This was not a question that could wait. He took a step into the room, his large presence causing all but Finch and Crissa to look his way. The servants’ eyes did not stay on him, but his wife’s eyes did and he waved her over to him.

He took her hand and led her to their bedchamber and once the door closed, he didn’t hesitate to ask, “Are you with child?”

Chapter 27

Elysia’s heart thumped wildly in her chest. This was the moment she was dreading and yet anticipating with happiness as well. This was why she probably waited to tell him, hoping he would realize it himself and ask, freeing her from the burden of delivering the startling news.

She lifted her chin and pressed her hand to her stomach, the slight roundness there giving her courage. “Aye, I carry your bairn.”

Her words slammed into him like a punch to his gut while his heart swelled with an unexpected joy. A joy he had no right to feel. Dread was what he should be feeling, a horrifying dread of the curse claiming his wife and child.

Her husband’s shocked silence gave her a chance to explain. “I took the wrong mixture. I thought I knew the one Bliss gave to women, but I was wrong. Once I discovered my mistake, I didn’t dare take the correct brew. If I had, I could have killed our bairn and that I refused to do curse or not.” She patted her stomach. “This bairn—our bairn—has a right to live. A right to battle the curse with as much strength and courage as his da has done. Besides, I still hold out hope that my tenacious sister will find a way to end the darkness of the curse that has plagued so many.”

Odran’s arm whipped out to snag his wife around the waist and pull her against him. His other arm joined in circling her waist to hold her tight as if somehow his embrace alone could keep her and their bairn safe. He’d do anything, anything he had to, to keep them both from harm.

“I feel joy and dread at the same time,” he admitted.

Elysia glanced up at him with a smile. “You are joyful, not angry with me?”

“You are honest to a fault, wife. You would never lie to me about such a thing. And if I were honest, I would admit how thrilled I am and fearful as well that you carry my bairn. I don’t want to lose you or the bairn to the curse or to those who intend to see the MacBridan legacy die with me.”

“There is one thing, though,” Elysia said firmly as if there would be no debate about it. “Bliss must be here to deliver our bairn. With her delivering our bairn, all will go well,” Elysia said.

Her stubborn confidence in Bliss gave Odran hope that she just might be right.

“I will make certain Bliss is here to deliver our bairn,” Odran said, confident himself that Rannick would not object and might even be grateful for the request. His only fear was that Bliss could fall to the curse before Elysia’s time came to give birth. He would not voice that to his wife and give her more reason to worry. Though, she was wise enough to be aware of the possibility.

Elysia was grateful in so many ways for her husband. She had been foolish to even worry about Odran being far different from the quiet, caring Saber. Their heart beat with the same tender compassion and strong love, and she felt blessed to be the recipient of both.

He lifted his wife in his arms and went to sit on the bed, resting her in his lap. He kissed her gently. “It would be for the best that we keep this news between us for now.”

“Lendra knows,” she said, unwilling to keep any more secrets from him. “She guessed and I didn’t deny it. I suppose I needed to share the news, the burden of not telling you weighing heavily upon me. You should know that she urged me to tell you.”

“I am grateful for her wise counseling. I wish I hadn’t made it so burdensome for you that you kept the news to yourself. It is something you should have been able to tell me without worry or fear.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Promise me you will never fear coming to me with any news, worry, burden. We are one, you and me, and we share everything together.”

“Does that mean you will share the birth of our bairn?” she asked with a teasing smile.

Odran cringed. “If I could, I would. I hate thinking of you suffering such pain.”

“You are a thoughtful husband and I am grateful, and knowing how much you love me will help me brave the birth of our bairn.”

Tags: Donna Fletcher Highland Intrigue Trilogy Erotic
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