20. An Heir
An Heir
Luka hovered nearby, biting his thumbnail as their physician examined Matilda, who could barely keep her eyes open.
Her lids were sluggish—rising and falling intermittently until she finally passed out.
Luka had yet to tell her about the pregnancy.
For one, he could hardly believe the news himself, and two, her illness had taken a turn for the worse.
“Dr. Blackwood, if she is, in fact, pregnant with my heir, then how can she fall ill? She has vampire blood running through her.”
“At the end of the day, she is still a human. The baby is certainly doing their part. She would undoubtedly be sicker than this if it weren’t for the baby. Keep in mind that the child is also a hybrid.”
“When shall she recover?”
“It is difficult to say. The fever is doing a number on her. We need to get her body temperature down.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Be patient. I’ll have a few servants fetch pails of water from the river and fill the tub.”
Ezra entered the bedchamber and whispered in his ear.
“Very well. Spread the news through town that I have a special announcement to make at the town center, and I want all of Night Falls in attendance. Please stay with Matilda. I shall return shortly.”
Ezra sighed and peered down at Matilda’s limp form. “You, my dear, are quite a hassle.
***
Luka sat at his desk and obsessively reviewed the amendment document.
He didn’t want to leave a single stone unturned.
His advisory board questioned him at great lengths, demanding to know his thought process behind his decision to allow vampires and humans to mate.
He gave them some bullshit excuse about bolstering relations between the vampires and humans, leading to peace between the races while also increasing their population.
He convinced them that the purpose was to breed out the humans.
His advisors were not only agreeable with the amendment but signed the document excitedly, confirming his suspicions that a handful of his advisors already had the perfect human in mind to become their beloved mate.
There’d be no judgment from him. He impregnated his sworn enemy, and he’d do it again, and again, and again if she allowed him.
Done hesitating, Luka retrieved a quill pen from the inkwell and scrawled his name at the bottom of the document.
“It’s official,” he murmured, stamping the parchment with his official seal.
“King Alesi, is this a good time?” Dr. Blackwood asked, poking his head through the door.
“Is Matilda—”
“She’s fine. Quite vocal, if I might add. She had some choice words regarding the temperature of her bathwater. I was called some colorful names I’d wished not to repeat.”
“That sounds about right. Please, have a seat.”
“I rather stand. I won’t be long. Would you be opposed to Matilda having a personal nurse?”
Luka narrowed his eyes. “Is there somewhere you rather be than looking after your king’s pregnant beloved?” he growled.
“O-of course not. It’s a great honor to serve you in that capacity; however, she is as stable as possible. The illness needs time to run its course. Matilda should be well within three days. I… I have a special interest in another matter.”
Luka leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the desk.
He was more than irritated. Dr. Blackwood was the best physician in all the lands.
Some regarded him as a genius, while others thought his methods leaned towards unethical means.
Regardless, Luka had no intention of allowing some inexperienced nurse to be placed at Matilda’s bedside as a consolation.
“What is this matter that is more vital than Matilda’s care?”
“Beta David is awake, and I have some new tools that would be beneficial for extracting the truth from him regarding the attempts on your life.”
Luka raised a brow. “You want to torture him?”
“Precisely,” Dr. Blackwood replied nervously, his hands clasped behind his back.
Luka would consider that a special interest, indeed.
“Very well. I approve of the nurse. Go and do what you do best, Dr. Blackwood.”
“Thank you, King Alesi,” he responded with a short bow before rushing out of the office.
Luka took his time returning to his quarters.
His hasty steps slowed to a snail’s pace as he considered how he would break the news to Matilda.
On the one hand, he could barely contain his excitement; on the other, he was nervous and anxious beyond belief.
How would Matilda react to the news? What if the illness caused her to miscarry?
He made up his mind halfway to his room.
He’d wait until Matilda was at full health before informing her about the child.
***
Matilda sighed in relief when she was finally dried, dressed, and lying in bed. According to Nurse Ingrid, her fever had gone down some; she was at least out of the danger zone.
“How does this feel, Queen Matilda?” Ingrid asked, laying a cool, damp towel across her forehead.
“Please… call me Matilda.”
“I cannot do that, my lady. King Alesi gave all the staff strict orders to refer to you as Queen Matilda.”
“That man… he’s sooooooo—”
“Caring?”
“No.”
“Considerate?”
“Never.”
“Kind?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Attractive?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Never mind. I have a question.”
“I may have an answer.”
“How do you feel about all of this?”
“How do I feel about what?”
“You know…about King Alesi taking a human for a queen?”
The nurse appeared hesitant. “I cannot answer your question.”
“Why not?”
“I do not wish to speak out of turn.”
“Your queen demands it.”
“As you wish, Queen Matilda. I disapprove of your pairing, and many others will agree. Vampires are a superior race to humans, and you becoming our queen would make us equals. And now that you’re with child, King Alesi will allow vampires and humans to mate.
Within the next few centuries, purebred vampires could be wiped out com—”
“I’m sorry. I’m with what?”
Ingrid blanched. “I-I misspoke. I apologize, my lady,” she whispered.
“No, please repeat what you said. Did you say I’m with child?” Matilda asked in disbelief.
She gave Matilda a reluctant nod. Matilda fell back against the headboard and stared at the ceiling. “Please… I would like some time to myself,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry to upset you, Queen Matilda.”
“I’m not upset. I need time to process, is all.”
“Would you like some tea?”
“Yes. Hold the poison, please.”
Ingrid gasped. “I would never.”
“Of course not. Please leave.”
“I will return shortly.”
“Don’t rush on my account.”
The door shut behind Ingrid, and Matilda’s tears fell.
Her free hand, that wasn’t in a sling, roamed to her belly.
She palpated her stomach. It was still early, but soon enough, it would soften and balloon to accommodate a child.
She was filled with mixed emotions: uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and dread.
But she knew better than to feel joy and excitement.
“I’m pregnant… again.”