“Who did…”
“Our mother,” growled Kairen. “That old witch stole it.”
Cassandra was going a bit whiter than usual. She was pregnant with an Imperial Baby! Kairen’s baby, and a little Prince, too, since only sons were born with a dragon... She couldn’t believe it. They had been together for only a few weeks! And someone had already stolen the baby’s dragon egg?
“Cassandra.”
Her Prince’s voice barely reached her. Everything was going too fast, too confusing. She slowly started going down, but Kairen caught her before her legs gave way completely. Krai was agitated around them, too. Going in circles around her, growling a bit. The War God carried her, turning to the castle to walk back.
Nebora was worried about her, biting her lips and frowning, yet she didn’t dare to suggest anything on the way back. All four of them got back to Kairen’s bedroom, where he helped Cassandra sit on his bed, Nebora immediately kneeling at her side. She put her arms around her stomach, frowning a bit.
“So I really am…pregnant? With His Highness’ child?”
Shareen rolled her eyes.
“Unless he fucked someone else around here, yes, sweetie. An egg means a pregnancy and it was definitely Krai’s. Hence, the brat is his Master’s. And our mother wouldn’t have bothered with it if it was anyone else’s.”
“Why would your mother take it?” asked Cassandra. “Shouldn’t it stay with the dragon who…had it?”
“If you want it dead within three days, yes. Our father’s vault is open to any Imperial Family Member, since it’s guarded by Glahad. And his dragon will let any of his children in. That’s six Princes and about twenty Princesses, mind you. And I wouldn’t trust any of them near a dragon egg.”
So any of their siblings could be after her baby…and his egg. Since she was living so far away, protected in the Onyx Castle, Cassandra had almost forgotten what a scary and dangerous place the Imperial Palace could be. She felt something cold inside her heart, a wave of fear surrounding her. This baby was only a few days old! What else would she have to face from now on? Could it be born safely?
Just when she was overwhelmed by those thoughts, Kairen surrounded her with his large thick fur cloak, covering her shoulders. She looked up at him, but her Prince had this dark look in his eyes. A War God expression. Cassandra took a deep breath in. She wasn’t alone.
“Father wasn’t too happy either,” said Princess Shareen. “I bet Mother did it behind his back. His other concubines must be pissed, but at least they won’t dare act against her.”
“That damn woman,” growled Kairen.
“It’s still better with her than at the Palace,” argued his sister.
“Can’t we retrieve it?” asked Cassandra.
The siblings turned their eyes to her. Shareen crossed her arms with a smirk.
“Our mother is a stubborn bitch. She probably didn’t take that egg just to have it as a decoration. Kairen never visits her.”
That last sentence was actually directed at her brother, who was still frowning. Seeing as he wasn’t responding, Shareen shrugged and laid on the bed next to Cassandra, her hands behind her head.
“Anyway, I’ve done my share. I think I’ll stay here for a while. I’m bored of the Palace and your flying lizard is probably not taking me back anytime soon. Do you have any pretty girls? Other than this one.”
She said that, pointing at Nebora, who promptly looked away. Cassandra decided to ignore Shareen’s antics and turned to Kairen. She didn’t really grasp what was truly at stake, but this egg was her child’s future dragon. She hated not being able to confirm it was safe. Cassandra stood up and took a couple of steps to reach Kairen’s side, taking the Prince’s hand between hers.
“My Lord, please…can we at least make sure the egg is safe?”
For a while the Prince remained silent, his eyes stuck somewhere else. Then he turned to her.
“Are you content?”
His question took her by surprise. She had expected anything but that. What was he asking about? She couldn’t understand until Kairen silently put his large hand on her stomach. She blushed. He meant her pregnancy! Cassandra hadn’t even had time to think about this. What were her feelings on this matter? She was pregnant, expecting a child at seventeen! And an Imperial Baby, no less. Just a few weeks ago, Kairen had taken her virginity, but she hadn’t even had time to picture herself bearing his children. She knew men of power needed heirs, but she wasn’t even yet accustomed to the idea of being his concubine!
Yet…Cassandra was clear on how lucky she was. Of all people, Kairen was a strong and powerful man, yet he acted unexpectedly nice and gentle to her. After years of slavery, she had risen to the concubine status in just a few days. Moreover, she wasn’t with a cruel or brutal man, but with him.
No, having his children wasn’t anything bad. On the contrary, her feelings toward him had already blossomed, like tiny, shy flowers hidden in her heart. Bearing her Prince’s child was a surprise and a blessing.
Cassandra slowly nodded, showing a gentle, serene smile. Kairen seemed relieved for a second, and kissed her gently.
“How boring,” said his sister’s annoyed voice behind them. “Are you going to see Mother then? I can’t handle much more mushy stuff unless you move on to my favorite part. You know, the hot part.”
