Page 105 of The Fae Kings' Bargain

“His challenge is cause for fear. That is true,” the healer said. “However, for your baby’s sake, you must try to remain calm. Perhaps it would be best for you to skip court functions until your pregnancy is more settled?”

Fear speared her heart. “More settled? What does that mean?”

After a brief hesitation, Vesset sighed. “The first three months are the riskiest. It is so for nearly everyone. Your Highness, if you feel the slightest hint of stress, you must summon me at once to help calm you.”

Ria found herself glancing at the princess where she stood awkwardly beside Mehl. She couldn’t have been much more than a couple of months along when she’d arrived here, not if she and Ber had married right after she found out. She’d been sent here during her absolute most vulnerable time. Gods, but Ria could kill Ber herself for such cruelty.

“Calm,” Vesset reminded her.

She took a deep breath through her nose and prayed for steadiness.

“Well, Vesset?” Toren snapped.

The healer turned and bowed. “Congratulations, Your Majesties. Your wife is expecting your first child.”

A sense of wonder rushed through Ria at those words, though the healer had already told her. Her hand slid to her flat belly. It was difficult to believe that new life grew inside her, despite having longed for that very thing. But she was almost afraid to look at the kings. What would they feel now that their initial goal was complete? The feelings she received through their link seemed almost…numb?

“Ria,” Mehl whispered, the awe in his voice drawing her attention despite her fear. Shock and pleasure lit his face, and the knot of tension inside of her eased.

But then she looked at Toren.

His skin had gone a worrisome shade of white, and his pupils had practically swallowed any color in his eyes. “It seems you were right, Ryssa,” he said, almost too softly to hear.

Then he stumbled over to the nearest seat and sank down into it like a man facing his imminent demise. Her heart pounded with renewed fear, and a tiny, worried cry slipped from between her lips. This wasn’t good.

Not good at all.

* * *

How often hadToren prayed for this very thing? An heir. A guarantee that his kingdom would remain safe from his brother’s darkness. But that had been before. When the mother could have been anyone. Even the child itself had been a concept more than a potential person. A means to an end.

But this was their child withRia, not just anyone. The love that rushed through him now was terrifying in its intensity. He’d never fathomed its depths, yet he couldn’t seem to share it. Instead, he had himself shielded close. He didn’t dare risk overwhelming Ria with this.

Ah, what would their child be like? Would they look like him or favor Ria? Share the burden of his useless power or have her transmutation magic? Oh, gods, what if the same darkness Ber had inherited…? No, no he would not allow it. He wouldn’t even think it.

A hand settled on his shoulder, and soothing calm filled him.“Tor? What is it?”

“The weight of this…”Toren dropped his head into his hands and did his best to breathe.“I never expected to feel this much. Really, this was hardly unplanned. But how will we protect Ria and our child? Another person, Mehl. I would die for them, and we’ve only just found out.”

Mehl’s fingers tapped restlessly against his shoulder.“Well, you might want to share some of that sentiment with Ria. She looks like she’s about to cry, considering your reaction.”

Toren straightened so quickly that his husband had to jerk back to avoid a collision. But he couldn’t gather enough words for an apology. His focus was locked on the tear that slipped from the corner of Ria’s eye and the way that she gripped her hands together tightly over her stomach. She wouldn’t even look at him. Unlike the healer, who glared at him as though he wasn’t High King but rather a criminal in need of punishment.

Toren couldn’t find fault in that reaction, not after seeing the shattered look on Ria’s face. Hastily, he hurried over to kneel beside the sofa. “Forgive me, Ria. I was overcome.”

She sniffled. “If you have regrets, it’s a little late—”

“No!” he exclaimed, a little sharper than he’d meant to. At her startled glance, he made sure to soften his tone. “No, love, I do not have regrets. I am pleased beyond measure. It was merely a shock.”

Her brow lifted, and he sighed with relief at the hint of spirit returning to her demeanor. “Toren. We’ve spent most of our free time…” Her gaze flicked to Ryssa and then Vesset, and her cheeks went pink. “Well, I can’t imagine how you’re surprised. In fact, we have an entire contract over it.”

“It seems concept and reality are two different things,” he muttered. But he dropped a kiss on her lips before she assumed he’d spoken coldly. “I mean that in the best possible way. It’s scary to be responsible for another life, and I suppose I never fully realized it until now.”

Another tip of Ria’s brow. “You’re responsible for an entire kingdom full of lives.”

“Not every moment and certainly not alone.” Toren shuddered at the very thought. “Even so, I may care deeply for my people, but they aren’t my heart. You, Mehl, our child…I fear my ability to keep you safe will not be sufficient, especially with my brother near.”

Mehl’s leg brushed his side as he eased closer. “Between the three of us, we’ll manage, Tor. We’ll work together to ensure our family is strong.”

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