Chapter 45
Sebastian
The shovel bites into the earth with a crunch.
I throw the dirt aside and drive the blade down again, my shoulders burning from the repetition. We have been at this for hours. Damon works to my left, Orion to my right, all three of us stripped to the waist, and covered in sweat and grime as we dig the new irrigation channel.
The work is brutal, but I like it.
And for now, it is enough. It won’t be long before we are forced to deal with issues concerning the realm.
Orion wants to make sure that when he leaves his family, they will be safe and taken care of…at least for short periods.
It won’t be long before the Drakar is ready to see us. I itch to see Isla again.
I miss her more than I thought possible.
I stab the shovel into the ground again, and my arms shake with the effort. The trench stretches behind us, a dark scar in the valley floor that will soon carry water to the crops.
It has been almost two weeks since Isla left.
I set down the shovel and wipe my forehead with the back of my arm.
“Need a break?” Orion asks, leaning on his own shovel. His dark hair is damp, and his eyes hold a question.
“I could use some water,” Damon says, reaching for the waterskin hanging from a post. He takes a long drink and holds it out to me.
I don’t take it.
“I need to leave,” I say. “I need to go to Isla.”
The words come out rough and certain. I have been holding them back for days, telling myself to give her space, to wait, to be patient. But I’m done waiting. I’m done being patient.
Both males go still.
“When do you want to leave?” Orion asks.
“Tomorrow morning. At first light.”
Orion finishes drinking from the skin and seals it.
“Thesha and Xander should be arriving in two days. Maybe three. Surely you can wait to meet with them first?” He glances at Damon.
“Besides, we have plans to visit the shifterfae soon. Possibly as early as next week. We could all go together.” He shrugs.
I shake my head. “I can’t wait that long. I have to go alone, and I need to go sooner rather than later.”
I have a pressing need.
“Sebastian—”
“I can’t,” I practically growl. “Every day I wait is another day she thinks I’ve given up.
Another day that she convinces herself that I don’t care enough to fight for her.
” I scrub a hand over my face. “I want to go into town this afternoon and get supplies. Then I’m leaving at first light.
Can you take me?” I look at Orion. “I would greatly appreciate it. I understand if you can’t. ”
He studies me for a while. Then he nods.
“Of course I will.” He pauses. “But you should know that we haven’t officially been invited to the Shifter Court. I can only take you to the border. After that, you’re on your own.”
“I understand.”
“The shifterfae might not welcome you like you think they will,” he continues. “They could see you as an intruder. Or even worse, a threat.”
“I’ll take that chance.”
“You’re sure about this?”
“I’m sure.” I hold his gaze. “I need to see her. I need her to know that I’m not going to let her go without a fight.”
A slow smile spreads across Orion’s face. “Good.”
Damon steps forward and claps me on the shoulder with an open palm. The force of it rocks me forward, but his expression is warm and approving.
“About damn time,” he says. “About time you decided to fight for your female.” His grin widens. “So are you ready to bare your soul?”
“I am.” I nod, smiling. “I’m more than ready. And to beg if I need to.”
“That’s good.” Orion’s smile matches Damon’s. “Don’t take no for an answer. Go in there and win her back.”
“I will.” I mean it too. Every word. “But I need you to do something for me while I am gone.” I turn to Damon. “Something I had planned to do myself, but since I am leaving, I can’t. It’s a task for both of you and isn’t without risk.”
“Name it,” he says.
“I’ll help.” Orion nods.
I look at both of them. These males I once kept at arm’s length. They have become something I never expected.
“Thank you, my friends,” I say. “Both of you.”
Isla
The bundle of hides is starting to get heavy in my arms as I make my way across the settlement.
Terra is due back today from her time in the deadland villages, and my spirits are lighter than they have been in days.
I missed her and look forward to seeing her again.
Hopefully, she will have some half-breed recruits for me to train, which is exactly why I came here.
For now, I will keep working within the caves and make myself useful.
The tanning pit lies on the far side of the main cavern, near the ventilation shafts, where the smell of lye and rendered fat won’t overwhelm the living quarters.
I’ve been helping there for the past week.
The work is messy and physical, and it keeps me busy.
Before that, I was in the kitchens but grew tired of peeling vegetables, plucking fowl, and stirring pots.
I might go back there in a few days if Terra comes home without recruits.
I refuse to do nothing.
“Hi, lovely Isla,” a big male shifter says, his eyes dancing.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn’t see him.
“Hi, Bracks,” I say, smiling. He has a broad face and kind eyes.
He falls into step beside me, his gaze dropping to the bundle in my arms. “Can I carry those for you?”
“Um…” I frown. “No, thank you. I’ve got them.”
“Are you sure? They look heavy.”
“I’m good.”
I wait for him to ask me if I want to share a meal with him later, but he doesn’t.
“Have a good day,” he tells me. “Don’t work too hard.”
“Okay…thanks.” I sound a little shocked.
He nods and heads in the other direction.
I watch him go for a few seconds. That’s the first time that he hasn’t complimented me or tried to get me to go somewhere with him.
It’s a little strange, but then again, maybe he is getting the message…finally.
These shifter males are nothing if not relentless.
I keep walking, moving the weight of the hides against my hip, where it is easier to carry. Up ahead, a group of females are clustered near one of the cooking fires. They glance my way as I approach, and something odd happens.
They whisper to one another and then giggle. I can’t help but feel like they are laughing because of me. It isn’t mean or mocking, just something secretive in the way they exchange looks as I pass.
I frown and keep moving.
I’m sure I’m reading it all wrong. Everyone has been nothing but kind and accepting since I got here two weeks ago.
I look up and spot Helix up ahead.
My stomach sinks.
Nooooo!
He’s a dragon shifter, and huge, even in his fae form, with shoulders like boulders and a smirk he likes to aim at me. He tries to get me to share a meal with him every time we cross paths. The flirting is relentless and can be a little crass.
I consider turning around, taking the long way to the tanning pits. But I’m already running late, and I don’t have time for detours, so I keep walking.
Helix sees me coming. His face brightens with that familiar smirk. As I draw closer, confusion flickers across his features. His nostrils flare slightly.
“Hi, Isla.” He falls into step beside me. “Are you feeling alright?”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“You look…” He trails off, studying me with an intensity that makes me uncomfortable. “Different…somehow. Still beautiful.” His eyes drift to my breasts, but quickly lift to my face.
“I feel the same as always… Why?”
“I thought I would ask. Can I carry those for you?” He gestures to the hides. “They look heavy…too heavy.” He starts to move toward me.
“No,” I tell him. “Thank you.”
He blinks, then nods slowly. “Well, then. Take care of yourself. Drink plenty of water.”
“Um…I will.”
What in Hades?
There was no invitation to dinner. No suggestive comments. None of that.
He walks away.
I stare after him for a moment, bewildered, then shake my head and continue toward the tanning pits.
It’s turning out to be a strange day indeed.
The pit is a series of shallow stone basins cut into the rock, filled with mixtures of lime water and oak bark solution in various stages of the curing process.
The smell is sharp and acrid, cutting through everything else.
Several females work at different stations, scraping hides, checking the curing process, and wringing out leather.
I set down my bundle and get to work, kneeling beside one of the basins and pulling on the thick gloves that protect against the lye.
I haven’t been at it long when one of the older females approaches. Her name is Mira, and she has been working the tanning pits for longer than I’ve been alive.
“Do you need a rest?” she asks, her brow creased with concern.
I look up at her, confused. “I just got here.”
“I know, but…” She wrings her hands. “Perhaps you should sit down. Have some water. You’ve been working so hard lately.”
“I’m fine.” I force a smile. “Really. I appreciate the concern, but I’m not tired.”
“You should probably go back and work in the kitchens,” she tells me.
“Why? Am I not doing a good enough job?” My heart sinks.
“You are a wonderful worker.” She gives me a smile. “I just think it might be better for you.”
“I might in a few days. I will see how I feel.”
“If you are sure.”
“I am.”
She nods but doesn’t look convinced. The female retreats to her own station with one last worried glance over her shoulder.
I turn back to the hides.
What is going on?
The question nags at me as I work, scraping the flesh side of the leather. I’m getting better at this every day. I might not be as good as the others, but I do well enough…at least, I thought I was.
A commotion near the entrance pulls my attention.
I look up to see Terra striding into the cavern. She moves with purpose, her amber eyes scanning the space until they land on me.
Then she’s rushing forward, covering the distance between us in quick strides, her arms waving.
I jump up and wipe my hands off on a nearby rag. Then I walk toward her, not making it very far.
“Isla!” She pulls me into a hug before I can even get to my feet. “I’ve got someone for you to train.”
“Only one person?” I ask as she releases me.
She gives me a look. “I was only gone for five days and only went to two villages. You won’t believe it, I found three people, but only one who was willing to come with us.
” She shrugs. “One is better than none. I will go back soon and find you more. I will also keep track of those I spoke with and return to see if they have not changed their minds.”
“True enough.” I smile, genuinely happy to see her. “How was the journey?”
But Terra isn’t listening. She’s gone rigid against me, her nose twitching. She pulls back slightly and sniffs at me, her eyes widening.
“Terra?”
She sniffs at me again, and the look on her face shifts from confusion to something else. Her eyes glint, and her mouth pulls into a strange smile.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” I ask, my smile fading. “Everyone has been acting so strangely since yesterday. The males are being helpful rather than being flirtatious. I’m sure that people are talking behind my back.” I spread my hands. “What is going on, Terra?” I fold my arms. “Tell me right now.”
Terra takes my face in both her hands. Her eyes bore into mine, and when she speaks, her voice is soft and filled with something like awe.
“You have more power than you did before. I think it’s going to grow in the coming months.”
“More power?” I frown at her. “How is that possible? Are they all afraid of me? They don’t have to be.”
“No, it’s not that.” She shakes her head.
“Why do I have more power? There’s more, isn’t there?”
“You have more power because of the life growing inside your womb.” Her hand drops to my belly, resting there gently.
“I’m pregnant?” My eyes go wide.
“Yes.” Terra’s smile widens. “Congratulations. Life should always be celebrated. Do not be afraid, Isla. We are here for you. We will help you with the baby. You are not alone.”
My mouth falls open. “How?” My voice comes out high and thin. “How did this happen?”
Terra laughs softly. “Do you need me to explain that to you?”
Despite everything, a startled laugh escapes me. “No, of course not, but…” I swallow hard. “You said I didn’t smell fertile. After Sebastian and I… You said you couldn’t scent any fertility on me.”
“You aren’t a regular human, Isla. You’re hybrid.” Terra’s expression gentles. “You don’t have any shifterfae blood to speak of. I told you I could be wrong, and it turned out that I was.” She squeezes my hands. “You are pregnant.”
I put a hand to my belly.
Every emotion imaginable wars inside me all at once. Joy so fierce it steals my breath. But also fear and sorrow for what might have been. Then there’s happiness so overwhelming that tears spring to my eyes without warning.
I feel them all.
Sebastian’s baby is growing inside me.
I sink onto a nearby stone.
“What am I going to do?” I whisper.
Terra crouches before me, her hands on my knees. “That is for you to decide. But whatever you choose, you won’t be alone. The Shifter Court will stand with you.”
I barely hear her. My thoughts are racing, spinning, careening in a thousand directions at once.
I need to tell Sebastian. He is this baby’s father. He deserves to know. He may even want to be a part of our child’s life, even if we are not together.
Right now, I need to come to terms with it for myself.