*POV* Cassy Iris Alreea
Clay passed in front of my bed, his brows furrowed in deep thought. I tucked the blankets under my chin as he finally stopped.
"You don't remember anything after you guys headed into the fight?" I shrugged, I was happy to see him again but he seems different.
"I am fine, the castle doctor's have checked me." I wanted him to just sit down already. "Destiny says that Monique did something and became her form with me inside her, but I don't remember anything. I think I slept."
Monique nodded inside me. "You're welcome, when are you going to tell him about our little carry-on?" I grimaced at the name she called the baby the size of a pea inside of me.
"It's not a carry-on, it's a baby!" She shrugged and snuggled in for a nap. I didn't know when I would tell him, I was still trying to wrap my own head around the news. "How would she do that?" He was asking.
"I don't know." I think replied, talking to his mind had become like second nature now. "She is a creature of great power, who knows what she can do."
I shifted on the mattress. "Now, will you calm down and give me a blasted hug or something?"
His face reddened and he stopped, I smiled, my own cheeks heating.
I awoke with a start and looked up at the dark ceiling, climbing from the bed I lit a small flame in my hand, before taking my hand away. It floated there, lighting the room with a dim glow.
Clay was still asleep in the bed, shivering in the cold air. I quickly moved to build up the fire in the hearth.
Taking a seat on the rug I pulled the blanket beside me around my shoulders. My vision blurred as I stared intensely into the flames, my heartbeat quickened as I tried to figure out a way to break the news to him.
It was early in the morning when I woke again, uncurling from my place on the rug I got to my feet and went back to the bed.
Clay awoke as I layed down and pulled me against him. "Everything okay?" He whispered sleepily, I couldn't help but smile. "It's all good." I whispered back.
When the sun streamed through the window I woke to a maid stocking up the fire. "There is a message from her majesty on the table." She told me as I got out of the bed, Clay was still asleep.
Taking a seat I ignored the maid as she went about her business and opened the envelope, after reading it I sighed and got up to wake up Clay.
"Come on, Coral wants us to be there for the decision making." He groaned by sitting up, rubbing a hand over his face as he looked at me. "Are you sure you're okay? I know you were gone most of the night."
I shrugged. "I slept by the fire." He took my hands softly into his and looked me in the eye. "I am here for you Cassy, please trust me enough to tell me what's bothering you."
Tears welled up in my eyes and I looked at the floor. "I am pregnant." He stilled, I wasn't sure how I was going to tell him, but this hadn't been it.
"Oh," he stood, I didn't dare look at him. His hand came up to tilt my chin up and our eyes met. "Are you not happy with this?" I shook my head, emotions swirling inside of me.
"No! I do, I just.." I paused. "We aren't married yet." He frowned then pulled me into a hug. "I see, I promise we will get married after this all settles down."
I nodded pulling away from him. He gave me a smile.
An hour later Clay held my hand as we walked into the large war room, the large oval table was almost full. Spotted Mink, we moved in her direction.
"Hey guys." Mink greeted us as we took our seats. "Are you feeling better?" I nodded in reply and felt happy she cared.
"Maybe I should be seated closer to Coral?" Clay voiced as more people poured in. "She would definitely appreciate it." Mink smiled across to Clay. "She has been fretting all morning." Clay gave me a smile, I nodded and he stood.
"Did everyone arrive?" I asked Mink, she shifted slightly as my voice entered her head. "Yes, the last ones were gathered up late this morning. The total count in the camp is 8 thousand."
"I thought there was more than that?" She shrugged, eyeing the faces around us. "I think some people chickened out or something."
I frowned at her words and shifted to see Coral as she stood and began to speak.
"As you all know we have brought a new group of people over from another world in hopes to save them from monsters that live on their world. But now that they are here, we need a place for them."
The table hummed in agreement, Coral looked small standing at the front of the table. "Shouldn't we have talked about this before you brought them over?" An older nobleman asked.
Coral looked uneasy. "We probably should have, but we are now. Any ideas?" No one spoke up, Coral waited for a couple of minutes but finally spoke.
"Since no one has a better idea, I am going to sell them the east islands for a sizable amount of gold." There was a nodding of heads around the table.
I looked as surprised as everyone else as a young man, I didn't know, stood. He looked a little unhappy. "But your majesty, my family was given half of the east islands for our lands."
Coral stared at him, he gulped. "Either they go there, or they move into your backyard!" Coral banged the table. "That is final." The young man sat abruptly.
"Now, are there any other questions?" A couple of hands rose into the air, I listened as Coral answered their questions about whether these newcomers would be a danger to us. And what would Elesor think when they learned of this?
The questions were valid, Coral reassured everyone that we would take on the challenges as they came.
As the room cleared Mink sighed. "What's wrong?" I asked. She folded her arms. "I just can't stop thinking about Samuel." I hummed in agreement and stood as Clay approached.
"Coral asked me to take a carriage to get our friends, do you want to come?" I nodded, taking his hand.