by Laurie Roma
As for Liandra’s own secret, they would be announcing her pregnancy news at the gathering that evening. She had also discovered that her emotional outbursts and mood swings were, in fact, due to her pregnancy. Fortunately, they would ease once she and her mates were able to bond with the baby.
Until then, she would be an emotional bomb ready to go off without warning. That also meant she would be sleeping on her mates for the foreseeable future, but that part was something they had all come to love.
She had been so stressed out about their first gathering that she had been banished up to their suite for the last few hours. She knew she was driving everyone crazy, including herself, but she couldn’t help it. They had a dozen females living with them on the island now, and she was pretty sure some of them had guessed she was carrying, but they hadn’t said anything to anyone.
The females had been incredibly helpful while planning the gathering. In fact, Liandra was sure they could have done it without her help. She was pleased to see them so enthusiastic about helping with the gatherings, and that alone made hosting the events worthwhile.
Jasyn and Aeron were overseeing last-minute details to make sure she didn’t have to worry about them. It had been Braden’s turn to help her rest for the last few hours, and though she hadn’t slept, she did feel more relaxed. Resting her head on his chest, she sighed in contentment.
“There is something I have been meaning to ask you…”
“Keeping secrets from me?” he teased, but there was a hint of seriousness in his tone.
“Not exactly. It is just something I was thinking about.”
She traced circles around one of his nipples with her fingertip, and he put his hand over hers to stop her.
“Do not distract me. What is this about, Lia?”
“I was thinking about the baby while I was lying here, and I…I know it is too early to think about such things, but I want to name her Talia. If that is alright with you, Jasyn, and Aeron.”
Braden felt emotions well up inside him. Talia had been his mother’s name, the mother he and his brothers had loved and adored. “I would be honored if we named our daughter Talia.”
She pressed a kiss over his heart. “Thank you.”
“Nay, thank you. You are my life now, Lia. My love, my light, my reason for breathing,” he said softly. “After all this time, I still miss my mother, but sharing her name with our daughter will give a little piece of her back to me, to us. Having you do that for us means more than I can say.”
“There is nothing I would not do for you. I love you, Braden.”
“And I love you, always and forever.”
Ready to share a part of that love with their people, they transported downstairs a little later. Liandra chose to wear the dress the Goddess had gifted to her. The dress and belt looked amazing paired with her bracelet, rings, and mating torque. As soon as Jasyn and Aeron saw her, they hurried over. They each kissed her as if they had missed her terribly, and she felt her heart sing as they glanced down at her flat stomach.
“Everyone is here,” Aeron said, smiling. “You worried for nothing, princess.”
Since she had been worried no one would attend, she had to admit he was right. “It could just be because this is the first. What about the other gathering? What if—”
Aeron cut her off with a kiss. “You worry too much.”
Jasyn nodded. “That is something we can discuss later. For now, we have more important things to focus on.”
“Is it time?”
Jasyn stroked a finger down her cheek. “I think it is the perfect way to start the evening.”
Nerves shot through her as they stood in front of the packed room on a raised area that acted as a small stage. Jasyn and Aeron squeezed her hands, then they gently pushed her forward a step. They had decided she would be the one to make the announcement, but she had never been good at speaking in front of so many people.
“You can do it, mate,” Braden assured. “You can do anything.”
Bolstered by his belief in her, she used a little touch of magic to project her voice. “Welcome people of the Sands. We are honored to be hosting you for our first official event. We hope you come to view these gatherings as a way to spend time with friends, meet new people, but ultimately, we hope that each of you is able to find love like I have with my mates.”
As she looked out at the crowd and saw the faces of family, friends, and people she hoped to get to know better, she felt her nerves fade away.
“Braden, Jasyn, and Aeron have brought magic into my life, in more ways than one. And tonight, we would like to share a little bit of that magic with you. Please, enjoy yourselves tonight. Eat, drink, make new friends, and help us celebrate the new princess we will soon be adding to the royal family!”
When she placed her hand on her stomach, the crowd erupted into cheers. Braden, Jasyn, and Aeron each laid a hand over hers, uniting their family together as one.
This was life.
This was love.
This was everything a mating was truly meant to be.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laurie Roma mainly writes contemporary, romantic suspense, and sci-fi romance. She can usually be found tapping away on her keyboard, creating worlds for her characters while she listens to music. Of course, her playlist depends on her mood…but then again, so does her writing. She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at [email protected].
For all titles by Laurie Roma, please visit
www.laurieroma.com
