Afew months have passed, but I still can hardly believe this is my life. I wake in the arms of my husband—my bondmate, I mentally correct myself. With his wings wrapped possessively around me, he tugs me closer.
He runs his fingers through my hair as his gaze holds mine, his brow furrowed slightly. “I feel very protective of you, Ella. As if I cannot bear the thought of you leaving my sight even for a moment. I do not understand why.”
I nestle into him. “Then let’s just stay in bed all day. I’m tired anyway, and I love sleeping here with you, wrapped up in your arms and wings.”
He flares his nostrils and gently nuzzles at my temple, moving down my neck. “Your scent,” he breathes as he presses a soft kiss to my skin. “It is so strong it is maddening.”
He closes his mouth over my breast, and I arch into him, riding the ripples of pleasure he sends straight to my core. He continues down my body, pressing a line of kisses down my abdomen, then stills.
His stillness concerns me. “Ryvan?”
He lifts his gaze to mine, his eyes bright with tears.
“I believe you are carrying our child.”
I sit up on my elbows. “What? How do you know?”
“That would explain why your scent is so strong, and why I feel so protective of you.”
I think back, counting the days that I have been here. I haven’t had my monthly cycle since I moved into the castle, and I should have had at least two by now.
I place my hand over my abdomen as tears prick my eyes. “A child,” I whisper more to myself than to him.
“Does this upset you?” he asks, his expression full of concern.
A tear escapes my lashes as a warm smile curves my mouth. “No.”
He kisses my stomach and moves back up my body. He splays his palm over my abdomen and presses a tender kiss to my lips as he stares down at me, his gaze full of love and devotion.
“What about you?” I search his glowing green eyes. “Does this make you happy, my love?”
He smiles against my lips. “More than words can say.”
