Legend of the Touched (22 page)

His eyes moved from the floor to her, and they
widened a little with surprise. "You want to do that? For
real?"

"He's going to need a place to sleep."

"I know, but I didn't think you'd be interested in
it. You're not exactly tickled about motherhood, and haven't shown
a lot of interest yet. I'm just a little surprised," he said
quietly.

Tai let out a soft sigh, and grabbed his hands to
squeeze them. "It's still not what I would prefer, but it's growing
on me. I'm glad we're bonding, him and I, because it makes me want
to meet him. I don't think I'm going to be a good mother, but I can
at least try my best right? And I know that it would make you
happy. You hate being unproductive these days. It kills me to see
you feel so guilty for resting and relaxing. I thought maybe a
project would help you relax, but relieve some of that."

He chuckled and shook his head. "You've got me down
to a T."

"I've been paying attention even if you think I don't
notice."

Darien spun in a circle, taking in all of the room.
"This would be better for an office because it wouldn't be as
distracting for me."

"It's smaller, but if that's what you'd like."

"It's also further away from the bedroom. I'd like to
keep Ethan close."

She nodded, and tugged on his hand so he could sit on
the floor with her. "I can decorate it however you want. I know you
don't have the time to do it all yourself. A project would be good
for me too. Nesting. I read somewhere that was a normal part of
pregnancy."

"Ashley cleaned the whole house during hers," he
said. "I didn't do my own laundry for three months. She insisted.
The only time she was ever nice to me actually."

How sad.
Tai frowned briefly before putting
another smile on her face. "And most importantly, it's something we
can do together sometimes too. You won't have to feel bad for lying
around, and maybe it'll stop you from feeling so restless at night.
Burn some energy."

Too bad we can't in other ways.
He gave her a
weak smile. She wanted to point out that he wasn't the only one who
was frustrated. But she was also so tired. "You're a genius. Did
you know that?"

Tai took the compliment, smiling and letting him kiss
her cheek.
Not a genius, desperate.
Hopefully things would
get easier.

Chapter Fifty

The Inero

Gwen squeezed the life out of Jason's hand as they
walked to the grand Inero Castle. He regretted telling his father
that they would stay inside for their visit home. Not only did he
not know how long this visit would last, but he was once more
reminded of just how much he hated the castle. They should have
gone back to their house even if it was now empty of most of their
things. Hopefully they would only be there for a few weeks, and
then they could go back to the island.

As usual, upon entering the castle, they were greeted
by the bustle of everyone who lived inside. There was hardly ever a
time when something wasn't happening within the walls. Someone was
always awake, someone was always moving, and so getting in
unnoticed was hard to do especially for him.

"Jason, you've returned!" One of his many
half-brothers waved.

A stepmother gave him a hug, "I've missed you. Stop
by? We can catch up?"

And it continued like this all the way to their
suite. It used to be his old bedroom. True to his word, Lynx had
kept it for him just as he remembered leaving it. Gwen shook as she
stepped inside and she closed her eyes.

"I hate it here," she whispered.

"I know," he said. "I promised my brother I would be
here for when Kat delivered the egg. Once that's done, we can go
until it's time for hatching. This is my nephew...er...niece. I'm
not sure what it's going to be, and that's another reason we need
to be here. Don't worry, I won't force you to go to the pool. For
all I care, you can stay holed up in here or the library, wherever
you're comfortable."

She nodded and sat on the bed then laughed, which was
the last thing he expected her to do. "This is a familiar
scene."

He raised an eyebrow, confused, and then shook his
head once the realization hit him. "This is where we first spoke.
At least this time, we're coming for more pleasant reasons?"

"Meeting you was a pleasant experience, and a good
enough reason for me."

"You weren't too happy that night, if I remember
correctly."

"No, but it's turned out to be a blessing in
disguise. It
is
one of the best things that ever happened to
me." She smiled and lay down on the bed, stretching out. "For the
time being I will resume my wifely duties of doing absolutely
nothing besides looking beautiful, and you can attend to your
brother."

Jason walked over and kissed her lips, slowly. "I'll
try not to be long."

Chapter Fifty-One

The Inero

If Matt wasn't in his room, he was usually busy
visiting Father. Not where Jason was hoping to see his brother for
the first time again in over two months. He wasn't ready to see
Lynx yet. He didn't know what to say or how to pretend everything
was fine. And he was a horrible liar. Anyone who knew him would be
able to see right through him and know something was wrong. Which
is why it was a good thing when he happened to run into his brother
in the hallway.

For a moment, all Matt did was stare at him, as if he
didn't believe Jason was really there. Then the two hugged which
was not an affection Jason was expecting, least of all in the
castle where everyone could see.

"Miss me?" Jason said with a quiet laugh.

"I'm glad you're here. Yes."

"You say that like you didn't think I'd actually
come. It is the beginning of the week, right?"

"I know. I didn't forget." His brother pulled away
and went back to the usual emotionless stone face he wore for the
world to see. Jason got the feeling there was something more Matt
wanted to say, but for whatever reason he was holding back. Was it
because they were in public? Or was something else happening that
he didn't know about?

Jason waved for his brother to start walking again.
"If you have somewhere to be, don't let me keep you. I just wanted
to make sure you knew I was here."

"I'm actually on my way out of a meeting, so it's
good timing. I have some time before I should go and check on Kat.
She's so close to being due, and I don't think she'll realize she's
in labor right away. Just in case. You know?"

"I do," Jason said with a nod.

Matt gave his brother a side-glance. "Things are
still complicated? Although you do smell a little different. Half
of the man musk, and half of your normal smell." He let out a quiet
sigh, and Jason couldn't help but wonder if it was one of
relief.

"Yes, it's a process. I know what I need to do."
Evict my unwanted guest.
After what happened the other night
with Gwen, he saw just how dangerous this demon could be. It had
been hard to push back, to fight. His stomach turned in sickening
knots at the idea of hurting Gwen. That would not be happening.
He'd die first.

"Good," Matt said. "I've been trying to explain that
to Father. He's been asking about you, and about how things are
going. He thought it strange that you still haven't been with her
even though that was why you had left."

"It is strange, I guess."

"Why didn't you come home sooner?"

"I told you before, she likes it up there. It makes
her happy. She's not a city girl. And okay, part of me was
embarrassed too." Which was part of the truth at first. He didn't
want to come home without consummating. "We still have six months
according to the marriage laws. And with how we feel about each
other, I'm sure I could petition for an extension too. I won't let
anyone take her away from me. I know Father understands how love
works. He's been in love. He knows what it's like to do anything
for a woman. You do too."

"Yes. Be careful."

"Why do I need to be careful?" He raised an
eyebrow.

Matt shook his head and put his arm around Jason.
"Just make sure you stay for a while? For my sanity? I know she
likes it out there, but a few months. Until hatch day even. It
would make things right with Father."

Like I care about that?
Jason had to fight the
urge to roll his eyes, and he made sure his brother did not get
that thought. "I didn't realize things weren't right with him."

"Like I said, he doesn't understand. You two should
talk. He'd like that. It'd reassure him. You know how he is
sometimes. He gets passionate about his plans, and he needs to be
reminded who is on his side." If Jason didn't know better, he was
positive Matt was giving him a pointed look. Another side-glance,
but this time the two locked eyes when he did it. Then he
continued, "Please think about it."

Jason forced a smile on his face. "Of course I'll see
him and talk with him. I'm honored he wants to spend time with me.
I know that he doesn't have much of it." It was the first time he
was able to tell a lie to his brother and have it come out sounding
believable. The jitters he usually felt inside of his stomach were
gone, and Matt was giving him a genuine smile. Not rolling his
eyes, or lecturing him about how he shouldn't be sarcastic when it
came to their father.

"I'll make sure he gets the message. Come with me,
and tell me more about the island. What makes it so magical?"

Jason gave a small smirk which wasn't what he wanted
to do. The demon was rising again. The demon was the one who had
lied for him.

You're welcome.

Chapter Fifty-Two

The Oceina

Classes were proving to once again be a great
distraction from life for Tai. Ever since Darien told her about the
Inero's plans to attack, she'd been on edge. Once again, he was
pulled away from her often. About the only thing keeping them
excited was the dance coming up that weekend. After that was three
more days of classes, and then there would be a nice break from
school.

Only two more classes to get through, and then I
can go home.
She was feeling exhausted already. Her next class
was physical education, and for once she was actually looking
forward to it. All for the simple reason of it being the swimming
unit. If one thing perked her up and had her feeling better, it was
water. The idea of getting into a bathing suit didn't appeal much
to her though. Almost all of the other girls in class put on cute
bikinis and two pieces. Tai had a tankini, and she made sure it
covered her well. Even then, she felt like a blimp with her wider
hips and bigger thighs. Probably only she noticed it, but the fact
that she did was more than enough to make her self-conscious.. At
least Alex wasn't in the class with her. That would have made it a
nightmare.

After feeling awkward and uncomfortable in front of
everyone for about ten minutes while their teacher went through
roll, the class was finally allowed into the pool. Slowly she got
in, and savored the feeling of the water on her skin. Instantly,
she filled with energy. She totally submerged herself, smiling as
she did so. Everything was perfect. For about five minutes.

The pain started in her stomach like a bad cramp, and
then the nausea followed soon after.

Out. Get out,
Ethan cried in her mind. She'd
heard him upset and disgruntled before, but never like this. There
was a different kind of urgency in his tone, almost as if he were
in some kind of pain.

Her arms shaking, she was barely able to haul herself
out of the pool. She ignored all of the stares her classmates gave
her and didn't even bother to get her towel. Tai needed to get out
of there, and fast. Determined to stay strong in front of her
peers, she rushed along the side of the pool as fast as she could
with a hand over her stomach to keep herself from keeling over in
pain. As soon as she was through the door to the girls' locker
room, she found the nearest garbage can and vomited so violently
she started to dry heave.

Darien I need you.
Would he hear her though?
She was wet. Water almost always blocked their connection. She
tried to push her psychic voice louder.
Help me.
She prayed
he heard. Something was wrong.

Tai?
His voice crackled into her mind.

I'm in the gym locker room. It hurts. I don't know
what's wrong.
She bit down on her lip to stop herself from
crying. It was important for her to stay together. Breaking down
would be giving up. Ethan was still freaking out.
What do I
do?

Water, good water.

I was just in the water, and you got upset.
She scowled.

Good water.

Taking in a deep breath, Tai made her way to the
shower and turned it on. The nausea was coming back with a strong
force, and so were the cramps. The pain caused her to buckle and
her head went dizzy. She didn't care that the water was freezing,
the second it touched her skin, her head cleared of pain and the
tightening in her stomach lessened.

Darien fritzed in and out of her head.
Coming...there soon...in hallway.

Did that mean she was supposed to meet him in the
hallway, or that's where he currently was? It might not be a good
idea for him to collect her in the girls' locker room. Her strength
was returning to her, if only a small amount.

I can do this.
She mentally chanted over and
over again. Pulling herself to her feet she crossed the tiled floor
to the door. With a great deal of effort, she was able to get the
door to the locker room open. Darien was a few feet away and
closing in fast, barreling through the hallway towards her. Which
was a good thing because he was able to catch her when she
collapsed again.