Page 84 of Fire Forged

Britt winked at Lily, and together, they pressed a kiss to each of his cheeks.

Britt pulled away first.“Come, squirt, let’s see what we can find to drink.How about a mocktail.”

“What’s that?”Lily asked, wiggled until Nerx let her down, then hurried to the rehydrator.

“You’ll see.”Britt ordered a non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiri and handed it to Lily.“Medic,” she whispered to Nerx.

He typed on his O.D.I., bounded to the door, and swung it wide.“On his way.”

A minute later, a man hovered in the door, wearing the same color and style as Tico.“I am Medic Udia.How may I assist?”His gaze swept between Nerx’s eyes to Britt, to Lily, then back.

Britt crossed to stand before him, just so she could whisper, “I suspect I’m pregnant.”

His eyes widened.A smile twitched his lips.“You seek confirmation.”He tapped his wrist, then scanned her.“Indeed, milady.You bear a son.”

Ice trickled down her back as her chest exploded with joy.“A boy?”

“Thank you, Medic Udia, for delivering such wonderful news.”Nerx pressed his palm to the man’s shoulder.

“Will that be all, Ambassador?”

At Nerx’s nod, the man left.Britt was frozen in place, tears spilling through her laughter.

“Why are you crying?”Lily asked, then licked her ruby-red lips.

“Because the Maker sent you a brother.”Nerx knelt, looped his arms around Britt’s ass, and rested his temple on her stomach.“My son.”

She sucked in a sharp breath.Mom always advised women to wait sixteen weeks before announcing it.What if something went wrong?She couldn’t rely on Etteria’s amazing medical tech, like Mom seemed to do.Especially when Mom was the extent of their knowledge on the subject.

But the cat was out of the bag.Britt would just have to be super careful.

“A brother?Where’s he?”Lily handed Britt the mocktail to dart around the room.

She smiled.“He’s still being made, squirt.”

“Oh,” Lily said, trudging back to take her cup.“What’s his name?”She twirled her finger in the strawberry slush then sucked it.

“Kyerx?”Britt raised both eyebrows at Nerx.

He shook his head.“I want him named after you.”

She chuckled.“Britta is not a good boy name.”

“In Etterian culture, the last letters of the father’s name pass to the son.If the father wishes to honor the mother, then the last letters of her name are used.”

Her chest clenched and released at his thoughtfulness.

It made sense, though: Tarx, Kyerx, and Nerx.“So, what did you have in mind?”she asked, letting his unbound hair curl around her fingers.

That he loved her… She couldn’t contain the emotions roiling within her, nor control the smiles that formed at random and without her bidding.

“Vitta?”He peered at her, his chin digging into her stomach, but not painfully.

“How about Kyta?Half Kyerx and me?”

He rose, cupped her face, then kissed her long and leisurely.“The Ethera chose well,thamani.You are perfect for me.

“Flattery will get you some appreciation.”She grinned.“And Kyta it is.”

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