by Nicole René
“Yes, husband,” she said, her desire making her voice soft and husky. She had purposely responded to his order that way, knowing how her quick submissiveness affected him.
Tyronian bit out a curse and before she knew it, she was lifted off the floor and carried in the direction of their bed.
“I thought you had to go?” she teased. Her back met the bed with a muffled plop.
“Xavier can wait. Besides, I’ll be quick. My cock has been denied its home for far too long.”
A moment later, her dress was ripped off her body. His pants were pushed down his hips, and her thighs were spread apart.
As it turned out, Xavier ended up having to wait longer than expected.
***
If there was one thing that Namoriee was good at, it was lying to herself.
She lied when she told herself that the reason she didn’t announce her pregnancy to Tyronian upon his return was because she didn’t want to get his hopes up. She wanted to be absolutely sure, so she waited to see if her moon cycle would come.
Then she lied when she told herself that she didn’t announce her pregnancy when she didn’t get her cycle was because there was still a chance that the baby wouldn’t make it. After all, she had treated many women within the tribe who had sadly lost their babes in the early stages of their pregnancy. So, she waited because it was the logical and responsible thing for her to do.
That was four weeks ago.
Her body was changing...not that Tyronian complained. Just the other day he had mentioned how much heavier her breasts felt in his hands while she was riding him.
She knew that she needed to tell Tyronian about being with child.
Because it was one thing to lie to herself, but it was another thing entirely to lie to her husband.
***
Let it be known that Tyronian never claimed to be smart.
He was male after all, and in his experience, he learned that women were way smarter than his fellow penis-wielding counterparts.
But one thing he did know he could claim, without a doubt, was that he knew his wife. Since the day he met her, he made it his mission to learn everything about her. His mission only grew and evolved the day he realized that Namoriee was meant to be his wife.
He knew his wife like the back of his hand, and he was no fool.
She was hiding something from him. He just didn’t know what.
He wanted to give her time to confess before he pried it out of her with his tongue––literally.
He knew from experience that the best way to get Namoriee to confess anything was for his mouth to be on her cunt, and his tongue to teaser her slick folds until she had no choice but to spill her secrets.
His cock twitched at the thought. He was starting to regret his decision to wait now.
“Have you been listening to anything I’ve said?” Leawyn demanded, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“Of course.”
It was a total lie and she knew it.
“Yeah?” She cocked a brow. “What was I saying?”
“Okay, fine. I wasn’t listening.”
“Clearly,” she rolled her eyes. She switched Ryder out for Rhoxon and began rocking him to sleep all the while continuing to keep an eye out for Xillik as he chased the ocean waves.
He was back at the Rhoxolani village, but this time he wasn’t alone and it was a more pleasurable visit. Ever since Xavier had rebuilt the Rhoxolani village, he and his family had made a point to trade their time between the main Izayges village and the Rhox-Izayges one.
Mainly because he upset Leawyn somehow or the other. Xavier knew that visiting her old tribe made her happy and thus more likely to forgive him more easily.
Xavier and Leawyn’s relationship still didn’t make sense to him, but he learned to just give up trying to understand them. They might bring dysfunctional to another level, but they were happy. Who was he to judge?
“You’re still not listening!”
“Hmm? Sorry, I wasn’t listening. Did you say somethin—?” She punched him in the arm. “Ow!”
“I asked what had you so lost in thought?”
“You sure you asked?” He pouted, rubbing his arm. “Because it sounds more like a demand than a question.”
She glared at him.
“Namoriee has been acting weird,” he hastily answered. For such a tiny woman, Leawyn sure could be terrifying.
“How?”
“I don’t know!” He exclaimed. “She just…is.”
Leawyn’s look was bland. “Of course. That explains everything.”
He wasn’t amused. “You know, you’re kind of mean.”
“You know, you’re kind of dimwitted.”
He scowled at her. “You just proved my point,” he pointed out.
Leawyn just shrugged. “Have you talked to her?”
“I talk to her all the time,” he replied, confused. “She’s my wife.” The ‘duh’ at the end was heavily implied.
“That’s not what I meant, you imbecile!” She rolled her eyes. “I meant have you talked to her and asked her what may be bothering her?”
“Um…no?” He was completely incredulous. “Why would I do that?’
“Men!” Leawyn huffed. “You make everything more complicated than it has to be. Has it ever occurred to you and your dimwitted species that instead of trying to guess what’s wrong, you should ask us instead? So much time would be saved.”
“Well, why do we even have to ask?” he replied defensively. “Why can’t you just tell us?”
Leawyn stared at him. Then, she reached over and smacked the back of his head.
Hard.
“Ow!” he exclaimed. “What was that for? And why do you always hit me!”
“You’re a fool.” She said simply. She placed Rhoxon down beside Ryder on the blanket she laid out earlier, and stood. “Watch them,” she ordered.
He could only watch in stunned silence as she floundered off to the shore without a care in the world. He looked over at the sleeping twins.
“You better hope Xillik’s the only sibling you’ll have. I swear your mother gets meaner with each pregnancy.”
***
“I know what you’re hiding.”
The smile that was on Namoriee’s face fell once she caught the look on Leawyn’s once their eyes met.
“What do you mean?” she asked, playing innocent.
“Namoriee, you’re my friend and I love you but––you’re as dimwitted as your husband.”
“Tyronian is not dimwitted!” she defended. “He’s just…. obnoxious at times,” she finished feebly.
Leawyn threw back her head and laughed. The action stunned Namoriee momentarily because the sun seemed to make Leawyn’s hair shimmer and her skin to glow when its rays bathed her face, making her look like a sea nymph.
“You’re with child!” Leawyn hissed once her laughing fit was done.
Namoriee blanched.
“Is it that obvious?” Namoriee lamented.
Leawyn shook her head. “Only to another mother.” She regarded her curiously. “So why haven’t you told him yet?”
“I’m scared,” she admitted. “I don’t think I’m ready.”
Leawyn’s expression grew sympathetic. “We’re never ready, Namoriee,” she said, smiling softly. “But I promise you that once you hold your baby, you will be. I think you’ll be a fantastic mother. And Tyronian will be a great father.” Then she frowned and shot her a stern look.
“You need to tell him. He deserves to know.”
“I know, I just….” She swallowed against the tears that threatened to come. “I don’t know how.”
Leawyn threw an arm over Namoriee’s shoulder and pulled her against her side in a hug.
“You just do, Namoriee. You have nothing to worry about. He’ll be thrilled.”
Namoriee smiled, thinking about Tyronian’s reaction. He’s been wanting a child for a long time.
“He will be,” she agreed. Then s
he sighed. “I’m going to tell him tonight.”
“Good.”
“Momma! Look!” Xillik squealed, brandishing something he held in his hand. “Look wha I got!”
“Oh, Gods. I hope it’s not another crab. I hate those things,” Leawyn muttered before dropping her arm and going to her son.
Namoriee smiled, watching her and Xillik interact. Her hands went to her stomach, and for the first time since she found out she was pregnant, she felt a sense of peace.
***
“I need to t-tell you s-s-something.”
Tyronian couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. After his talk with Leawyn, he had decided to take her advice and ask Namoriee what was wrong with her once they finished eating.
Now it seemed that he wouldn’t need to.
He turned to look at his wife, and like always when he looked upon her beautiful face, he felt his heart skip a beat. She was so beautiful with her chocolate hair that now cascaded all the way down to her hips and bronze skin that only highlighted her uniquely green eyes. She was tiny and petite in a way that made every protective instinct within him flare up. Her body was too skinny when they first married, but now it was healthy and supple in a way that made his in a constant state of arousal.
He licked his lips, his eyes on her breasts that he swore had gotten bigger. He memorized every curve and swell of those breasts with his mouth and tongue. Her breasts were sensitive. He could make her orgasm just by sucking her peaked nipples into his mouth while his palm cupped her. Then, when she was coming down from her high he’d flip her so that she was on her hands and knees and––
“Tyronian!”
“Hmm?” He jerked to attention, somehow managing to drag his attention away from her chest to her face. She looked mildly amused.
“I need to tell you something, and it’s i-i-important,” she repeated.
He frowned. She was stuttering again. She hardly stuttered around him anymore.
Whatever it is she needed to tell him was making her extremely nervous. Concerned, he went to her.
“What is it, my sweet?” He asked, tugging her onto his lap once he sat down. Then, to his complete and utter horror, she burst into tears.
“Please don’t do that, my sweet. You know I hate it when you cry.”
“Impregnmph,” She cried, her voice muffled from both her tears and the hands she had covering her face.
His brows creased. “What?”
“I’mpregnph!”
“Namoriee, please. I can’t understand you. Hey,” he said softly, gently prying her hands away. Her red-rimmed eyes glistened like raindrops on a leaf when they met his own.
“Talk to me,” he ordered her gently, wiping one of her tears away with his thumb. “You’re worrying me.”
She took inhaled shakily, her eyes filling with renewed tears.
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
He blinked.
“What?”
“I’m with child, Tyronian,” she said slowly, watching his face anxiously. “We’re going to have a baby.”
Like the fool he was, his eyes dropped to her stomach. As if he could magically see inside of her and see the baby she’s carrying.
She’s carrying my child.
“I’m…you’re pregnant?” he breathed, awe coloring his tone. “I’m going to be a father?”
Namoriee’s smile was wobbly, but she nodded her head. “Are you mad?”
“Mad?” He blurted out, floored. “No! Why would I––I’m overjoyed!” He stood up suddenly, still holding her in his arms.
“How could I be mad? I’m gonna be a father!” he laughed. He hugged her tightly, spinning her in a circle. “This is the happiest moment of my life!”
She laughed with him, hugging his neck tightly and buried her face in his hair. It wasn’t until he felt the tears on his skin that he realized that she started to cry again.
“Namoriee?” He pulled her away to look at her. “Are you unhappy about this?”
Gods, he hoped not. He didn’t know what he would do if she didn’t want to keep the baby. She was a healer. He knew she knew how to terminate it, but he’d be dammed if he’d let her should she desire that.
Even if he had to lock her away until she gave birth.
“No,” she sniffled, seeming embarrassed. “I’m happy, I’m just…” her face crumbled as she choked out, “I’m just so scared.”
“Namoriee, listen to me,” he said firmly once he placed her down on their bed and went to his knees in front of her. “You have the right to be scared, my sweet. But you needn’t be. I love you with all my heart, and I’ll love our child with the same intensity. You’re going to be a great mother.”
She coughed out a sob at his words, but he continued.
“I know you still struggle with feeling worthless, but you need to know that nothing in this life is worth more to me than you. You are strong, and caring, and our child will be the luckiest in the land to be able to call you mother, you hear me?” There was absolute conviction in his tone when he said, “I’m going to be with you every step of the way.”
She was crying when she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. She blubbered that she loved him, and he returned the sentiment even as he held her just as tightly as she held him. Her hair catching the tears of happiness that leaked out of his eyes.
5 months and one week later.
He lied.
Everything was not fine.
“Tyronian, will you sit down already?” Xavier grouched. “You’re wearing a dent in the dirt.”
Tyronian shot him a dirty look, completely ignoring him by continuing to pace. It wasn’t lost on him that he told his cousin almost the exact same thing when his twins were born almost a year ago.
“What’s taking so long?” he growled, shooting a look at the closed door of the hut that his wife was in. Since Namoriee was the only healer in the Izayges village, they had Yoro’s wife come down from the Asori tribe to deliver their baby. Asori had the best healers in all the land, and Tyronian wanted nothing but the best for when Namoriee went into labor.
“You know these things take time,” Xavier sighed, rearranging Ryder in his arms. “You need to be patient.”
If Tyronian wasn’t out of his mind with worry, he’d have found the sight of his formidable cousin hilarious. Xavier was large in every way and had a wild look to him. He was a fierce warrior and was known for his sourly disposition. Yet, here he sat, his sons cradled in each massive arm, while his eldest slept beside him, using his right thigh as his pillow.
A muffled scream floated out to them from behind the closed door, causing a spike of pain and anxiety to hit his chest.
“I need to be there,” he muttered frantically, taking a hurried step towards the door. “She needs me.”
“Sit down,” Tristan growled, preventing him from barging in with a hand on his shoulder.
“You know you can’t.”
He growled in frustration, shrugging out of Tristan’s hold. He stilled when Namoriee cried out again.
“That’s it!” He shouted, and before Tristan had the chance to stop him again, he bulldozed his way inside.
“Namoriee––” he drew to an abrupt stop.
“Tyronian!” Leawyn snapped. “What are you doing in here? You know you’re not supposed to be in here!”
But he wasn’t listening, because all he could see was what was in front of him. He’s been to war. He’s killed many men in many different ways. His eyes were no stranger to seeing horrible things. But nothing could have prepared him for this.
His wife’s legs were held up by both Leawyn and someone he didn’t know the name of. Well, now her leg was being held up by Kanea, Yoro’s daughter since Leawyn left to meet him.
Blood.
Goop.
His wife’s beautiful cunt was no longer beautiful at all to him because there was blood and slime, and there was a head sticking half way out of it.
“Tyronia
n?” Leawyn frowned. He blinked slowly, turning to look at her. Her eyes widened in alarm. Maybe because she knew that everything was starting to spin?
“Tyronian!” She reached for him, but it was too late.
He collapsed to the ground with a loud thump.
***
“Tyronian.”
“Tyronian, wake up.”
“I’m never letting him live this down.”
“That’s not helping, Tristan.”
“Don’t act like you aren’t going to do the same, Leawyn.”
“He’s waking up.”
“Tyronian?”
He groaned, trying to move away from whatever was touching his face.
Slowly, his eyes peeled open. He had a moment of confusion on why Leawyn’s face was floating above him. It made no sense since she was short and he was tall, until his surroundings became more clear.
“What happened?” he croaked, slowly sitting up.
“You fainted,” Tristan snickered.
“Quiet,” Leawyn scolded him. She turned back to him, her eyes glittering with amusement. “It’s not his fault that he’s such a baby.”
“Alright, alright real funny,” he grumbled, slowly sitting up. Then Leawyn’s sentence caught up to him, the word ‘baby’ in particular.
“Namoriee!” he blurted. “How is she? Did she––” he cut off abruptly, catching eyes with his wife.
She was cradling a bundle in her arms and even though she was sweaty and exhausted, she was stunning.
“Glad you’re finally awake,” she smiled weakly. “I was worried.”
“I’m sorry,” he said hoarsely, clambering to his feet. The door closing softly snapped his attention away from her but when he looked around he saw that everyone had left so that it was only him and Namoriee and his…
Namoriee must have read the question and alarm on his face, because she rearranged the bundle in her arms so that he caught the top of baby-fine hair. Her eyes were watery and her voice was wobblily with emotion when she uttered the words that he would remember forever.
“Come meet your son.”
His legs were unsteady as they carried him over to her. His hands shook when she gently placed his baby in his hands. The moment his eyes met his sons’ face, it was instant. He loved Namoriee. She had been his reason for breathing for as long as he could remember. There was nothing as more important to him than her; no life that he would put before her own.