Page 51 of Orin

His voice was gentle when he spoke again. “We’ve talked about what will happen when you give birth...you know I want to be there with you?”

Biting my lip, I responded. “I want you with me. It’s important to me you be there.”

He grinned, and I started to feel better.

“Well, I was also thinking it might be better if I stay here with you....in the suite. I want to be available whenever you need me. Day or night.”

“What about your job?” I asked, bubbling with excitement at what he was asking.

He chuckled. “I am still the King’s personal guard but my time is flexible. He and I have spoken about my duty to him and my duty to my K’sha.”

I raised my brows. “Duty?”

“I am your fated mate. It is my duty to see you are protected, provided for, and cared for. I never want you to be unhappy.”

“You want us to live together? Here?” I couldn’t help the beaming smile on my face. Because of course I wanted that. The thought of snuggling up with him every night filled me with joy.

He cast a shy glance downward before reestablishing eye contact with me. “Yes. If you are comfortable with it?”

I managed to push myself out of my chair to plant kisses all over his face. “Yes. Please.” I whispered every word in between kisses.

He laughed. “I want to keep you safe as well as happy and satisfied, my mate.”

My loins began to ache upon hearing his words. “You keep me very satisfied and happy, ineveryway.”

The baby chose that moment to kick, and I dropped my hands to my belly and rubbed slow circles. Orin’s attention was drawn to the little foot sticking out from my stomach. My pregnancy had captivated him, and he constantly asked questions about it.

The sight of my child’s foot left him speechless, and his mouth dropped in awe. “Is... the youngling... does it hurt?”

I grinned. “Sometimes. He seems to respond to my voice.” I glanced at my mate to see a look of astonishment on his face, and it touched my heart.

Orin laid his palm on my belly. His massive hand covered my stomach.

The baby shifted inside me and Orin pushed his chair back, moving to kneel on the floor in front of me. He held my bump with both hands this time, and his face lit up when the baby kicked again.

His gaze changed. I saw and felt his excitement as he stared off into the distance. His eyes took on the faraway look, reminiscent of his telepathic exchanges with other Alarans.

He spoke in a gentle whisper as if he didn’t want to frighten my baby. “Are you able to communicate with her telepathically?” He looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes.

My breath caught in my throat. “Her?”

His revelation hit me, leaving me stunned. Although Rekna had offered to reveal the baby’s gender, I had wanted to keep it as a delightful surprise. This was the first time Orin felt the baby kick with his own hands.

“She is female is she not?” Orin’s voice carried a no-nonsense, matter-of-fact tone.

“I don’t know. Aside from my new connection with you, I’m not telepathic,” I teased, raising an eyebrow, “but thanks for spoiling the surprise.” I giggled.

Rising to his feet, he wore a sheepish grin.

I stroked his arm, beaming at him. “Are you sure that my baby will be a girl? How can you know? She’s not telepathic either.”

It was funny to think he knew the sex of my baby before I did.

He led me to my chair. When I sat a wide grin formed on his lips. “Yes, I am sure she is female. I can hear her thoughts. She is happy.”

My heart felt hundreds of pounds lighter.

“Really? After everything that’s happened, she is happy?” I sighed as tears rimmed my eyes. It was a miracle she had survived with all we had gone through.

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