“I know, but I need reassurance that if something happens outside of the tower, you have our best doctor with you. Eliran can’t be in two places at once. Olivia is overdue, and Ciara can have her babe any day now. I didn’t know what to do, and it terrified me. There was no one inside that room that had any idea how to deliver a child.”
“Fine,” he stated.
“I was terrified that I would kill the babes or Icelyn. Why are you arguing this? Wait, did you just agree with me?” I paused, studying his face.
“I did,” Ryder chuckled with a shrug. “You shouldn’t be forced into that situation. I know it frightened you because I sensed it here,” he said, pointing at his heart. “Faery felt it and trembled. Your emotions are tied to the world now. When I fuck you, it is magical. When you cry, it rains. When you’re afraid, the entire world holds its breath until you release that fear, and then it breathes again with you. I’d hate to know what happens when you are angry.”
I laughed nervously and rolled my eyes. “I’d probably burn down the forest, or worse.”
“Mmm, you set fire to my soul, woman. I don’t like outsiders coming to our home, but I understand your concern, and I’ll allow it for you.”
“What’s the catch?” I studied him closely as I ran my hand over the muscles of his chest.
“I get that needy pussy whenever I want it. And if these new doctors betray us, I will rip their spines out through their mouths and fuck you on their corpses.”
“Mmm. Is it bad that I hope they betray us?” I asked innocently, continuing my leisurely perusal of his body as my hand dipped low to stroke his cock once before smiling at him.
“Naughty little thing, aren’t you?” he countered. “I have it on good authority that the entire horde trembles at the mention of your name.”
“Good, it was my intention when I ripped their self-appointed leaders’ throats out,” I said, gripping his cock in my hand, beginning to stroke him slowly. “You taught me that you control the horde by fear, so let them fear me. The first moment you were gone, your people planned to replace you. They wanted to rape me on your throne.” My grip tightened as my hand began to move faster. “I showed them that it could not be done. No one fucks me except my king, and Ryder, you are my fucking Fairy King.”
“I’m glad you understand that,” he whispered huskily. “Now, ride my cock, Queen of the Horde. I find I cannot get enough of you lately, especially when you glow while I fuck you, my delicate, dainty little damsel.”
“I’ve got your delicate right here, Fairy.” Squeezing his cock for emphasis, I licked the tip and sat up. Removing my nightgown, I tossed it aside as he leaned back against the bed, crossing his arms behind his head. “And for the record, I don’t glow when you fuck me.”
“You do, and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world, Synthia.”
Chapter Four
Ristan walked up and down the main hall continuously. He was on edge, and I couldn’t figure out how to ease the turbulence within him. Olivia wasn’t just overdue; she was two months past her due date. By human standards, she was in her eleventh month of pregnancy. Nothing we did could lessen her pain or stopped the soon-to-be new father from making sure everyone knew his child wasn’t coming out.
To say it frustrated Ristan would be the understatement of the century. The man paced endlessly day-in and day-out, and if you interrupted him, you got to hear his opinion of Olivia’s selfish womb, preventing that little dangle baby from escaping.
“This is insane, right? It makes little sense. Demons birth their children similar to the fae, and yet she isn’t even having contractions. She’s craving hearts, gulping them down like some fucking delicacy, and she hasn’t given birth to my daughter yet.”
“Who says it is a girl?” I asked, crossing my arms and eyeing him curiously.
“I do,” he countered, stopping mid-pace, staring at me like I’d grown a second head with my question. “I want a daughter; therefore, I am having one.”
“Oh, is that how it works? I assumed you created a babe, and whatever the gods gifted would be born.” Turning, I smiled and faced Ryder. “I’d like to order another daughter. Please tell your sperm that unless it’s female in gender, it ain’t getting into my womb.”
Ristan stared at me before slowly turning his silver gaze to Ryder, snorting loudly. “I want a girl,” he shrugged his broad shoulders. “I will love my child no matter what it is, understandably, but I’d prefer a daughter.”
“You mean if the child has a penis, you’ll still take him?” I questioned, smoothing the smile behind my hand. Both sets of eyes turned to stare at me. “If it is a boy, it will have a penis.”
“Obviously,” Ristan harrumphed as he paced to the other side of the room, dismissing me.
“Hey, who knows how long it takes to bake a dangle? I mean, we know next to nothing about the breed or child you two created, or if it is actually overdue.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Ristan turned and his gaze bounced between Ryder to me, moving his hands animatedly as he spoke. “Have you seen Olivia lately? She’s miserable. Not to mention that we have not had sex in weeks!”
“So what’s the actual problem? That you are not getting any sex or that you’re worried about the babe being overcooked? Eliran said everything looked great, and even though he can’t see the child perfectly, he knows it is healthy.”
“Something isn’t right, I can feel it,” he said, pushing his fingers through his hair before he resumed pacing.
“Demon, we’ve asked everyone. No one knows how long it takes when an angel and a demon of your breed—mixed with fae, at that—comes together to make a person. No, I take that back,” I said, trying to ease some of Ristan’s tension. “There was that one guy who said it took nine hours on high, and to add rosemary before consuming it.” The narrowing of his eyes told me that he didn’t appreciate my joke. “That’s beside the point. It will be okay. Everything will work out as it is supposed to in the end. Eliran has his people looking into it, and Olivia’s good. She is strong, and while she might not want sex, it may induce labor. Put on your thinking cap and get those demon moves into gear.”
“It hurts her!” he snapped, and my eyes narrowed on him. “I’m sorry, Flower. It’s fucking killing me. What happens if we’re not meant to breed? What happens if our child dies?”