by ERIN BEDFORD
“What is it?” I leaned up on my elbows. “Is the baby okay?”
Trina jerked as if startled and then shook her head with a smile. “Don’t worry, your babies are fine.”
I sighed and laid back on the table before jerking up again. “Wait, what’d you say?”
Grinning like a mad woman, Trina said, “You heard me right. Babies, plural.”
My mouth fell open, and I glanced at Firestar who looked just as shocked. I turned my attention back to Trina, who seemed highly amused. “Are you sure?”
“Listen again.” She placed her hands back on my stomach, and the heartbeat sounded in my ears.
This time though, I focused on it harder. I shook my head. “I only hear one heartbeat.”
“Oh,” Trina cried and then adjusted her hands. “Your babies are so in tune with each other that it’s hard to pick one heartbeat out from the other. That’s why I didn’t catch it until now. I should be able to separate it enough for you to hear them.”
I waited and listened. The one heartbeat slowly became two … and then three. If my eyes weren’t wide before they had to look like giant baseballs now. I grabbed Firestar’s hand harder, my own heartbeat pounding in my chest.
“What is it?” Firestar asked, worry etching his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Three,” I muttered.
“What?”
I coughed and shook my head to clear it. “There’s three heartbeats, Firestar. Three!”
Firestar’s face paled, and I gripped his hand tighter. “Don’t you pass out on me.” Firestar nodded and took a deep breath.
“I’m good.” He licked his lips and swallowed, nodding again. “I’m not going to pass out.”
Reassured that I wouldn’t have to worry about Firestar collapsing on me, I turned back to Trina. “So, what does this mean?”
Clicking her tongue, Trina tucked her hands into the pockets of her pants. “I’d say that you should expect a few more surprises to come your way.”
“More surprises?” I arched a brow. “I’m not sure I can handle any more surprises.”
Trina chuckled. “I’m afraid that’s not how this works. Babies have a mind of their own, I should know. I have four.”
“Four!” I gasped.
“Believe me, triplets will be much harder for you than my four. I, at least, had time to practice with the first one before the next three came along. You’ll have them all at once.” I must have had a terrified look on my face because she patted me on the hand. “Don’t worry. Three against four?” she glanced at Firestar with a smile. “I think you can handle it.”
“Handle what?”
The three of us turned to see Raijin and Fujin pushing back the curtain of the back area. If I didn’t know any better, I’d have said Raiden and the twins were actually triplets. From their strong jawlines to the almost pitch-black color of their eyes, down to the ‘can’t be serious if their lives depended on it’ attitudes, the three sons of Lord Shen were carbon copies of each other. Even Lord Shen had the same semblance despite his age.
Most people would need the difference in hairstyles to tell the difference between them. I didn’t. Fujin might have short hair, but he also had a shorter temper and didn’t smile as often as Raijin. I didn’t need my eyes to tell the difference between Raiden and his brothers. Just the smell of him alone set my body on fire, something his twins didn’t do.
In fact, since the seer’s vision, I’d felt nothing but awkward around the twins. “You have more room in your heart,” was what she said.
I’d automatically thought the twins were who she meant, especially since they were the ones that found me, but the more time around them I spent the less likely that seemed true. And now this with the babies? Could she have been referring to them and not the men in my life? I just didn’t know. My head felt like it might implode with so many thoughts and feelings swarming around in it. I really needed a break.
“Hello?” Fujin waved a hand in front of my face, and I blinked. “Anyone in there?”
“Yeah,” I stuttered and flushed. “Sorry, just a lot on my mind.”
“I can imagine.” Raijin nodded toward my stomach. “Firestar filled us in on the news. I suppose congratulations are in order?” His long hair falling over his face as he cocked his head to the side.
“I guess so,” I answered, not quite sure how to respond. Or even how I felt about the matter. One baby was something I could handle but three? Trina thought we would be fine. I mean, it wasn’t like I was doing this alone. I had three mates to help me.
Wait a second. Three men. Three babies. It couldn’t be, could it?
I glanced at Trina my eyes wide. “You don’t think there’s one for …?” I danced my finger across the air in front of me.
“For each of your men?” Trina leveled a stare at me and shrugged. “Possibly. It’s not unheard of. And really at this point, there’s no telling what will happen. They could all be Firestar’s, or one could be his and two one of the others. I can’t tell from the equipment I have here.”
“They could on Earth,” Raijin offered up.
I looked at him in surprise. “You’re right. They could. The machines they have there are crazy. They can see everything inside of you just by doing a scan. It’s kind of like magic but … not.” I tried my best to explain to Trina and then turned back to Raijin. “How’d you know?”
Raijin scratched the back of his head with a small smile. “Well, let’s just say you’re not the only one whose parents sent them away for a while.”
Fujin chuckled and bumped his twin in the stomach with his elbow. “What Raijin’s trying to be elusive about is that our father thought it best we know both worlds if we are going to rule. That way if—”
“If the worlds ever merged, we’d be prepared,” Raijin finished, shooting a glare at his twin.
“That’s actually a really good idea.” Firestar stroked his jaw. I was happy to see his coloring had come back and that he wasn’t on the verge of passing out. There could be only one dramatic person in this group, and that belonged to the pregnant lady, damn it!
“You want to take her to Earth?” Trina asked, her brow furrowed. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea right now, not with everything going on.”
Firestar shook his head. “No, not right now. After things calm down, maybe.” He gave me a soft look. “It’d be nice to know more about our children before they are born.”
I squeezed his hand and smiled. “Of course. We’ll get a full checkout, and I’ll even show you around some of my favorite places.”
The thought of going back to Earth didn’t cause the same feeling of relief as it used to. When this all started, I’d wanted nothing but to find a portal to take me back, but the longer I spent time with Jack and Raiden, the less I felt that way. Then Firestar joined the mix, and I couldn’t imagine ever leaving without them. Any of them.
I pulled my shirt back over my belly and slid from the table. After a quick goodbye to Trina and a promise to take it easy, we headed back toward the meeting room. The twins followed behind us, not surprising since we were the only ones they knew around the North. They probably felt as out of place as the rest of us. Sans Jack of course.
“So, did they decide anything before you came to the infirmary?” I asked Firestar, leaning into him his arm wrapped around my shoulders.
“Not really.” Firestar huffed. “They’d only started discussing other options when we realized we’d sent you off alone. The way it was going, I doubt they were able to agree on the time of the next meeting let alone a course of action.”
A low growl trickled out of Firestar, tickling my side. I didn’t blame him for being frustrated. We all were. We had little men and no resources at hand to help us. The only way we were going to get what we needed to save Raiden’s kingdom was to ask for help from the other kingdoms. Though, I had a feeling the likelihood of either the South or the West helping was as likely as Lady Nariko choosing to give up on her own.
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“Can’t you ask your father?” Raijin asked what I’d been thinking. “You are the heir to the West after all.”
“As are you, Firestar.” Fujin jumped in. “You both have armies just sitting in wait. Couldn’t you send word explaining the matter and requesting their help?”
Firestar and I exchanged a look and then burst out laughing. The twins stared at us in confusion before I finally stopped long enough to take a breath.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever met my father, but he’s not exactly easy going like yours. I’d have to beg and plead, promise him my firstborn, and even then, he’d probably still say no.” Okay, so I was exaggerating, but it wasn’t that far off from the truth. My father only liked to get involved in another kingdom’s affairs when it benefited him. Which usually meant he had something to hold over them. I couldn’t think of a single thing the East had to offer the West.
“But you’re mated to our brother. Shouldn’t that obligate him to help?” Raijin tilted his head, his brow furrowed.
“The only obligation Lord Dannon has is to himself,” Raiden explained, coming up to us as we approached Lord Fafnir’s office. Jack followed close behind him, but the tribe leaders and Lord Fafnir were nowhere to be found.
“What about Lord Amun?” Raijin tried. “Won’t he want to help his son?”
The guys and I exchanged a look, and then Firestar coughed, staring down at the floor and muttered something.
“What was that?” Fujin asked, taking a step closer. “I didn’t quite make that out.”
“My father doesn’t know I’m not the only mate, okay?” Firestar growled and crossed his arms over his chest. “He thinks Maya and me are betrothed, and I’ll be the next lord of the West, combining our kingdoms together.”
“Well, that’s awkward,” Raijin smirked. “You have fun explaining that to him when you go ask for his help.”
“Wait a second, I never said I’d do that.” Firestar glowered. “Plus, the last time I was there, my men turned on me and tried to take Maya. I don’t even know if we have any men to help out.”
“Well, someone will have to give up their pride.” Jack tucked his hands into his pockets, his chest no longer bare. I wanted to hit whoever found him a new shirt. There goes my eye candy.
“Why?” Firestar snapped, suspicion in his face. “Did you actually decide on something?”
Raiden and Jack exchanged a look, then Jack sighed. “It came down to the fact that we need more men before we can do anything. And since the unaligned are as likely to help us as Lady Nariko herself, that only leaves one of you two.” He pointed a finger at Firestar and me. “So, who’s it going to be?”
4
Sweat dripped down my face as I bit my lip. I focused on my hands, trying to envision the ball of fire I’d created many times before over the last few days. My eyes squinted hard and then sighed in defeat when I didn’t even create a wisp of smoke.
“I give up.” I collapsed on the ground of the training field, my breathing hard. “I think I’ve poofed my last fireball for today.”
Firestar crossed his arms over his chest a few feet away from me, a stern expression on his face. “I don’t think so. You’ve barely started your training, and if I’m going to be appealing to my father for help, then we have to get as much training in now as we can.”
“But I need a break.” I rubbed my stomach and stared at him meaningfully. “We need a break.”
His gaze softened, and he offered me a hand, lifting me to my feet. I curled into his embrace and rested my head on his chest, the soothing beat of his heart calming my own. Since my little incident in Lord Fafnir’s office, we’d been training to make sure I didn’t accidentally set anyone else on fire. Though Firestar had been a bit more enthusiastic about the training than the others because of the decision to go visit his father.
Though Firestar had agreed to ask his father for men, I was still going to send word to my own father. That way, our chances of getting help were higher. The guys had a bet going on about who would agree to help. Firestar didn’t have much faith in either of our fathers.
“I don’t want to leave you,” Firestar said after a moment. His hand stroked my hair, and he pressed his lips to my forehead. “The new powers aside, you now have three babies to take care of.” Firestar scowled. “And it’s not like you have a lot of allies here. We never did find Jack’s ex-bitch.”
I patted his chest and chuckled at his growl. “It’ll be fine. I have Raiden and Jack. Plus, the twins are here. Besides, I think Lord Fafnir feels a bit bad about Gretchen attacking me on his watch. I don’t think he will be letting anything else happen to me.”
“He better not,” Firestar grumbled.
Sighing, I pushed away from him. “You should be more worried about any more powers appearing.” I glanced down at my baby bump. “One baby with powers from within the womb is more than enough.”
Approaching footsteps drew my attention to Jack and Raiden. They’d be dealing with the other tribe leaders while Firestar helped me train. I released Firestar and hugged Raiden, who got to me first. His fingers threaded into my hair, tilting my head to the side as he took my mouth in a passionate kiss. His tongue stroked mine, making a pleasant tingle settle between my thighs. His growl rumbled against me, and he held me tighter, probably having scented my arousal.
Jack cleared his throat next to us, forcing Raiden to release me with a cheeky grin. He slapped me on the ass before letting me go to Jack. Breathing hard and face flushed, I shyly placed my hand on Jack’s chest.
“How do I compete with that?” he asked, sarcasm dripping from his words, but I could hear the insecurity in his voice.
Standing on my tip toes, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “There’s no competition,” I murmured before pressing my lips to his. Our kiss was languid where Raiden’s had been fast and intense. Both different but both giving me a burning need to have them naked and inside of me.
“Happy?” I asked when we drew back.
Jack caressed the side of my face with a small smile. “Always.” He then glanced at my stomach and pressed a hand to the swell of it. “How are our children? Any signs of whose they are?”
To say the guys had been surprised about the announcement of a trio over a single would be an understatement. Actually, Jack had barely twitched. His only reaction had been a slight widening of his eyes, unlike Raiden, who’d been so overjoyed I’d had to get the twins to pry him off me. Now, they were determined to find out if the other two babies were theirs. Though I’d told them on more than one occasion that it didn’t really matter.
Must be a guy thing.
“They,” I started with a distraught look, “are tired and famished. And no, no signs of more powers, thankfully.” The disappointed look on Raiden and Jack’s faces were comical. “Oh, stop it. I understand your eagerness to find out, but I wouldn’t be upset if none of them showed any more gifts. The heartburn is bad enough.” I placed a hand on my chest and winced.
The hand on my palm started to cool and then, before I knew it, became freezing. Jack was the first to react. He reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling it away from my chest before I could freeze myself solid. His touch, unlike Firestar’s who had only amplified my powers, seemed to calm them.
“Well, that answers that.” Firestar snorted and then smirked at Raiden. “Guess there’s only one odd man out now.”
Raiden glowered and pouted at the same time. A weird but adorable combination. I smacked Firestar on the arm and frowned. “Don’t poke fun. It’s not nice or fair to anyone.”
“Oh, so he can make fun of me all the time, but I can’t?” Firestar argued, his fists on his hips.
“That’s different,” Raiden grumbled, still pouting. “I’m not teasing you about your virility.”
“Just that I have a small dick,” Firestar snapped, causing Raiden to grin.
Shrugging, Raiden said, “What can I say? You’re an easy target.”
“In any case,�
�� Jack interrupted with a frown, “you shouldn’t push so hard. While training is important, we don’t want you to end up hurting yourself or the baby with too much training.”
“But now that she has your power as well, isn’t that all the more reason to train?” Firestar stood up straighter, as if he could use his size to intimidate Jack into agreeing with him. The poor guy, when was he going to learn?
Jack arched an elegant brow. “And when she goes into premature labor from the stress, will you be the one telling Trina?”
Firestar blanched at Jack’s question. I giggled at his reaction. A big guy like Firestar afraid of my tiny medic? Now, that was something.
“I suppose you’re right,” Firestar finally conceded. “We have time to train and rest.” He turned and lifted me up into his arms until I was cradled like a baby.
“Where are you going?” I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck. The others just looked on with growing amusement. Traitors.
“You need rest,” Firestar smirked.
“I can still walk.” I rolled my eyes but smiled broadly.
“But” - Firestar lowered his lips to just by my ear - “the more energy you spend on that, the less you have for more enjoyable activities.”
Swallowing at his implications, a hot burning need slid through me, and my arms tightened around him. “Now?”
Firestar wagged his eyebrows up and down and then called out to the guys trailing behind us. “I’m going to get Maya tucked into bed for a nap. Don’t wait up for us.”
“Sure, you are,” Raiden called after us. “Make sure you take care of your dick. You know, it being small and all.”
A growl came from Firestar’s chest, vibrating through me, but he didn’t respond. I could hear Jack reprimanding Raiden as we made our way back into the house. I was kind of surprised how well the guys got along in general. If I had been on Earth, they would have beaten each other to death from jealousy or plain annoyance.
Mostly in Raiden’s case. He sometimes didn’t know when enough was enough. That’d get him ran over by a car just because.