Children of the Sea 03 - Sea Lord

steady on hers.

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    “You will be safe here.”
    She wanted to believe him. But his assurances hadn’t kept her safe yesterday, and her presence had put both Madadh and Iestyn in danger.
    “What if the demons come back?”
    “They will not. They cannot. We seal the springs today.”
    Lucy frowned. Not over the loss of hot water, but because she couldn’t imagine the power it must take to close a rift in the earth’s crust. “You can do that?”
    “We must,” he said grimly, releasing her hands. “Gau’s trespass cannot go unanswered.”
    She watched him cross to the hip bath on the hearth. He rang a rag over his face, his armpits, his genitals, his gaze abstracted, his movements brisk and automatic.
    Like Caleb’s, before he deployed.
    In Conn’s mind, he was gone from her already. She recognized the signs.
    Her heart sank. She was sick of being left out, tired of being left behind.
    Already she couldn’t leave the island or go beyond the castle walls. Was she going to sit by quietly, passively until her world narrowed to this tower? This room? This bed?
    “I could help,” she offered.
    Conn dropped the washrag into the bath water. “It is a warden’s job.”
    Her brother was a warden.
    Lucy remembered the day after Regina’s attack, when Dylan had been desperate to protect her. Lucy had stumbled upon her brother kneeling in the alley behind the restaurant, his hands splayed on the bricks and his face taut with concentration. She recalled the slow seep of power like water gathering underground, collecting in the cool, quiet chambers of her heart, pouring forth in response to his need.
    She met Conn’s gaze again. “I could help,” she repeated, and this time she was sure.
    Conn’s eyes narrowed. “It could be dangerous. If Gau senses your presence—”
    “Yesterday I blasted a bunch of his wolves,” Lucy said as dryly as she could. “I think I already have his attention.”
    Conn’s brows rose in surprise.
    Lucy sat very still, her pulse beating in her throat.
    Please , she thought. She knew he would not go home with her. He could not leave his responsibilities here. Not now. Perhaps not ever. But they had to find equal footing somewhere.
    He could not enter into her old life. Would he accept her into his?
    He stood naked before her, tall, dark, and formidable as always. A corner of his mouth curved in his slow, rare smile. “Then we will face him,” he said, “together.”
    Her heart trembled. “You’re sure?”
    “Sure,” he said and raised her by their joined hands and kissed her.
    Caleb Hunter curled his fingers over his wife’s smooth, flat belly. She didn’t feel any different. Here or . .
    . He stroked upward toward her lush, full breasts. “You’re sure.”
    Maggie chuckled and stretched like a cat, almost purring under his touch. “Yes.”
    “So soon.”
    “Yes.”
    Joy, concern, fear crowded his chest. He inhaled carefully. “Don’t you need to take a test or something?”
    “Darling Caleb.” Her hand cupped his cheek. “I know how much you policemen like proof. But I know this in my heart. We are having a baby.”
    “When?”
    “I would say a few months after Dylan and Regina’s child.”
    So soon. The demons had targeted Regina as soon as she became pregnant.
    “Is it . . .” He paused, worry weighting his tongue. Tightening his throat.
    Maggie’s eyes glinted in the dark. “Human?”
    He didn’t give a damn if their baby was born with flippers and a tail, as long as his wife was happy. And safe.

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    “Healthy.”
    Maggie smiled. “The baby is fine. I am fine. Never better.”
    “Good.” He pulled her into his arms, holding her slim, naked body close. “I’m shaking,” he confessed.
    “I noticed.” She kissed him. “Do not worry, my love. You will be an excellent father.”
    Oh, God. All the blood left his head. Good thing he was already lying down. “You’ll be a wonderful mother.”
    “I hope so.” She laughed breathlessly, sounding young and uncertain. “I do not have much of an example to follow.”
    Caleb thought of his mother, who had abandoned him, and his father, who had drowned his grief and resentment in the bottle.
    “Neither do I,” he said dryly.
    But Maggie’s joy left no room for doubts.
    “Oh, your family!” she exclaimed. “We must tell