The Breeding Lands (An Epic Erotic Fantasy Novel) (20 page)

Lost in thought, Violet didn’t hear the front door open and shrieked with surprise when Faolan came up behind her. “It’s just me,” he exclaimed.

“You scared me! I didn’t hear you come in.”

Faolan pulled her to him, but Violet’s big belly got in the way, and she wasn’t able to be as close to his body as she liked. Faolan seemed unbothered, and kissed her softly, holding her face between his hands. His lips calmed Violet, and she let the kiss sweep her away, the mere presence of Faolan soothing her frazzled nerves.

“How was your day?” Faolan asked, breaking away and sitting at the small table.

“It was fine,” Violet said evenly. Faolan picked up on her tone right away.

“What happened?”

Violet turned to look at him. “Juliet came over today.” Faolan waited, that news wasn’t the least bit surprising. “She told me you were with Rayfe.” Again, no response from Faolan as he patiently waited. “She told me what you were doing today.”

A brief flicker of something crossed his face, and then it was blank again. “And?” he asked.

“And, I know that there is talk of a battle. And something about an attack.” Violet couldn’t keep the anxiety from her voice, and she turned back to her pot on the stove, hoping Faolan wouldn’t see how worried she truly was.

“Vi, there is nothing to worry about,” he assured her. “The only reason I didn’t say anything was because I didn’t want to worry you.” His eyes darkened. “Leave it to Juliet’s big mouth,” he muttered under his breath.

Violet pretended she didn’t hear him. “I just wish you had told me. I want to know what is going on, and I don’t like hearing things from Juliet.” She tried not to whine. “So, if there is nothing to worry about, what were you and Rayfe doing?”

“We just needed to check everything.” Violet knew Faolan was referring to the magical strongholds.

Violet pursed her lips, the uneasy feeling still lingering. “But what if there was an attack?” she asked in a small voice.

“There won’t be. Now, show me what delicious meal you’re making,” he said lightly, but Violet didn’t miss the subtle change of subject.

She was still troubled, but she played along with Faolan, showing him the stew she was making and letting him take a taste.

Faolan smiled at his wife, and let her feed him a bite of stew. He hoped that he had distracted her from the questions of a battle, and he made a mental note to give Rayfe a piece of his mind the next time he saw him. Rayfe and Juliet had a very businesslike marriage, and for the life of him, Faolan couldn’t understand why Rayfe would have shared this detail with Juliet. He rarely shared anything with her, and this was when he decided to confide in her? Faolan was angry just thinking about it.

He had purposefully not said anything to Violet, certain that she wouldn’t hear it somewhere else. The members of the tribe had all been very careful to not speak of the possible attack and they were taking every measure possible to protect the tribe should the threats come to pass. Faolan told Violet he was going upstairs to change and he let his thoughts continue once he was by himself.

Every month or so, the three tribes communicated to share any news or vital information. While each tribe was fiercely protective of their own communities and ways, they knew they needed to work together to ensure the safety of their people, as well as to protect the humans.

The Sabre had admitted that their Intel discovered that The Dragon Lords had been getting restless. They also feared that the Draconian numbers could be growing. Faolan shuddered at the thought of men who turned into dragons. There had been peace for a long time, and Faolan couldn't imagine that changing any time soon.

Dressed in fresh clothes, he made his way back down to his wife. He stopped on the stairs watching Violet unnoticed. Even nine months pregnant, she was still beautiful, her figure still curvy and slender in all the right places. It had been days since they’d made love, and Faolan physically ached for her. But he knew how uncomfortable Violet had become and he didn't want to pressure her into something she didn’t want. He envisioned lying behind her in bed, spreading her legs apart for entry. He was aroused just thinking about it, and he decided Violet could stay comfortably on her side. Smiling to himself, Faolan decided he would attempt to try the new position tonight.

Later, spent and satiated, Violet rubbed her husband’s bicep and curled against his naked body. Faolan had made love to her at the most amazing angle, and her orgasm had been so powerful that it had brought tears to her eyes. Now, nestled in the safe and protecting arms of her husband, she felt all the worries of the day melt away. It was comforting to know that Faolan was still attracted to Violet. There was no denying his desire for her, especially after their lovemaking. Violet had never seen Faolan come so hard, and his body had continued to twitch for minutes afterward.

As Violet’s eyes began to get heavy with sleep, her mind drifted to the baby. Could the Peace Keeper be correct?

“Faolan?” she asked, her voice slurred with impending sleep.

“Mhmm?” His voice was just as mumbled as hers.

“Will you love this baby no matter what?” She could barely put two words together, she was that exhausted.

“Of course,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.

“Even—even if the baby was a girl?”

Faolan laughed quietly against her neck. “Get some sleep, Violet, you’re not making any sense.”

“No,” she protested feebly, “I’m serious.”

She felt Faolan smile against her neck. “Of course I will love the baby, no matter what. Even if the baby is a girl.”

Violet could hear the amusement in his voice, and the sweet tone of his words, as if he were talking to a small child. Violet didn’t care if he found her funny, as long as he would love their baby no matter its gender.

The next few days were uneventful, and Violet felt her belly drop, the pressure becoming very uncomfortable. Lotus told her she could go into labor at any moment.

As Violet was putting together Faolan’s lunch, she felt some cramps but ignored them. Her body was doing all sorts of things she no longer understood, and she thought nothing of her new daily aches and pains. “What’s on the agenda today?” she asked, kissing Faolan on his cheek.

“Nothing too much. Rayfe and I are going to do a perimeter check of this part of the forest. Nothing to be worried about, but it will probably take most of the day.” Violet nodded as she brushed a stray hair out of her face. “You’ll be OK, won’t you?” Faolan asked. He had been exceptionally perceptive the past two days, and had noticed the subtle changes in Violet. She was moving even more slowly than normal.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, rubbing her belly. “I think this baby is coming soon though.”

“Well, if he’s coming today, tell him to wait until I get home!” Faolan joked, kissing Violet again. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Violet said. She walked him to the door and watched him meet up with Rayfe on the bridge. Rayfe waved at Violet and she waved back. She watched the men disappear down the ladder and went back inside.

She groaned as she felt another uncomfortable cramp. She poured herself some juice and sat at the kitchen table. She didn’t have an appetite. She thought about walking over to Juliet’s, but she was so uncomfortable that she didn’t even feel like seeing her friend. She wished she had her mother around so she could ask her questions. The older women in the tribe were very helpful, but it wasn’t the same. She pushed herself up and decided a hot bath might help. It took Violet a while to prepare the hot water and when the tub was finally full, she sank in slowly.

“Ahh,” she sighed, as the warm water was displaced by her belly, and splashed against the sides. She rested her head back on the cool glass tub, and closed her eyes. She stayed in the water until it became chilly, and she took her time getting dressed afterwards. It was going to be a lazy day.

Faolan looked up at the large cliff where the crystal hung in midair. “Everything seems fine,” he remarked to Rayfe. Rayfe nodded, but didn’t respond. “What is it?” Faolan asked, squinting in the darkness to see if there was something he had missed.

“Nothing. It seems normal,” Rayfe agreed. Rayfe had been quieter than usual on their check, and Faolan wondered if he was getting nervous about becoming a father.

“Well, let’s head back. We can still make it home at a decent hour if we get going.” They had reached the furthest part of their journey, and Faolan was anxious to get home. Violet had seemed off this morning. He wanted to begin the four-hour journey home.

“Sure, sure, let’s get going. You go ahead,” Rayfe said, still staring at the crystal. Faolan shrugged and turned around, heading back in the direction in which they came. A second later he heard running footsteps and then he was suddenly face down in the grass.

“What the hell?” he cried, too stunned to react at first.

“I’m sorry,” he heard Rayfe say, his voice twisted with anguish.

Faolan rolled over and looked up at Rayfe. At first, he couldn’t understand what was happening, but then the moonlight shone on Rayfe’s hand, and the light glinted off the blade he clutched.

“Rayfe,” Faolan said slowly, seeing the demented gleam in his eyes. “Let’s talk about this.”

“I can’t,” Rayfe whispered.

“Rayfe, please. We can talk. Tell me what the problem is.” Faolan slowly pushed himself up on his elbows, and began backing away along the ground.

“Don’t move!” Rayfe barked, and Faolan froze.

“Rayfe. Think of Juliet and Violet. Don’t do this.”

“I’m sorry,” Rayfe repeated.

Faolan sprung from the ground to tackle Rayfe, but he was too late. Rayfe was faster.

* * * * *

CHAPTER TWELVE

Violet

* * * * *

Violet was picking at her dinner, looking at the plate she had made for Faolan. She still didn’t have much of an appetite, and her cramps had been getting stronger all day. She dropped her fork, moaning as another cramp came, her entire stomach tightening and then releasing. Panting, she stood up and began to pace the kitchen. She needed to face the facts. She was not experiencing cramps, these were contractions. She was in labor and she knew it. Fear gripped her, and she knew she needed to find Lotus. But she wanted Faolan home first.

“Damn it!” she cursed, gripping onto the table as another contraction hit her. “Where are you, Faolan?” she moaned, pushing a sweaty piece of hair off her face.

“Violet!” The scream was Juliet’s and it pierced the still night. Something was terribly wrong. Could Juliet be in labor too? Violet hurried to the door, wincing in pain as another contraction overwhelmed her. She pulled the door open and saw Juliet barreling towards her, her face pale with fright. Violet froze in the doorway. “What is it?”

“It’s Faolan!” she sobbed, and Violet’s knuckles whitened as she clutched the doorframe. “Rayfe is bringing him up,” Juliet choked.

“What happened? Is he OK?” But Violet knew the answer already. She could see it in her friend’s face.

“I’m sorry,” Juliet whispered. Juliet suddenly seemed very far away, and Violet had the sensation of traveling down a tunnel; she could hear a rushing in her ears. But the pain in her stomach brought her back, and she screamed as she clutched her stomach.