Then Mathias was beside me, helping me to my feet. “Come on, we need to get out of Egypt.”
“Are they dead?”
“One. Khalid isn’t though. Come on, Lauren. We’ve outstayed our welcome, and we can’t draw them back to our friend.”
Realizing he didn’t fully believe that Khalid was unaware of us, I could only nod. I didn’t ask about Royal. Even though I truly wanted to do so. If Weard had figured out where we were and that we had been helped by Royal, wouldn’t that mean he’d have to go to a different hiding place too? And, where in the world was my Myrmidon planning to take me now? Not another abandoned village I hoped. Although perhaps that would be better than taking shelter in an old tomb. Anywhere Weard wasn’t sounded like a very nice option. If that option even existed.
* * *
Chapter Five
Mathias
The smell of the sea filled my lungs as I walked the perimeter of the rooftop courtyard. I glanced across the ruins of ancient buildings and columns, then out to the Mediterranean. Carthage, once home to Hannibal the Great and subject to many purges, still lingered even with the norm capital of Tunis rising to the south.
“I should have known you would be drawn to the homeland of another Ten.”
I smiled as I turned to find Lauren watching me. She wore a loose kaftan of deep green but hadn’t fetched her head shawl yet, leaving her dark hair to tumble loose around her shoulders. As she approached, I closed the distance between us and drew her into a tight embrace. “I wouldn’t say that I chose to make a safe house here for that reason.”
She pulled back slightly in order to look up at me. “No?”
“No, you cheeky little minx,” I retorted. Keeping my arms around her, I rubbed her back lightly as I added, “It was for strategic purposes. Naturally.”
“Oh naturally.” The corner of her mouth curved up into a tantalizing smirk as she tilted her head to the side. “And, it had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that you did not get to walk properly in the footsteps of Alexander the Great while in Alexandria.”
“Right.” I grinned and then chuckled. “All right, maybe I had a little bit of fun knowing that I had a safe house situated where the greatest military strategic mind once walked. Bit of grounding for a Myrmidon such as myself. We were said to be distantly related to Hannibal after all.”
“Of course, you were, dear.” Lauren tugged on my loose shirt and then rose on her tiptoes to press a glancing kiss against my lips. “By the way, you have yet to properly apologize for lying about me to dragons.”
“It was a very small fib,” I protested. “Wait a minute. Where do you think you’re off to, hmm?”
Lauren ducked out of my embrace and then backed away, a slow grin appearing. “Away from you. Because you do not deserve me. At all.”
I clicked my tongue as I slowly stalked toward her. “True enough, I suppose. However, I do rather like you.”
She laughed. “Well, I rather like you too, Mathias. But, you still don’t deserve me.”
“Shall I worship at your feet then?” I asked, following her as she backed away in a circle. The only furniture on the rooftop courtyard consisted of stone benches and awnings that could block out the midday sun, which meant she couldn’t put much between us. “Or swear to slay all your enemies?”
Lauren shook her head. “Neither.”
“Oh. I see.” I grinned. “Then, perhaps we can make a bargain.”
She offered an answering grin. “That would depend.”
“On what?”
“Whether you can catch me.” The words no sooner left her mouth than she spun and sprinted toward the door leading inside.
I gave a shout as I pursued her. This was the sort of mischief I could get used to from Lauren.
* * *
Mathias
I wrapped my arms more securely around Lauren as she slept. Dropping a kiss against her bare shoulder, I brushed aside her hair to further expose her neck. Before I could follow through, however, I heard buzzing. I touched my forehead to the crook of Lauren’s neck before reluctantly letting her go so I could roll over. The burner Royal had given me was buzzing somewhere among my clothes on the floor. The obnoxious sound continued as I stretched to find my trousers and finally dug it out. Royal was calling.
“What is it?” I muttered as I flopped back on the bed.
“Have you seen the latest news reports?”
“I have better things to do than watch the telly. I’m a very busy married man.”
“Then you need to take a moment to watch the news,” Royal growled. “Be aware of the world beyond your quest.” There was a crackling pause and then he whispered, “I need to go. Watch your back.”
There was a click, and I turned the burner off. I would toss it when I went to fetch the evening meal. Blast the dragon for his interference. I glanced at Lauren confirming that she was still sleeping before I reluctantly found the remote for the telly stuffed in a corner of the bedroom. Turning it on, I flicked from the local news station to the worldwide paranormal news network. The announcers were speaking English as Arabic subtitles scrolled across the bottom of the screen. Both looked nervous, even the high elf who normally showed no emotions beneath his professional mask. Something had happened.
“Breaking news out of Saint Augustine, Florida, after a week of confirmed assassinations in the city known as the embassy of the West. It has been confirmed that there were a string of connected poisonings among the ambassadors including an eastern dragon, Princess Ming-Lin, a high elf whose name has not been released, and a Therian shifter whose name is also being withheld. A joint taskforce was confirmed to address these attacks, especially given the history of the North American Therian shifters’ isolation from most other paranormals as a kingdom.”
The sprite’s wings beat hard and fast as she interrupted her companion. “We’ve just received word of a live broadcast from the Chicago headquarters of Weard Enterprises. We will switch over to that now.”
The scene changed from the newsroom to the steps in front of Weard Enterprises’ main building. A woman I vaguely recognized as one of the Unseelie Fae, the faint hint of green tones to her skin pointing to her heritage being that of a Banshee, stood behind a podium. Her gaze was arresting even through the screen as she inclined her head slightly. “Good morning. As of ten minutes ago, at nine-fifty am central, Weard Enterprises has confirmed the presence of assassins in the embassy city of Saint Augustine, Florida. It is also our sorrow to confirm that two more deaths have occurred among the assembled ambassadors; however, their names have not been released to the public in order to provide opportunities for their next of kin to be contacted.”
The Banshee paused deliberately and I felt Lauren move next to me as she rolled, pulling the covers with her. Then the Banshee started speaking again, her tone differing ever so slightly and growing harsher. “While it is true that a joint task force was claimed to be assembled to investigate these deaths, Weard Enterprises was not invited to join this rumored task force. In fact, it has come to our attention that certain parties did their best to block our entry and efforts to aid in this disturbing series of events. Behavior that, we must all agree, does not bode well for certain parties’ pretense at being innocent and uninvolved in these happenings. The dragon princes do not care that one of their own fell victim to this conspiracy. Perhaps, because these princes of the west still do not extend welcome or hospitality to the kings of the east. Weard’s promises to those paranormals who see these signs of corruption, of brutality, and of carelessness includes the oath that we will not rest until we have curtailed these poorly disguised attempts at suppression and territory encroachment. We warn anyone watching of this, do not think that history and lineage alone will protect you if you mean harm to us. We will come against you, and we are more powerful than even you know.”
I turned off the telly as the scene cut back to the main studio. I didn’t want to listen to their speculation. I already knew
it was bad, and I understood exactly what Weard was saying.
“A new face,” came Lauren’s soft observation.
“Same propaganda,” I murmured. Then, I leaned back onto the mattress and pillows as Lauren moved to press against my side. I wrapped an arm around her and kissed her lightly on the lips. “It is the same message . . . only bolder.”
“It fits what Royal said about the younger dragons being deceived by Weard into acts of rebellion.” Her hand rested on my chest as she lifted her head enough to look me in the eyes. Concern filled her gaze. “Do you think they will call for open war? It’s . . . madness.”
Trailing my fingers down her bare arm, I leaned my head back against the pillow. “Our world is going mad, Lauren. If Weard cannot be forced to back down, we could face open war. And if that happened . . . It would be worse than both of the world wars combined, especially if the battles between paranormals were to spill over into the norm’s perceptions as they did in ancient times.”
“Do you regret rejecting the dragon prince’s offer?” came the quiet almost hesitant question.
Rubbing my thumb in a circle across her bicep, I shook my head. Rolling onto my right side, I made certain we were face to face. Unable to resist, I reached out to trace the soft skin of her temple. Her hair fell against my hand like a silky curtain before I pushed it back behind her ear and then traced my fingers down to her chin. “I . . . I cannot fight their war. Even when they claim to be in the right . . . I could never have peace fighting in another dragon war. I would lose myself, and I fear not even you would be able to call me back if that happened.”
She nodded. “Then, we keep Weard from gaining control of the crown. Maybe the loss will bring this rogue to his senses.”
I smiled. “Unlikely, but I admire your hope.”
Lauren laughed softly as she reached up to grab my hand. Dragging it down, she pressed a kiss to my fingers. “What do you see for us, Mathias? What’s your hope?”
“I don’t have hopes,” I intoned. “I have goals.”
Her laughter rang out clearer. She reached out to poke me in the stomach. “All right, you smug Myrmidon, what are your goals?”
Chuckling, I pulled her close. I stole a kiss before replying, “My goal is rather simple. I will help you finish this quest as quickly as can be managed. And then, my dear little Spotter, we are going to run away.”
“Oh really?” Her dark eyes sparkled as she combed her fingers through my hair. “Where are we running away to again?”
“A little island in the Pacific where we can start our family.”
Lauren squinted at me. “Are you sure about that plan? What if you grow bored with such a slow and sedate life after all your years going places and being involved?”
I tightened my grip around her. “Oh, I have a plan for that too.”
“Of course you do,” she murmured before being a most distracting being by kissing the corner of my jaw. “Are you sharing that one?”
The feel of her kisses against my neck were almost enough to distract me entirely. I swallowed hard, making the little minx giggle. “Well, I rather think having six or seven little ones running around the beach like little pirates and vagabonds would be more than enough to keep us too busy for anything so mundane as boredom.”
Lauren’s laughter filled the air, and she pushed up on her elbow as she shoved me in the shoulder. “You have lost your mind if you expect them all at once.”
I grinned. “What if they show up in smaller sets?” When she laughed harder, I smirked at her. “That wasn’t a no. Come here, you charming little vixen.”
She continued laughing until I silenced her with kisses.
* * *
Chapter Six
Lauren
I took a sip of my tea as I studied the map of the Seven Wonders. Only two left. Knossos of Crete and the Forge of Hephaestus in Mount Etna. Crete or Sicily. My stomach churned at the idea of going to either one. I grimaced as I laid a hand on my abdomen. Even the mint tea was only providing a little bit of relief for the waves of nausea, something that seemed worse when I tried to figure out a safe sane way of finishing this quest.
“Lauren? I brought lunch.”
“No fish, I hope.”
Mathias’ chuckle filled the air as he came into the main living area. He had a basket tucked under one arm, and he offered a slight smirk. “No fish, which is surprisingly difficult to eliminate from the menu in a town on the seaside, but I am a veritable miracle worker.” He glanced at me and paused before pulling out whatever was in the basket. “All right, love? You still look a bit peaky.”
“I’m . . . fine.”
He frowned slightly. “Are you certain? I can make you some ginger tea. Keep you from being sick again.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m fine. Really. I already made some mint tea.”
I glanced down at the map and then looked back at Mathias who was rummaging around in the basket again. He pulled out a bambalouni, a large donut nearly the size of my face, with a ridiculously proud grin. “Here we go. Since you’re already having some mint tea, this will be the perfect accompaniment.” He passed it to me and then gestured to the map. “If you’re trying to decide which one to conquer next, you should know that Mount Etna has been having sleeping pains.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I muttered, “Sleeping pains? What does that even mean?”
“Tremors and minor plumes of ash escaping. Not bad enough to evacuate the area. Maybe it’s old Typhon attempting to break free of his bonds.” There was a pause and then clear concern entered his voice, “Lauren? You’re looking very peaky again.” The cushion sank as he sat down next to me, and then his fingers brushed against my forehead. “Lauren, this is the third week you have not felt well. We should find a healer. If we’re careful and you play with your glamour, I can get you into a proper healer without worrying that someone will remember you from Weard’s hunting.”
I opened my eyes, taking a steadying breath. Mathias’ eyes were on me, watching me with concern in their blue green depths. Clearing my throat, I set the bambalouni on the low table along with my tea in a desperate attempt to calm my nerves. Oh, this was more of a challenge than even I had expected. I took another slow breath through my nose, and then shifted on the couch so I could better face him. “I went to a healer this morning.” As soon as his eyebrows rose, I rushed to finish. “I went to a norm, a midwife actually because it seemed . . . safer than attempting to find a healer who served the paranormal community. And, you did say last week that you hadn’t seen any of Weard’s hunters anywhere in Carthage since our first week here. So I, well, I assumed it would be . . . safer.”
“Yes, you said that,” he intoned slowly. “Did she tell you why you’ve been so prone to being sick these last few weeks?”
“Yes.” I cleared my throat again, the words squeezing together before I managed to get it out. “I’m . . . I am pregnant, Mathias.”
He did not have the reaction I was expecting at all. He stared at me for a long moment, and then his eyebrows crept closer to his hairline. His gaze swept over me. “You’re . . . pregnant,” he repeated slowly.
I nodded, heart fluttering against my ribs and stomach twisting. “Yes.”
A slow grin appeared, and then he clicked his tongue. “You are pregnant. That is . . . absolutely brilliant!” He tugged me into a tight embrace as he pressed a kiss to my lips. Then he bounced to his feet and clapped his hands together, still wearing a huge grin. “We’re going to have a baby!”
Pressing my hands against my cheeks, I could only stare at him. “Mathias, don’t you think the timing is . . . wrong?”
“Wrong?” He shook his head. “No. This is brilliant, Lauren. We are having a baby!”
Great, now I felt terrible for not having his reaction. I ran my hands through my hair struggling against the ridiculous urge to burst into tears. Now was not the appropriate time for hormones. “We are on a quest with dangerous people chasing us. This is not a good ti
me to be pregnant. You do realize this, don’t you?”
He chuckled softly. “I realize it’s a mite late for you to protest.” When I didn’t smile in return, Mathias’ grin faded to a smaller version as he dropped back down beside me and took my hands in his. He rubbed my fingers gently and ducked his head to look me in the eyes. “Here now, no tears, love. Admittedly, this announcement would have been even better if we were done saving the world as we know it and were relaxing on a nice beach with copious amounts of tea at the ready. And, a hammock. However, I’m not going to raise a fuss over you being pregnant now.”
I blew out a breath trying to steady my emotions. “What happens when Weard catches up to us again? We’ve had a difficult enough time protecting ourselves in the past and have had far too many close calls. What happens now when I am pregnant, and I’m certainly no better at combat than I was then? What are we going to do?”
Mathias’ grip on my hands tightened. “Don’t worry about such things. I will protect you. I will always protect you and this little unexpected passenger tagging along with us. You know that, yes?”
“Yes, of course. However, you are not invincible, Mathias, even if you are a Ten and a Myrmidon.” I shook my head. “This is all happening so fast. Aren’t you at all . . . nervous?”
“No,” he stated simply. As soon as I gave him a look, he smirked. Then, he raised my hands and pressed a kiss to my curled fingers. “I love you, Lauren. This is a good thing, so smile a little, love.”
I smiled in spite of my best efforts. Sighing, I said, “You make me crazy.”
He chuckled. “I know. I can’t help it when you’re the one who drives me mad all the time.” He kissed my fingers once more and then dropped them in favor of placing his hand on my stomach. “Don’t look worried, love. I will keep you both safe, in Knossos, in Mount Etna, and then off to our own little island.”
Quests by Numbers (Rogue Spotter Book 5) Page 6