Two months had passed since Jael had first revealed that Mauve was pregnant. Mauve wasn't sure if her pregnancy made things easier or harder between them. At first, Jael let her do what she wanted and didn't complain too much, but as ti went on, he had beco fiercely protective, often to the point of suffocation. However, she couldn't deny the tenderness in his actions. Even now, as they walked together in the dimly lit corridors of the castle, she could feel the weight of his gaze on her.
The lords' eting two months ago had been a turning point, but not an end. The lords had begrudgingly quieted down after Lord Garth's intervention and Mauve's impassioned speech, but their skepticism lingered. The lords remaining in the castle watched her closely, and she could tell they all sensed she was with child. She wondered how long it would take before word reached the rest of the lords. Mauve didn't think it would take long.
She paused in the walkway, placing a hand on the wall for balance. The child growing within her was a constant reminder of how much her life had changed—and how much was still at stake.
"Are you all right?" Jael's voice was low, laced with concern.
"I'm fine," Mauve said, though the wave of nausea told her otherwise. She straightened up and smoothed her dress. "You don't need to hover, Jael."
His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Instead, he reached for her hand, and after a mont's hesitation, she allowed it.
The silence between them was both comforting and heavy. Mauve had spent the last two months rebuilding her sense of control, piecing together the fragnts of her confidence after everything that had happened. But there were still cracks in her armor, and she could feel Jael's eyes searching for them, wanting to shield her from everything—even her own vulnerabilities.
There was also the matter with Danag. Mauve had tried to be as involved as she was supposed to, but apparently, making a child wasn't a walk in the park, and the more the days passed, the more awful it beca. Her nausea was much worse, and she found herself dozing off at the oddest tis.
"I've been thinking," Jael began, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. This drew her from her thoughts, and she looked up at him. "We should make preparations to ensure your safety—and the baby's."
Mauve narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what he could possibly be talking about. She wouldn't be surprised if it had sothing to do with the walks she insisted on. Jael had tried multiple tis to cancel them, but thankfully, Kieran had thought they were a good idea, and the walks had stayed.
Unfortunately, Kieran couldn't remain and had to leave after barely a few days. Mauve had been sad, but he assured her that the instant she felt even slightly off, he would leave his estate and return to the castle in a single night. Mauve had simply nodded, hoping nothing would cause her to need his presence.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" she whispered as they neared the front doors.
Jael didn't answer imdiately. Instead, he led her through the doors, with the guards holding them open and bowing silently to both of them.
The doors shut loudly, and Mauve flinched. "Haven't you heard them shut too many tis to still be startled?" Jael teased.
"I am not startled every ti. It's not my fault the doors are so loud."
"I'll ask the guards to close them gently next ti. How about that?"
"Of course not." Mauve glared at him. "There's nothing wrong with the way the doors sound now. I was just distracted by my thoughts."
"And what could have you so distracted?"
"You're the one who brought up protecting and the baby. Isn't that sothing to be distracted about?" Mauve asked, annoyed that Jael was turning her slight flinch into a big deal.
"Yes, I suppose this one is on ."
Mauve narrowed her eyes but kept her mouth shut. She was more interested in what he had to say than in arguing further. "So, what's going on?"
"Well," Jael groaned. "I'm sure word has gotten out, and the lords will be scheming. I'm bound to receive one too many letters very soon—and most likely, unwanted visitors."
Mauve stopped walking and turned to face him. "You an you don't trust the lords."
Jael's silence was answer enough.
"You don't think they'd go that far, do you?" Mauve asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jael's expression darkened. "I don't think they would, but all it takes is just one person to tie everything together."
"Seraphino?" Mauve asked. She didn't like saying his na, but she wanted to confirm if he was the one Jael was worried about.
"No! Never. I promise on my life it won't happen a third ti." Jael already planned to slay Seraphino on the spot if necessary. The whole banishnt had been laughable. Seeing Seraphino walk out after laying hands on his mate—bruises all over her neck—had done sothing to Jael he couldn't explain. He knew that if there was ever a next ti, Seraphino would not walk out alive. He'd deal with the consequences after.
Mauve nodded, relieved that Seraphino wasn't the reason for his worry. As much as she hated it, he still frightened her. The thought of ever experiencing anything similar again was sothing she didn't want to dwell on.
"It's the other lords I'm more worried about. They won't do anything directly, but if they plan to…" Jael let his words trail off. He didn't want Mauve to worry. She already had the baby to think about; he would make sure she didn't have to bear this burden.
The weight of his words settled over her, even though Jael didn't finish. For a mont, Mauve felt the enormity of their situation pressing down on her chest. She instinctively placed a hand over her stomach, her gaze dropping.
"I won't let anything happen to you or our child," Jael said firmly, his hand cupping her cheek and forcing her to look up at him. "Do you understand , Mauve?"
She nodded, though doubt lingered at the edges of her thoughts. The lords' disdain for her humanity wasn't sothing that could be erased overnight. She could only imagine the horror that would arise when they discovered human blood could mix with vampire blood. Mauve understood Jael's worry and equally felt it. The next few months would spell more trouble for them.
"Then let help you," he continued, his tone softening. "You don't have to fight this battle alone."
Mauve wanted to say that was her line, but she wondered if he had noticed the struggle she thought she had hidden well. She searched Jael's eyes, seeing the softness behind his strength. He was just as worried as she was, though he hid it better.
"All right," she said finally, her voice steady. "But I won't let them see as weak. I may be human, but I'm still your mate and the mother of your child—and I'll prove to them that I'm worthy of that title."
Jael's lips twitched into the faintest smile, pride flickering in his eyes. "You already have."
They continued walking, their steps in sync. Mauve felt a small asure of peace. It wasn't much, but it was enough to hold onto. She knew the incident with Seraphino was sothing that would always hang over them—especially for Jael—and he wanted nothing more than to prove to her it wouldn't happen again.
She wanted badly to believe him, and for now, that was all she would do. Regardless of the mishap, she trusted Jael with her life and that of the baby. She was sure he would put his life and the throne on the line to keep them safe.
Mauve looked up at the moon; it was bright tonight, and what a pretty sight it was. "The moon is full tonight. Very beautiful," she whispered as they started walking again.
"Yes," Jael replied without looking up.
Mauve smiled at him. "You're not even looking at it."
"I am," he replied.
Mauve shook her head and didn't push. Jael would probably say sothing embarrassing. "Fine, if you say so."
"I say so," he replied adamantly.
As they walked in the moonlit night, Mauve found herself lulled into a mont of quiet. The world around them felt still, even though she knew trouble lingered in the shadows of their lives. Jael's steady presence beside her offered so comfort, even as her mind wrestled with the many uncertainties ahead.
"What do you think they'll say when they find out?" she asked softly, breaking the silence.
Jael's gaze shifted to her. "They'll say many things, none of them pleasant. But their words won't matter."
Mauve raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You're awfully confident about that."
"They've questioned for years, Mauve. First for waiting to ascend the throne, then for the changes I've made. None of it has stopped , and this won't either. Let them talk."
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