Exton

Cassie relaxes visibly. She feels like a huge weight has been lifted and she cant stop smiling. Keon pulls her close and she wraps her arms around his neck.

“It wont be like Alise or Pandora. Our baby will be here in two more months or less and has to be born in the water. He or she will only be a fourth nymph but still may have gills and webs like mine. I have no idea about anything else as far as what the baby will look like. My siblings are all nymph and human mixes....”

Keon nods, his hands rubbing her back. At first Cassie thinks he is deep in thought, but when she turns her head she sees the smile on his face.

Cassie continues, “I wont look like Alise or Pandora either. Nymphs carry their babies very differently and it isnt very noticeable, even towards the end. So at some point we need to go back to the houseboat. The baby cant be born here, out of water. The baby needs to be in the water for several hours after birth...”

Keon frowns a bit, his mind running to defenses. How to protect her and a baby in such a vulnerable position. We will need a few trusted guards and demifae to keep watch...Who can I trust with my woman and child? The riders, a pair of Hounds...


 Suddenly Keon laughs and kisses Cassie his hands trailing through her hair, noticing the black streak has begun to shape itself to her blue tresses. Keon moves a hand to feel Cassies belly, “You didnt answer Stars question. Is the baby moving?”

Smiling Cassie presses her hand over his and moves it a bit. They sit quietly for a minute until Keon feels a small thump. “Goddess... Mela...we are a family..” The look of wonder on Keons face brings tears to Cassies eyes.

The pair sit for some time, the morning sun warm after the coldness of the spring night, talking and laughing. If only they could be prepared for what the fates have in store for them.