Page 86 of Destined Dawn
“You didn’t trust me!”
“That was … this is … different.”
She snorts and I grab her arm and swing her around to face me.
“You are the most precious thing in my life, Miss Blackwaters. You can’t blame me for being a little cautious.”
“And he has promised to keep us safe. Safe from Christopher Kennedy.” Her face softens as she stares up at me. “You can’t blame me for being a little excited about this place. It’s so much …” she draws in a breath, “better than back home.” I manage a half smile, reluctant to pour any more scorn on her beliefs. “Stone, it’s okay to believe in people,” she whispers.
“I believe in you,” I whisper right back, and then I slide my hand into her soft hair and kiss her mouth, not caring that I’m keeping all the others waiting.
When she pulls away, I catch the eye of the young woman. She was obviously watching us, awe on her face, but now she averts her gaze. I am unable to penetrate her thoughts either, although I sense an unease about them. Is that because she’s in the company of people she would consider enemies? Or is there another reason?
I slide my hand down Rhi’s arm, making her shiver slightly under my touch, and grasp her hand in mine. Despite all my suspicions and wariness, a contentment floats through my blood, one I’ve only ever felt when I’m with her. The entire world could be burning to ashes around us, and as long as I’m with her, as long as I’m with her and she’s safe and happy, then I wouldn’t give a shit.
I smile to myself as we continue our walk along the corridors, swinging our hands like we’re two school kids.
Fuck, this could be the world’s stupidest trap, and yet I’m so freaking happy.
And then it hits me.
Cloudpuff.
It hits me like a freight train. Now I remember what that stuff is for.
My blood runs icy cold and my heart pounds in my chest.
As soon as we’re back in our quarters, I swing her into the nearest bedroom and slam the door shut behind us, ignoring all the outraged protests from her other mates.
“Cl-cl-cloudpuff?” I stutter.
“What?” she says, paling in front of me.
“Are you … Rhi, are you … pregnant?”
“Pregnant?!” Azlan says, standing in the now open doorway.
“What?” Rhi repeats. “No! Shhh!” She marches right past the two of us and slams the door closed.
“You’re pregnant?” Azlan says again, his voice faltering. He takes a step closer, dropping down to his knees so his face hovers right in front of Rhi’s belly.
A very flat belly.
“No, no, I’m not pregnant,” Rhi hisses, attempting to drag Azlan back up onto his feet. “I mean, I don’t think I am. I hope not. I took the cloudpuff to make sure.”
“Why would you need to make sure?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest as Azlan continues to stare at Rhi’s belly.
Rhi meets my gaze head on.
“I forgot about the barrier spell. It happens.” She glares at me. “It’s actually really inconvenient, Professor Stone, to keep remembering the freaking spell each time, especially when my mates are so–”
“I agree,” I say. “As soon as … we’re not on the run, we can get you some less onerous contraception.”
“Me? What about you?” she asks, scowling like it’s entirely my fault that no one in the entire universe has thought to devise some suitable contraceptive for men.
“You know it doesn’t work like that, Miss Blackwaters.”
“What kind of contraception?”
