make that dream come true.”
I gaze up at my husband and smile, kissing him gently. “Oh, if your father has his way, we’re going to have a really, really big family.”
My husband smirks, whispering in my ear, “I can’t help it. You are so tempting, little one. I want to keep breeding you.”
Holding my son as he watches his brothers, I say to my husband, “It seems I’ve tamed the Viper Viscount and made him a devoted husband.”
“That, you have, my dear. And I am so grateful for that.”
“I think we should have lots of children too,” I agree as Mrs. Holloway appears to invite the children for dinner. “There’s no joy greater than having your own family, a family that you love and cherish.”
Severin helps me get up as Darian bounces off my lap, attracted by the cookie Mrs. Holloway is holding out.
As I walk back to the manor hand-in-hand with my husband, I know this is what a real home feels like—a place where I can be loved for being myself.
And thanks to my handsome viper lord, I’ve found both a home and a love that’s built to last.