Page 7 of Regal Rising

“Well, at least they made clothing for us.”

“One step ahead of the Elite coming back. Twelve hours. We were there for twelve hours and then had to go down a rock wall without being able to feel our thighs.”

Reggie smiled softly. “A few more days and I will know if she’s with us again.”

“You sound more blended than you were before.”

“I am. She’s settling into me now. She was supposed to find a host when they were born, but I had my little accident, and she jumped into a three-year-old.” She smiled. “Reggie was already firmly attached to this body.”

“The day you died.”

“And came back with two souls. Neat, huh?” Reggie chuckled. She was exhausted, and her whole body throbbed.

“So, what is the plan? You have the property and the mortgage on it. So what now? We put tiny houses on it and make a hobbit town?”

“Sirrush said what I needed would come to me.” She smiled. “I am also covered with jewellery under this dress. He was always good with that sort of thing. He is pissed about waiting to meet his daughter and not being able to spoil me this time, but I am not letting the Elite near us this time. It is going to be friends and family and no one else.”

“So, big delivery party.”

“Uh, maybe just me and a midwife for that.”

“You have time.”

“From my memories, it goes faster than you think.” She caressed the twisted lock with her blood and his.

Rex laughed. “That’s what Mom said, too. It is the longest blink of an eye that you can have.”

“Can I nap?”

“Yup. We are on the way home, and your hubby is locked behind those doors for another decade. I can’t decide if it is a time-out or a bad-dragon box.”

Reggie laughed and snorted as she curled up in her seat. “Bad dragon. Beware the tails.”

“Yeah. No shit about the tails,” Rex muttered and got them off the desert track and onto the main road.

Reggie smiled and relaxed. Four hours to home.

* * * *

Reggie watched theprogress from her camera array. The workers didn’t mind. They didn’t want her waddling all over unless they were ready to help her over the stone and debris. “I wish I could have her there.”

Kay was a doula, and she folded bedding and arranged toys in the nursery. “Why can’t you be?”

“They haven’t finished a room, let alone a nursery.” Reggie chuckled.

“May I?” Kay gestured to the belly.

“Sure.”

Kay touched Reggie’s belly and smiled. “You still have a few days. She’s patient. I will see what I can do.”

Reggie touched her hand. “What can you do?”

She smiled. “What I need to for an up-and-coming mom.”

* * * *

Kay walked to the siteand looked at the blueprints. The architect was there, as was the contractor and stone mason. “So, what is needed for the main habitation?”

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