Exton

"Soon?"

He stops toweling his hair. blinking as the towel drops from his fingers. Cassie is staring at him, hair a tangled mess, water drops glistening on his nude body. Two strides is all it takes to have him kneeling before her. His burr is thick as the questions tumble out.

"How soon Cassie... Contractions? Pain? Fea is waitin for us at the lake. How soon? Do we have time to get to the Lake in the human way? Fea said not to take the Shadow paths..."

Cassie starts to laugh but stops, grimacing as pain wraps around her abdomen. Her hand presses over her stomach and she rocks forward. She groans.

"Cassie..."

Her hand grips his and presses it over her stomach. The baby kicks hard and Keon grins. Cassie's muscles contract and she begins to pant.

"Now, Cassie?"

She shakes her head. "No, but soon. We need to get to the lake. Do you think Ron is downstairs? He would loan us his car."

"I'll see, Mela. Maybe I can borrow something."

Keon opens the door and steps out to find Ob and Pandora just coming down the hall. Ob steps in front of Keon as Pandora hides an amused grin.

"Blackthorn, What is so important that you rush out... like that."

The Dark Lord looks down at himself. His eyes widen and he shrugs. Ok... so he is wearing naught but the blackness of his skin. He bows to Pandora as he pulls his hair forward, letting it cover his body. He breathes deep, and forces the words to come slower.

"The bairn... Cassie is having contractions. We need to get to the lake. Mer Cronigh is waiting for us. Morgan is watching the Paths, can't use them."

Ob is quiet for a moment. His wide smile slowly splits his face. "Go get dressed, Ke. A car will be waiting and we will find a driver."

Keon bows again and slips inside. He tugs on his jeans, shrugging into a t-shirt. Cassie watches him, trying not to laugh. He pokes his head into the hall and utters a high pitched whistle. Moments later she hears him talking to someone. Keon closes the door and gathers her clothes from where he had laid them the night before.

"Let's get ye dressed Mela. Guunnar will be here in a few moments." He sees the stormclouds gathering in her eyes. "I am not tall enough to carry ye down the stairs an ye are having contractions. Just down the stairs Cassie..."

He kneels before her, drawing her hands to his lips to kiss them gently.

"Cassandra, Mela, I don't beg often, but I am beggi' ye now. For yer own sake and our bairn, let me have ye pampered just a bit. Rest yer strength for the birthin' and let Guunnar carry ye down."

Her pale blue hand rests against his dark cheek and she nods, words stolen as another contraction grips. There is a knock and Guunnar calls through the door. Keon tells him to wait and helps Cassie into her clothes. When Keon calls, Guunnar comes in and effortlessly picks up Cassie. He smiles down at her and follows Keon down the stairs.

"You vill habt Ke call me as soon as baby ist born, ja?  I vanted to take you, but dey decided somevone mit driver's license must take you. Besides, Ich habt no auto. Keon say Horse not a good idea."

Guunnar kisses her forehead, face suddenly somber. "Ke liebe dich, Cassie. He says Grendel's Mother be waiting. She will help du mit everytink. Be brave little siren. Ach here he comes. Shhhhhh...." Keon cocks a brow at Guunnar. "Ve stop talking about him now."

Keon shakes his head, helping Cassie find her feet. "He is spreading stories again, I bet." Guunnar looks innocent. "Believe only half of what he says, Cassie. He is as bad as my People..."

Jeb holds the front door open for Keon to help Cassie outside.