Page 23 of Frozen Star
Once her back is fully turned, I remove my undergarments and lie back against the pillows. Aerix immediately takes my hand, and the sire bond pulses between us, carrying both his protective fury and his desperate concern.
“She’s ready,” he says, his gaze not leaving mine as the doctor approaches.
Her expression remains focused and professional, despite the intensity radiating from Aerix’s body. “This won’t take long,” she tells me, positioning herself between my legs to begin the examination.
My breathing speeds up. Why does she need to examine methere?Shouldn’t she be checking my lungs, or my throat, or my ears, or something other thanthis?
Aerix leans down close, whispering softly, “I’m right here. You’re safe. With me, you’re always safe.”
True to Dr. Lennox’s word, the examination is brief and gentle—well, as gentle as it can be, given what it is.
Finally, she finishes and withdraws, stepping back to give us space.
“Well?” Aerix demands after I’m fully clothed again.
Dr. Lennox wipes her hands, then looks between me and Aerix with an expression I can’t quite read.
“What I’m about to tell you defies every law of supernatural biology,” she begins, sounding so shaken that she’s not exactly giving me high confidence in her abilities. “As you’re likely already aware, the transformation that creates a vampire halts mortal fertility. The undead body becomes incapable of sustaining new life. In all recorded history, across centuries of vampire existence, there has never been a single documented case of vampire conception.”
My grip tightens around Aerix’s hand. “What are you saying?” I ask, my voice sounding muffled to my ears.
She takes a shaky breath. “I’m saying that even though it goes against every natural law I know... you’re pregnant.”
The room tilts dangerously, and I can’t seem to draw enough air into my lungs.
Pregnant,the word echoes in my mind, over and over, impossible and terrifying.
“What?” Aerix’s voice is a whisper beside me, his grip on my hand tightening to the point of pain. “That’s impossible.”
“I know.” Dr. Lennox shakes her head, clearly stunned herself. “But it’s unmistakable. Zoey is with child.”
I force myself to breathe, the room feeling like it’s closing in around me. “But you just said vampires can’t?—”
“I know what I said,” she tells me, sharper now, more confident. “But the physical signs are unmistakable. The cervical changes, the uterine positioning... there’s no doubt in what I saw during the examination. You’re pregnant.”
Fear curls in my chest. Because this can’t be true. It justcan’t.I can’t be…
Just the thought of the word sends another wave of panic crashing through my body.
“Are you sure?” Aerix asks, strangely calm.
“I’m certain,” Dr. Lennox replies, her expression earnest as she focuses on me. “Your symptoms are consistent with early pregnancy. Morning sickness typically begins around six weeks, and judging by the onset and severity, I’d estimate you’re roughly around that stage.”
My head spins with confusion. “This doesn’t make sense,” I say, unable to grasp my thoughts. “Aerix turned me three weeks ago. How can that?—?”
“Either the onset of symptoms is faster for vampires, or you conceived while still human,” Dr. Lennox says, watching Aerix’s reaction. “Were the two of you intimate before Zoey was turned?”
Laughter bubbles out of me so quickly that I snort from it. Because this place might have medieval vibes, but it certainly doesn’t have medieval morals.
“January twenty-fifth,” Aerix says softly.
“What?” I ask.
“That was the first night we were intimate.” His eyes are barely focused, as if he’s living out that night in the past instead of being here with me right now while a doctor is telling me I’m pregnantwith a vampire/human/impossible demon baby.
“Wow,” I say. “You have an excellent memory.”
He gives me a soft, somewhat sad smile. “Would you expect anything else?”
