The silence was deafening. None of them said a word as they watched me, as if they were trying to come to terms with what I had just revealed. Lud was the first to break from the spell. Blinking, he fixed his gaze on me. “Tell us you are joking,” he was almost pleading. “This is a lie, right? You wish to speak to us so you —”
“I'm pregnant.” This time I raised the tunic so they could see my stomach. They drew their breaths as their eyes went to it. I knew by the time they realised I was telling the truth. As one, they got up from their thrones and approached me with their eyes fixed on my belly.
Gulping, I watched them approach, telling myself this was all for the mission. I ignored the giddy feeling I got when Moon reached out to touch me. He was gentle as he took me in his arms as if I were a glass doll.
The others stood around us, and by the time I realised what they had in mind, they had passed me from brother to brother, each taking their turn to rub my stomach.
