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Kynyr jerked the tunic off, balled it up, and tossed it in a corner of the
room. "Leeny? What's wrong?"
"My water broke." She swallowed and spoke in a hesitant manner. "Cramping ...
contractions maybe. I've never felt anything like this before."
Concern for his sister snapped Kynyr from his paroxysms of grief. "You've
never had a baby before. Gram says the first one is the hardest." Kynyr
dragged her arm across his neck and slipped his other around her waist. "Come
on, I'll help you. You can lie down in the infirmary."
Kynyr helped his sister into the room. The first bed they passed, which had
been Finn's until Sheradyn sent him on to the manor, contained Trevor. Mary
sat beside the bed, holding her husband's hand and weeping. Kynyr's stomach
clenched briefly.
"Please, Trevor. Please," Mary sobbed.
If Truth Dies [Lycan Blood Vol III]
by Janrae Frank
308
Kynyr felt Kathleen falter and steadied her. "Help us. She's in labor."
Kady popped around the extended screen that now blocked off half the room.
"I'll take her." She shifted
Kathleen's weight to her own shoulders and walked her down to the other end,
calling back over her shoulder, "Kynyr, get a pot of tea started in the
kitchen."
Kynyr rushed out, grateful for something that he knew how to do.
* * * *
Iollen drove the wagon into the yard of the old house with his child bride
beside him. He stared up at the house as he reined the horses in and set the
break. The size of it left him feeling small and humble. None of the homes in
Wolffgard could rival it. Old Elton McCain had lived there alone for decades
with two servants, Henry Butterum the caretaker and
Fychan Helmsley the stablemon. McCain's young wife had perished in a boating
accident near Chandler's Rock thirty years ago. He had built this house for
her as a wedding gift, and then let it fall into disrepair following her
death.
Iollen gazed at the columned veranda. It needed a coat of paint and a few
boards replaced, but it remained magnificent to look upon.
Aghavie's eyes widened. "We're going to be living here?"
"In the servants section. I can't offer you wonderful things, Aghavie, but
I'll take good care of you."
Fychan came out and helped Aghavie down.
If Truth Dies [Lycan Blood Vol III]
by Janrae Frank
309
"I see you brought the new missus home. She's a pretty little thing."
Aghavie's cheeks brightened.
Iollen reached for one of Aghavie's bags and Fychan shook his head at him.
"You get the little missus upstairs and I'll bring the baggage."
Fychan unloaded the wagon while Iollen led Aghavie to their rooms.
"It's not much..." Iollen faltered as he opened the door to their suite of
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rooms. Kady had paid Odhran to cut a intervening door between two of the
servant's rooms the previous day. The wood of the door frame had not yet been
painted, but the work had been neatly finished.
A worn sofa sat along one wall, framed by two chests of drawers. Two chairs
faced the sofa across a low table. A
square table with two chairs occupied the corner to the left of the sofa.
"It's fine," Aghavie reassured him. "I like it."
Iollen found a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a note from
Kady sitting on the square table.
Iollen, If you've come home with a bride, toast your marriage. If you've come
home without Aghavie, drown your sorrows.
Kady
"It's late." Iollen got a blanket from the closet and spread it over the sofa.
"Why don't you get on to bed?"
"Aren't you coming?"
"I'll sleep out here."
If Truth Dies [Lycan Blood Vol III]
by Janrae Frank
310
She walked over and looked at him. "Aren't you going to poke me?"
Iollen put his hand on her belly. "I think you've been poked enough."
Aghavie went to the table and turned the note around.
"What does it say?"
"Can you read?"
"No." Aghavie poured wine for each of them and handed a glass to Iollen. "Ma
says you have to poke me or the marriage can be set aside."
"Can your mother read?"
"No." She cocked her head to a quizzical angle, considering him with serious
eyes.
"Then she doesn't know what we signed."
"What was it?" Aghavie lowered her eyes to the wine glass in her hand, her
shoulders tensing.
"I acknowledged myself the father of your child. Therefore, consummation is
not necessary."
"But it isn't yours."
"Most likely, it's Donald's." Iollen took a long drink from his glass, a
troubled look creeping into his eyes and around his mouth. "But it doesn't
matter who fathered it. It's your child, Aghavie and I will love it ... and be
a good father to it."
"You lied." She spoke in a matter-of-fact voice, sipping her wine without
looking at him.
Iollen's head came up. "About what?"
"About you being the only one alive. Preece was there the first time. It might
be his."
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