Page 68 of Tangled Threads Of Fate

He dipped his chin at me, but then turned and left. I would talk to him tomorrow, once we’d all had a chance to sleep.

For the last time, I silently prayed to my Goddess, who had been faded and gone for so long now, I could barely remember her face.

Goddess, give me the strength to protect them in a way that I couldn’t protect you.

And just like the last thousand times I’d prayed to her, there was nothing but an aching silence.

Chapter 36

TERON

Iwasn’t sure if it was the potential bond between Wren and I, or the circumstances of the last couple of days, but I found myself doing a version of nesting. Well, not nesting, but preparing. The attack had proved that we needed to prepare for any eventuality, and more than that, it had proved that it wouldn’t be safe for her to travel to the human hospital in Heraklion to deliver her babies.

I’d already been discussing Wren’s health with Dr. Eladio, talking about needs and necessities for a home birth. We had looked at the research, the guidelines and best practices, and had come up with a plan, in case she needed to deliver locally.

After the attack, her giving birth here in the compound was a foregone conclusion. I would have to convince Wren, of course, and probably Néit. I would also read every ounce of literature I could get my hands on.

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

I looked around the room I was currently converting to an operating room. I was slowly stocking it with everything that was needed, and was working toward making everything as sterileas I could physically make it, because humans were alarmingly fragile and prone to death.

The Gryphon made an irritated squawk at the idea that his mate was anything less than perfection. His mate. My mate.Fuck.He huffed in my mind as if I was being a baby, and I rolled my eyes. She was human. What if something happened to her? What if nothing happened to her and she just died in seventy years, like a normal human?

I hated the uncertainty of it all, and I added it to the ever-growing list of things I needed to research. Going back to making sure all the instruments I’d borrowed from Eladio were sterilized within an inch of their life, I continued down my mental checklist.

A knock at the door had me turning, and the subject of my pining thoughts appeared. The Gryphon ruffled his feathers in my mind, which made me smile.Vain bastard.

I wasn’t surprised that Milo was behind her. She was rarely alone these days, and I wondered if that grated on her. Maybe I’d casually ask if she needed some space from their constant hovering.

The Gryphon showed me an image of him snapping at them, keeping everyone away so she could rest. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that “alone” meant without him too.

“Wren, how are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve spent a week eating at an all-you-can-eat taco restaurant and there’s no longer room for my organs.” Milo laughed behind her, his fingers tracing any bare skin they could find, like he was addicted to the feel of it.

“It’s a fairly good analogy. Come out into the other room so you can sit.”And not contaminate the clean room.I didn’t say that, though, not wanting to freak her out just yet. That would be coming in a moment.

I led her into a connecting sitting room, the one where I’d been checking her vitals and doing ultrasounds for the last few weeks. She slumped down on the couch, her hands propping up her growing stomach.

Clearing my throat, I sat down opposite her. My heart was thumping in my chest; it was time to lay it all out on the line. I didn’t know why I felt so vulnerable. Looking over, Milo gave me a reassuring nod.

“I’m glad you stopped by, because there are a couple of things I was hoping to talk to you about.”

I’m your mate.Maybe we’d start with the birth plan first. How wasI want to cut you open in a rudimentary operating roomthe easier topic of conversation?

“Firstly, I know you said you wanted to go to the hospital in Heraklion for the birth of the babies, but after the breach of the island’s wards the other night, I worry about the safety of you, the babies, and the other people at the hospital. I’m hoping you might consider birthing here, in the compound, where we can keep you all safe. I promise, I am up-to-date on all the skills and practices needed to birth triplets, as well as planning for all eventualities.”

I was going to get the guys to let me practice giving epidurals. Not that I wasn’t confident, but I didn’t want the first time I’d done it in twenty years to be on the woman in front of me.

She looked wary, which was understandable. In emergencies, humans were programmed to seek out the closest hospital. Closing her eyes, she rubbed a hand over her belly and sighed. “I trust you. If it comes to that, I can deliver here.”

I stifled my relieved breath. The Gryphon hated the thought of her being out of our territory, out of our protection, but a damn Gryphon couldn’t wander the halls of a hospital either. I nodded. I hoped it wasn’t necessary, that this all went away for her.

But I wouldn’t hold my breath. If there was anything Mythics did well, it was hold onto grudges.

Nodding, I gave her a reassuring smile. “Good. Okay.” Sucking in a deep breath, I just let the next words spew from my mouth with no finesse. “My Gryphon believes you’re his mate.”

She blinked at me, and Milo snorted a laugh. “Mate?”

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