Page 63 of Boundless
The Istariin men were silent, sharing a look, but said nothing. Len would no doubt tell her everything, but that was the right of the father—it wasn't done to have the guides share the vision's details, even with the mother.
"So, Uncle Ravs," she asked slyly, her eyes still on Len's sweet face, "How's Fenris? Does he keep in touch?"
Her uncle snorted, his fingers stilling on his weaving. "He's well enough. It's not like that, you know. We're just...friends."
Now she did look at him, lifting a brow in skepticism. But her father's hand on her knee, squeezing, stopped her wry comment. "Leave it, nugget," he murmured, his voice firm for all its softness, and she sighed, letting it be.
"You lot are no fun," she grumbled, playing with Len's hair some more. But she could appreciate that things between her uncle and her saboteur-turned-guard might be too complicated to discuss. "We're hoping to get him back before the birth," she mused, "Len figures that if he hasn't been able to sniff anything out by then then it'll be worth it to shore up our defenses by having him with us."
Len snorted and jerked, his eyes peeling open and seeking her out. "Dae," he croaked, smiling up at her. He freed an arm from underneath his head, reaching for her. "What are you doing here, love?"
She captured his hand and tangled their fingers together, switching to Common. "I was restless, thought I'd check in on you." She just managed to lean forward enough to kiss his knuckles over her swollen belly. "It's nearly dinnertime, sweetling. Are you hungry?"
Len nodded, sitting up with Kevothaen's help, and gulping down the water Ravost handed him. "I-I think I am. But I might not be up for the m-mess tent." They all stood, Daega and Len needing help to manage it, then made their way to grab some food. The two of them didn't say much, content to let the silence sit, but walked close together, their hands tightly linked.
The two Istariin men carried most of the conversation, both Len and Daega too tired to contribute much, but it was a warm meal anyway, reminding Daega of so many that she'd had with her family growing up. Len had told her often that he loved sharing meals with her family and the other members of the horde that he'd grown close with, like Granny and Gero, because of that warmth. But too much at once was still overwhelming him, and on those days they'd just take their food back to their tent, like today.
Once dinner was finished, Kevothaen and Ravost excused themselves, taking the dirty dishes and giving each of the expectant parents a peck on the cheek and a promise to check in tomorrow to see how Len was faring.
As soon as they were alone, Len turned to her with a broad grin splitting his sweet face, taking both her hands and vibrating with excitement.
"It was a good v-vision, Dae!" he said, his voice climbing several octaves. "It was odd, but I got a g-good feeling from it." He bit his pink lip, suddenly shy despite everything they'd shared. "Do you want to hear about it?"
She scoffed, tugging him closer for a kiss. "Of course I do, you great daft beautiful thing. Did you really think I wouldn't?" She softened her tone, nuzzling his cheek. "I always want to hear everything about what you've been up to, love."
When she pulled away his face was pink and his eyes were glassy, but he was smiling at her warmly. "Sorry, I-I forget sometimes. That you're not—not like them."
He launched into an animated description of his vision, and to her shock Daega felt a wave of familiarity slam into her as he went on. It must have shown on her face, as Len trailed off, his smile fading and his hands coming up to cup her face tenderly. "Are you alright, Dae? Wh-what's wrong?"
She shook her head slowly, trying to force her brow smooth. "It's just...I had a dream. When I took a nap earlier, and it was your vision, I think."
Len blinked, clearly surprised. "Is that—is that supposed to happen? D-do the mothers usually...?"
She shook her head. "No. Is it possible you sent it to me?" She waved her hand vaguely. "With your…elf magic or something?"
Len chuckled, dropping her hands so he could stand and get behind her to braid her hair for her in preparation for bed; almost on cue she let out a jaw-cracking yawn, the time far later than she'd realized. "M-maybe," he allowed as his long graceful fingers carded through her thick black strands. "But i-it's not something I've ever done before." She sighed, leaning back into his touch and wanting to purr like a cat.
"First time for everything," she murmured, closing her eyes and moaning as he massaged her scalp, his blunt nails creating such delicious friction. "Vitrin's mercy, that feels good."
He kissed the top of her head, between her horns. "It's not too much s-scratching?"
"Not at all, it's perfect. Just like everything else you do, you sweet man."
"I'm n-not perfect. But I appreciate that—that you think so."
She leaned her head back to try and look at him. "Are you giving me sass? My husband is aliteralmiracle and I'll not let anyone besmirch his blessed name.Sir."
He laughed, ducking under a horn to kiss her awkwardly. "And if Iamsassing you?"
She grinned, her eyes hooded. "If my pet's being naughty then I'll have to—" A furious kick from her unborn son cut her off, forcing her to her hooves to duck behind the privacy screen she'd demanded for their chamber pot. "Fuck, he got me right in my damned bladder," she squealed, shuffling over to the pot with her thighs squeezed together.
Len loosed a noise of distress. "Do you n-need help, sweetheart?"
She squatted, relieving herself with a grunt and a sigh.Some seductress I am,she thought morosely, earning her another twinging kick from her bairn, this time to her spine, by the feel of it. "No, I'm alright. I hope you weren't expecting a small army of children though, because I don't know how many times I'll be able to stand this." She cleaned herself up and tried to stand, groaning when she realized she couldn't manage. Why was it suddenly so much harder to doeverything? She'd been able to squat with 250 pounds on her back just a couple of months ago, and now she couldn't get upright on her own after a piss.
Her eyes burned with tears that fell when she had to endure another kick, her body still incapable of obeying her commands. "Can you help me up?" she sobbed, hating herself in that moment.
Len popped over to her side in the next moment, concern written on his delicate features. He grabbed her arms behind the elbows, letting her catch her balance enough to get upright. He led her to the bed, helping her onto her side and arranging pillows under her belly and between her legs to help her get comfortable.
