“Relax, Sar,” Stephen said. “Breathe deeply.”
I let out a breath irritably, then a few more.
“I’m done,” Stephen said, moving back from me.
He’d barely touched me. Yet I had to be pregnant; I had The Lust...
“What is wrong?” Danial asked anxiously. “You exude worry, Stephen.”
“Sar is pregnant,” Stephen said. “I am guessing about three to four weeks, but it could be less.”
All three of us gaped at Stephen.
“The baby is developing fast, a little too fast. I want you to come in every other week until you are about six months, and then every week after that. If the baby gets too big, we’ll do a C-section, Sar. Don’t worry—”
“This is wonderful,” Devlin said, grinning from ear to ear. He stepped over to me quickly. “This is the happiest day of my life, Sar—”
“It’s not yours, Dalcon,” Stephen said.
We all froze.
“Sar’s blood has a little were DNA in it,” Stephen continued. “It never had any before. It has to be from the baby, because the baby is were—”
“No,” Devlin gasped.
“It can’t be! Sar has The Lust!” Danial exclaimed. “She has all the symptoms—!”
“Sar’s part vampire now,” Stephen retorted. “She may have The Lust no matter what kind of child she is carrying, be it mortal, vampire or were.”
For a half second silence reigned. Then Danial burst out laughing. Devlin turned to him in a split second and slammed him against the wall, holding him by the throat. Danial struggled, but continued to laugh, almost choking on it as it poured out of him.
“Damn you!” Devlin shrieked. “You orchestrated this somehow! How did you—?”
“I did nothing,” Danial choked out. “I’m ecstatic that for once your well-laid plans are for naught. That Theo, who has loved Sar far longer than you have, will get the child he has been wanting with her for years. He has only years, Dev. Sar can bear you a child after she has this one for him—”
“They are not for naught,” Devlin said, his tone cold. “Sar is mine. She’ll bear my children or none at all.”
Danial fought loose, shoving Devlin out of the way, then got between us, glaring defiantly at his brother. “How dare you say that?”
“You’ll not abort my child!” I yelled at Dev, incredulous. “How could you even think it?”
“Hush,” Danial said forcefully. “No one is going to. Dev is just letting his ass overload his mouth.”
Devlin glared at him, then folded his arms across his chest.
“You have to let this take its course, Dalcon,” Stephen cautioned. “Sar should not have achieved a pregnancy this soon after all of her health troubles these past six months.”
“What are you saying?” I asked.
Stephen’s eyes held regret. “That it’s possible you’ll miscarry, even likely—”
I blinked back tears. “I can’t go through that again—”
Danial held me tightly, stroking my hair, trying to soothe me. “What can we do? There must be something. I don’t want her to go through that again.”
“Neither do I,” Devlin said irritably, after a moment. “She could die like Annabelle did. Her health is our top priority.”
“You need to limit sharing the virus with her,” Stephen replied. “Keep giving her blood as she needs it, but not a lot. I don’t know if the virus will affect the baby—”
“You just said the baby will be were,” Danial said, glancing at Stephen. “Vampire virus and were virus do not affect one another. Bloodletting shouldn’t affect the child—”
“Don’t take her blood if you can help it,” Stephen interrupted. “If you must bite, fine, but—”
“She is not anemic,” Devlin shot back. “You just said she was healthy, overly so—”
“You want to take the chance you’ll hurt her or her child?” Stephen said angrily.
“No,” Danial said, glaring at Devlin. “Of course we don’t.” Devlin echoed him a moment later, glaring back.
Stephen turned to me. “I’ll write you another prescription for some prenatal vitamins, Sar. These ones are specifically for weres. Other than that, come back in a month for a checkup, and call me with any problems.” He gave me a smile, then left..
Danial handed me my clothes. “Do you want a ride home?”
“I can’t believe this happened,” Devlin said, anguished.
“What will it mean for us?” I asked as I dressed.
“Nothing, in terms of you coming to me,” Devlin said pointedly.
My hackles went up at his possessive tone. “I mean what about Samuel and the rest?”
“I’ll find some way to deal with them,” Devlin said. He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll call you later, Love. Remember, I expect you this weekend, and on Wednesdays as well.” He strode out.
“Do you want that ride?” Danial asked.
What I really needed was some time to myself. “No. Can you send him home early, though? I need some time to think about all this.”
“Of course,” Danial said. He hugged me. “Remember, you don’t have to face this all on your own.”
I gave him a blank look, buttoning my overshirt.
“We are Oathed to each other,” Danial said, concerned. “Dev and I will figure out a way for you to have this baby, don’t worry—”
I have to get out of here, now. I kissed him quickly, then teleported home, the walls of Exam Room One dissolving into the brightly colored walls of my home. Ghost and Darkness began whining and barking happily, and I led them over to the couch. I sat there stroking them, too overwhelmed even to speak.
I was having a baby and it was Theo’s. Devlin’s well-laid plans were in tatters, as Danial had said; the Rulers would certainly demand me back, as soon as they knew. But what was the worst was I wasn’t sure I wanted this baby at all.
I rubbed my eyes, feeling despicable. What the hell was I going to do?
Ghost jostled my arm with his big white nose, whining eagerly.
“Well, the first thing to do is to take you for a walk,” I said, wiping at my eyes. “Thank God for dogs.”
I put on my coat, and took the two dogs outside into the gently falling snow. There was not much on the ground, enough so I could walk without too much trouble to the gate at the end of the field and beyond. As the dogs ran and played, I went through my options, none of them looking any better.
I believed in a woman’s right to choose, especially in the case of rape or sex coerced under an influence that impeded a woman’s right to say no. Despite the odd nature of my circumstances, my case was squarely within those parameters. I’d never have had sex with Theo willingly...
Wouldn’t you, an inner voice asked. You’ve loved him for years, no matter what sexy vampire was calling you theirs. You were always his, really...
“Stop it,” I said aloud. “That isn’t true.”
Of course it is, the inner voice persisted. You’re soul mates; Terian said so. Titus said something similar. What else could allow you to get pregnant from one night after all you went through during Christmas and New Year’s?
“Maybe,” I murmured, then turned to home. “Maybe I’m just going batty from all the supernatural shit.”
I had just gotten back through the gate when Theo came running up, gun drawn. “What in the hell are you doing out here!” he yelled. “I’ve been worried sick.”
“The dogs needed a walk,” I said defensively. “I’m pregnant, not crippled.”
He grabbed my arm, then began to march me back to the house. “At least it’s done,” he said roughly, running his free hand through his hair. “Once you have the baby, you won’t have to go to him anymore. We’ll be free of him. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep him away from you—”
“That’s not going to happen,” I said arrogantly, an odd glee rising up from within me. “Devlin isn’t done with me.”
“He w
ill be,” Theo growled. “He’ll have his baby, and—”
My glee grew into sudden happiness, then pure joy. “Theo, you aren’t listening.” I stopped walking and kissed him, then pulled back for effect. “My baby’s going to have a tail.”
His eyes widened, then he abruptly went down on his knees before me in the snow. Ghost and Darkness ran over to him, barking worriedly.
“I’m okay guys,” he managed, then got to his feet. He hugged me very delicately, as if I might break. “You’re sure?”
“Stephen confirmed it. There’s werecougar DNA in my blood.”
Theo let out a loud whoop of joy, and then picked me up and began walking fast.
“What are you doing?” I said, laughing as I half-heartedly struggled to get free.
“Taking you inside where it’s warm,” he said with a grin. “We have celebrating to do.”
* * * *
About a half-hour later, I teleported Elle and Theoron to my house, so we could tell them together.
“What’s going on, Mom?” Elle said, once she sat down. “You’re very happy, but serious.”
“Your mom is going to give you another brother or sister,” Theo said, his joy radiating out of him, suffusing every word. “He or she will be werecougar like you are, Elle.”
“Really, Mom?” Elle asked eagerly. Theoron looked dubious.
“Yes, really,” I said happily, hugging her.
Theoron climbed up on the couch and hugged me, too. “I hope it’s a boy. Boys are better.”
“I’d rather have a sister,” Elle said, sticking her tongue out at him. “I want someone to dance and sing with me the way you and I do, Mom!”
“There’s not a choice,” I said, laughing. “Sorry, I can’t choose.”
“When can we find out if it’s a boy or a girl?” Theo asked quickly.
“Another month and a half,” I answered. “There’s a test Stephen can do on my blood. If it’s a boy, there will be “Y” chromosome DNA in my blood—”
“Does Grandma know?” Elle interjected.
“No,” Theo said, giving me a smile. “Let’s go tell her, Mom.”
I opened my mouth.
“Yes, we’ll bring Danial,” Theo said, putting his hands up. “I know the standing rule that Theoron goes nowhere socially without him.” He took my hand. “Besides, it’s time we came together as a family, anyway. No more secrets.”
As he squeezed my hand in his, I wanted to say that Devlin should also be there, that to leave him out of this was like keeping a secret. He had a place here in the family, too. But I didn’t speak up, not wanting to spoil Theo’s happiness.
* * * *
Danial was obviously nervous as we approached my parents’ home, Theo and the children trailing us. He glossed it over as he always did, shaking Chris’s hand politely.
“Good to see you, Danial.”
“Theo,” my mom said, ignoring Danial. “Go right in to the kitchen. There’s a fresh pumpkin pie waiting for you and—”
“If you’ll serve him and the children some pieces, Tina,” Danial said kindly but pointedly, “We have exciting news we would like to share.”
As my mother was bringing in the pie to serve us, Theo reached his limit. “Sarelle’s pregnant!” he said happily to my mother. “I’m going to be a father again—”
My mom stopped walking and swayed, dropping the pie she was carrying. Danial reacted with lightning speed, grabbing it and her before either hit the floor. He put the pie carefully on the table with one hand as he eased her into her chair with the other. “Sit down here, Tina,” he said gently. “I’ll serve the pie.”
“Congratulations,” my stepfather said, beaming. “I’ll get the thirty-year Port Ellen. Be right back.”
My mother cast worried eyes my way. “Not that I’m not happy for you both, but... How safe is this?”
“Sar’s fine,” Theo said soothingly, taking one of her hands in his. “She’s going to a good doctor, the one who she went to when she had Theoron. We’ll keep you posted on how the baby is developing, and let you know as soon as there's a due date.”
“It’s going to be...like you?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Theo said, putting his hand on her shoulder. “Just like Elle—”
A wave of fear hit me. Tawny had died because Elle had gotten too big too fast. What if that happened to me—?
Danial put his hand on my shoulder. “Stephen will take care of you,” he said tenderly. “Don’t worry, Sar.”
He was right. There was nothing to worry about. Theo would take care of me.
* * * *
“Did you leave Danial the cat?” I asked, as Theo and I lay cuddling on the couch.
“Yes, in a large cage with a bow in Danial’s bedroom. He’s got food and water, but it won’t be long before he’s discovered. I let Elle in on the cat.”
That was good. Danial would be missing me tonight like I was missing him.
“I was given an invite for us to Ivan and Janice’s mating,” Theo said. “It’s in mid-June, on a Saturday.”
“Put down four people,” I replied. “You, me, Elle, and Theoron. That way Danial won’t have to worry about skipping out on a meeting if he has one that night. He can just meet us there whenever he’s able.”
“Sure.” Theo paused. “I have to ask; was Devlin mad when you found out it was mine?”
“Yes, livid. But he said it didn’t matter. Danial told him he could essentially wait his turn.”
“So long as he accepts it. That’s the best I hoped for.” He paused again. “I’m a little afraid. I’ve wanted this for so long, and now I finally have it.”
“I’m not going anywhere, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I said, kissing him. “I’m going to need your help, the bigger I get.”
“I’ll be here,” Theo said, kissing me. “Just tell me what you need.”
“Nothing right now,” I said softly, kissing him. “I have everything that I need right here.”
“I’m glad you’re happy,” he murmured lovingly. “I was worried you wouldn’t be.”
I gave him an odd look. “Why do you say that? Of course I’m happy.”
“It doesn’t matter now,” Theo said soothingly. “I love you, you love me, and that’s all that matters.”
* * * *
That night, I awoke in a sweat. Theo lay beside me, still sleeping soundly.
I looked around for what had awoken me, but saw nothing amiss. The dogs were sleeping peacefully, and there were no noises from the cats sleeping in front of the fire.
Maybe that was it; the fire was out. It was cool in here. As I got up to go out to the woodstove, I brushed back my hair, and felt it snag hard, radiating pain through my scalp.
Carefully, I felt around. My hair was caught somehow in my choker. Carefully, I reached back and unfastened it, untangling my hair from the gold links. To my surprise, it was Danial’s fox head, not Devlin’s bear. I’d forgotten to switch them after coming back from the trip.
I went to my box, and opened it, putting Danial’s choker inside. As I did, I noticed a few sheets of paper folded in the bottom near Devlin’s poetry. Closing the box, I replaced it, then brought Devlin’s choker with the papers into the other room.
The fire was not out, just low. I added wood, then sat in a nearby chair to wait for the flames to catch it. As I did, I read the papers.
I’d written them, but I didn’t recognize myself. This Sar was besotted with Devlin, crazy in love, completely in thrall to him. She hated Theo for leaving her, and blamed him for everything. Some of the accusations and graphic details were terrible. If Theo should ever find this, he would be so hurt...
I opened the woodstove, and quickly cast the pages into the now roaring flames. I turned down the damper, watching the fire consume the written ravings.
They had been ravings; ravings of a madwoman. I wasn’t that woman anymore; I was back to my old self.
The pages were soon ash. I looked down
at the choker in my hand, the bear’s eyes gleaming green. I had an instant desire to throw it in too, but then it passed.
Devlin had saved me, not Theo. I not only was Oathed to him, I owed him. The least I could do was honor the promise I had made.
I clasped the choker around my neck, feeling the ends sliding together. Then I turned out the light, and went back to bed.
About the Author
Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, action-adventure, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal action-adventure Lash series and the vampire romantic suspense Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.
Other works by the author with Melange Books, LLC
Return To Me
Surrender to Me
The Origin of Fear in Spellbound 2011 Anthology
Night Music in Midnight Thirsts II Anthology
Partners in Midnight Thirsts II Anthology
Kink in Wicked Christmas Wishes Anthology
The Oath in Wicked Christmas Wishes Anthology
Bedtime Shadows Anthology
Make Me Behave Anthology
Latham’s Landing, An Anthology
The Promise Me Series
Promise Me, Book 1
Broken Promise, Book 2
Taken in the Night, Book 3
Taken for his Own, Book 4
Promise Me Anthology, Book 4.5
Immortal Confessions, Book 5
Her Secret, Book 6
Point of No Return, Book 7
Coming Soon
Lost Paradise, Book 8 of the Promise Me Series
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Also Available
From Melange Books
Immortal Confessions
A 'Promise Me' Origins Tale
Point of No Return Page 28
