Chapter 29 #2
“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” I throw back the sheets and try to swing my legs off the bed, but my body screams in protest, and I can’t stop the groan from slipping out.
“Lila, stop,” Cas demands, pulling the blankets back up. “You can’t get up yet, and we don’t want you coming across another Celestian and changing again.”
I pout. “Is that going to happen every time I come across someone new? Because that could get old really quick.”
Link shakes his head. “No, once the babies are born, everything should stabilize, and you should only change if you will it by picturing it in your mind like Corethea said.”
“Fine, but you should all go without me. Don’t wait.”
William stands up and grabs hold of the foot that Link had been grasping. He smiles and gives it a squeeze.
“No, my beautiful granddaughter. The Celestians have him in a stable stasis, and the spring equinox on Rilu is not for another two months, so we are all going to return to Skarr, and you will have your babies, and then and only then will we go to Rilu and find the cure for John.”
I look between the three remaining men, seeing the seriousness on their faces, and I know I’m outvoted.
Nerves rise up, and my stomach rolls as I nod. “Okay, well, I guess that sounds like a solid plan.”
The three men chuckle, and I roll my eyes at them.
I’m not sure what they want me to say. Once again, the decision has been taken out of my hands, and while I can’t wait to meet my children, I feel like fate has fucked me up the ass with a cactus.
But hey, I guess what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
It’s with mixed feelings that I start to get out of bed once more, but again, they stop me. “No, Lila, we will stay here tonight. The Celestian royal family wishes to honor us with a dinner.”
“Cool,” I say, but Link shakes his head.
“Unfortunately, you will need to stay here. We can’t risk you changing.”
Okay, that’s it. My already bummed mood just hit rock bottom, and I feel my lip drop in a pout.
“But Caspian and I will stay here and keep you company,” he finishes, and I perk up a bit.
“Yes, we can talk about what needs to happen now to bring the babies out of stasis.” My head swings to my kraken mate, and when I see the heat in his eyes, I know that is going to be a discussion I don’t want to miss. I seem to remember sex will trigger it or something.
“Okay, well, enjoy your dinner then, Will. Oh, and say bye to Susie and Mark for me. Tell her I’ll call her as soon as we get to Skarr. I want to hear all about their reunion.”
“And she wants to hear about the fight. She was beside herself when she found out you had been attacked. She sat by your bed the whole time. We figured it was safe enough because she hasn’t exhibited any of her own abilities yet.
Actually, she was a huge comfort to us all because we couldn’t be with you.
We will forever be in her debt,” Cas explains, and I grin.
Of course my bestie was there for me. We are ride or die, and I would have liked to have seen them try to keep her away.
William stands up and chuckles before coming around and nudging Caspian none too gently out of the way. He leans in and presses a kiss to my head.
“Tonight, you need to rest. When we get home, you can start the process.” He growls the last part to Cas, who quickly nods his agreement, and once again, my lip drops into a pout, but then I think of something.
“But where are we going to live?” I don’t really want to have sex in my grandpas’ house. The ship is different because there’s decent distance between us, not to mention soundproofing and Xavier’s handy barriers, but being in a small house changes everything.
“We have a big estate. One of the wings is yours, and we began renovations when we found you,” he tells me with a wry look on his face.
I’m pretty sure he knows why I’m asking, and from the look on his face, he feels the same way.
“Your wing has an amazing view of the ocean. I’m sure your krakens will be very happy. ”
With that, he gives us a wave and disappears, leaving me alone with my husband and fiancé. I snuggle down and then pat either side of me. The bed I’m in is big enough for the two of them to slide in next to me. They do, and both press a kiss to my head, but I sit up, suddenly remembering something.
“Do either of you know what Astrea said to me during the fight?”
Caspian presses me back on the bed, and he and Link exchange a loaded glance. Great, now what?
“Apparently one of your Skarrian powers is that you’re a whisperer,” Link says quietly, and Caspian bites his lip.
“Well, what the fuck is that?”
“A whisperer is someone who is able to control lightning cats. It’s so very rare because the bloodlines were hunted to extinction. You can imagine lightning cats didn’t take kindly to having someone from another race be able to control their actions. It’s kind of like compulsion in a Vilaxian.”
I think about how Natalia did exactly what I told her. “Yeah, okay.”
“That’s not it.” Cas sighs. “A whisperer is sexually compatible with all designations of lightning cats. You can take an alpha’s knot or knot an omega.”
I scrunch up my face. “How does a female knot an omega male or female?” Not that I have any interest in it, but I’m fascinated.
“I’m not sure. When I checked my database, the information was vague. Something about a lock. I’m sure if we ask Astrea, she could tell you more.”
“Why would they hunt the bloodlines to extinction? Wouldn’t that help inject new blood into the race?”
“It was a racial purity thing. They didn’t want other species infecting their bloodlines. Betas have the capability to breed with other races, but it is frowned on, and any lightning cat with a different race in their streak is often shunned.”
“Well, that’s a load of bullshit. Does that mean I have a whole race of lightning cats gunning for me now?”
Cas chuckles.
“Not now that Astrea is in charge. She and Jalin think you can do no wrong after you stepped in and took Echo’s place. Words like gallant, brave, and fierce were thrown around. I think it’s safe to say whisperers are about to have a revival in a more positive frame.”
“Well, if I’m the only one around, that’s not going to do much good,” I grumble, a wave of exhaustion rolling over me. A yawn escapes before I can stop it.
“Yes, but it might be something Skarrians have hidden in fear of being killed. Hopefully more will come out of the woodwork. Astrea said it might be what is needed so that female alphas start being born again,” Link explains.
“Rest now, Lila. There is plenty of time to talk about that and the pregnancy process. Tomorrow, we will be on our way to your home. I can’t wait to see it, and I can’t wait to meet our babies.
It won’t be long now.” Cas leans forward and presses a kiss to my belly as my eyes drift closed, feeling safe and secure snuggled in with my loves.