Fiona shattered beneath him, waves of release washing over her trembling form, but the pleasure faded quickly. Grief crashed back in, and tears began streaming down her face once more.
Reginald pressed gentle kisses to her wet cheeks. "Stop crying. We’ll handle this together, alright?" He withdrew from her slowly, feeling her wince, then pulled her tight against his chest.
His hands moved in soothing circles across her back, lips brushing her forehead repeatedly. Every tender gesture worked to calm her storm, and gradually, she settled.
Sweat glistened on both their bodies. In the quiet aftermath, Fiona felt that familiar connection with her mate returning, however fragile.
"The king has handed the hunt over to his royal gamma," Reginald began softly. "It’s only a matter of ti before they track us down here. We have to move fast, but we need Allen first. I know I’ve demanded too much from you already. You’ve given up more than anyone should have to, but we can’t stop now."
Fiona grasped the harsh reality. What tore at her was the guilt—the firstborn growing inside her wasn’t Reginald’s child.
And this war wasn’t his burden to bear.
This vengeance wasn’t his fight. He could have walked away completely, but he chose to stay.
"I understand," Fiona whispered. "What will you tell people when they ask about my pregnancy?" She lifted her head, eting his gaze through her tears.
"I can’t let them discover Allen fathered this baby. I won’t survive that sha."
"I won’t allow that to happen." Reginald’s fingers traced through her hair gently. "I’ll claim the child as mine. My mother already believes it’s mine, and she’s probably spread that story to everyone."
Fiona pressed her lips together, then voiced her deepest concern: "What happens after I give birth? I don’t want to keep this baby."
If Allen desired the child, perfect. But if he rejected it—aning their entire sche was dood from the start—then Fiona would abandon the infant. She didn’t care if the world branded her heartless.
She wanted no part of this baby, and that was final.
"Allen will definitely want it. You don’t need to stress about that." Reginald felt certain of this. Allen had three daughters but no son. Having a male heir ant everything to him, and he resented his mate for failing to provide one. "Once the baby arrives, we’ll announce it died during birth, then secretly deliver it to Allen."
Fiona mulled over the plan and decided it was their best option. Relief began to ease her tension.
That’s when she initiated another round. Fiona raised her head and began trailing kisses along Reginald’s neck. He wasn’t particularly in the mood, but seeing Fiona’s spirits lift, he couldn’t bear to crush her feelings and worsen everything.
Fiona’s hand found his mber, stroking and teasing until it hardened, but Reginald craved sothing different.
"Use your mouth," he commanded when Fiona moved to straddle him.
In her improved state, Fiona eagerly obeyed Reginald’s demand. She didn’t mind being the one to pleasure him. She had so much to make up for.
Fiona slid down and began licking his length while Reginald pushed her head lower. He tangled his fingers in her hair, but when he closed his eyes, Fiona’s face vanished. Soone else filled his vision.
A particular woman with rich brown curls and a radiant smile. He ached for her. Too much ti had passed since he’d last seen her, and the longing consud him.
"Phoebe," he breathed so quietly that Fiona couldn’t catch the na. His arousal peaked as Fiona worked him to completion.
——
Phoebe’s POV
I missed breakfast entirely, and lunch would have suffered the sa fate if Perry hadn’t roused from sleep. Exhaustion weighed down every limb after the thorough way he’d claid . My entire body felt like liquid.
Not that I minded in the least.
"You need to eat sothing," Perry murmured tenderly, peppering kisses across my cheeks.
I groaned in protest but rolled over, inadvertently exposing my full breasts. The sight made Perry groan in response.
"Don’t tease , my love. Your empty stomach won’t be able to handle my hunger."
I pursed my lips—I hadn’t intended to entice him at all. I lacked the energy for another round. Grabbing the blanket, I covered my naked form.
While I ate my delayed lunch, Perry inford he would personally lead the assault on Valerium Kingdom.
"This will be finished soon," he stated matter-of-factly. "I should have taken action earlier."
The only thing that had held Perry back was the elders’ insistence that he remain behind for his safety as king.
However, the news didn’t please at all.
"Take with you," I said.
"Where? Into battle?" Perry kissed my lips firmly. "Absolutely not."
There was no chance Perry would drag to a battlefield and risk my life.
——
"I heard the news—you’re expecting. Congratulations," Allen said, his voice dripping with contempt. He smirked at Fiona, his gaze lingering deliberately on her belly.
Fiona perched on the edge of Reginald’s makeshift bed. They sat shoulder to shoulder while Allen lood before them.
"You know perfectly well this isn’t mine. The baby belongs to you."
Allen’s eyes widened in shock, but he recovered his composure swiftly. "How could I possibly verify that? There’s no way for to know with certainty, is there?"
"I can verify it. I haven’t laid a finger on her since you had her."
Allen’s eyes sparked with interest, but their discussion was interrupted by soone screaming from outside.
"The royal warriors!"
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