Chapter Five
Estion
It was the day before the wedding, and Natalie woke up shivering. She was burning up with a fever and her whole body ached. She had been throwing up all morning.
Erdal would usually drop by to check in on her every day and that very day he found her in her chambers, still in bed and half-conscious as she moaned, shivering. He immediately rushed her to the palace infirmary where Dr. Barca checked her thoroughly, took a sample of her blood, and ran some tests.
“I want a complete report on her condition, doctor, in my office ASAP,” Erdal said, in a firm voice.
“Sir, I will do my best,” he said, as Erdal left her in his care.
Two hours later, the doctor came into Erdal’s office with the report.
“I have news for you, my lord,” he said, his expression grave.
“Yes. Proceed,” Erdal said.
“The fever has gone down and she will be fine in a day or two. It’s viral. But there’s something else...” he said hesitantly.
“What is it?” Erdal said, his heart racing.
“She’s pregnant. Almost six weeks now,” Dr. Barca said.
“What?” he exclaimed, fighting a wave of panic.
“Sir, I’m afraid it’s true. And one thing is for sure. The fetus is a hybrid: human and Darrenkar,” he said.
“I see,” Erdal said, clenching his fists as he tried to stay calm.
“I also ran the fetal DNA through our database and it matches yours,” he said cautiously.
“You keep this to yourself, Barca,” Erdal said, giving the doctor a serious look.
“Yes, sir,” the doctor said and left the room.
Erdal slumped back in his chair behind the desk as multiple thoughts raced through his mind. He got up and walked toward the side cabinet and poured himself a glass of dark wine. He took a swig, draining his glass, and wiped his lips with a soft, linen cloth.
What would he do now? If the king found out about the pregnancy, he would be doomed. And Natalie, poor woman… Her fate would be no less cruel. He knew the King and how he punished those who displeased him all too well. He couldn’t blame anybody but himself. He clearly remembered the night he had held her. He could still smell her sweet, intoxicating scent, still feel her soft body against his, her soft curves, still taste her sweet taste... His eyes darkened at the thought and he closed them, trying to think of a way out.
You have been a fool, Erdal. I had warned you... the dark voice in his head ridiculed him.
The same feeling played with his heartstrings. He felt responsible for her, and the feeling gnawed at him. He had made a mistake and now he would have to face the consequences. He must find a way to make things right.
***
It was dark outside as he stood near her bed, gazing at her sleeping form. With the fever gone, she seemed so peaceful. Her ivory skin glowed in the dim, golden light of the lamp, and her breathing was stable. He had the urge to touch her face with his fingertips… To feel her lips on his again.
Stop right there! Why do you care whether she lives or dies? She is human, Erdal. Her kind killed Kira, the dark voice said sinisterly. You must carry out the King’s orders. No need to think too much.
The king found out sooner than Erdal had expected. The doctor had told him, no doubt out of fear of the consequences he might face if he hadn’t. The King was furious and, as punishment, he had demoted Erdal almost three levels. Moreover, he had ordered him to kill her...
He closed his eyes and tried to control his racing heart. The throbbing pain in his temples had returned.
Natalie stirred and her eyes fluttered open. Her vision blurred and she closed them again, blinking a few times as she tried to focus. She was in her room and then she turned and saw him watching her. She gasped as his emerald gaze pierced hers. It took a moment for her to realize where she was.
“What happened?” she asked him, groggily.
He gazed at her for some time.
“You had a fever. A virus. You have been treated now,” he said gently. “And there’s something else.” He paused to see her reaction. She gave him a blank look.
“I don’t know if the doctor told you, but you should know this.”
“Know what?” she asked.
“Natalie, you are pregnant,” he said carefully. “And the baby is mine.”
“What?” she said, as her eyes grew wide. “Oh, no, no, no! This is crazy,” she said, panic welling inside her. Her rosy lips quivered. Tears welled in her eyes and she wrung her hands.
“Oh, what am I going to do?” She hugged her knees and rocked back and forth sobbing. “The king knows?”
“Yes,” he said quietly. His chest constricted terribly as her tear-filled, dark eyes accused him. He felt the measure of her pain. His knuckles turned white on the hand that gripped the hilt of his dagger at his side.
“It’s all your fault!” she cried, sobs racking her body. “You should have left me alone that night, you... you...” her voice choked as she coughed.
His fingers loosened on the hilt. He couldn’t do it. He just couldn’t. The throbbing in his temples grew in time with the ache in his heart.
What is wrong with you? You never had any difficulty killing for the king before. What has changed your mind? The dark voice whispered inside his head. You are thinking too much... she’s a weak human. She won’t even fight back. It shouldn’t be a problem for you.
No... shut up! Shut up! He couldn’t kill her. How could he stab her frail body as she already suffered? He saw – he felt – the pain that she was in.
This wasn’t right. He had never killed in this manner before. Sure, people had died at his hand, but that had been on the battlefield. And he had never killed a woman. It was an act he found dishonorable – beneath him, even.
Now, as he gazed into her clear, brown eyes, all he wanted was to take her in his arms and tell her that everything would be alright. He sat down on the bed beside her and held her hand.
“Natalie... I’m sorry. The king wants you dead.”
“Why don’t you kill me then?” she asked, as tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks. “I can’t have this baby. I don’t want it,” she said hysterically.
“Natalie, listen to me,” he began.
“No, you listen! What if I weren’t pregnant? You would kill me, wouldn’t you?” she said derisively.
“Natalie,” he said, pulling her closer as he took her face in his hands, wiping away the tears with his fingertips. “You are my true mate. I could never kill you. Even before all of this… Somehow, I couldn’t do it.”
“What? I... I don’t understand,” she said, confused.
“Our race can only impregnate the woman destined to be our true mate. The idea is considered to be a myth now, but our ancient elders believed it,” he said. “You don’t have to be scared anymore. I will be at your side.”
Natalie stared at him incredulously. She knew she was saying things out of hysteria as she was too soft-hearted to hurt any living soul, let alone abort her own child. He was at her side saying that she was his mate.
He gazed into her eyes, and then in a swift move he pulled her closer so that she sat across his thighs. Then, his lips were on hers as he fervently claimed her mouth. She gasped as his tongue slid into her mouth, demanding and urgent, grazing hers. She yielded, kissing him back.
Long after they had pulled apart he held her in his arms, savoring the sweet scent of her hair.
“Don’t you worry, Natalie. Trust me. I’ll get us out of here,” he said, quiet determination in his voice.