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Story: A Soul to Protect

He’s so possessive.She placed her free hand on her rounded belly.He’s also a big show-off.She had a funny feeling that was why he’d agreed to bring her all the way to this village today: more people to show what he’d done to her.

He was the world’s most enthusiastic father-to-be, and he was very delighted to let everyone know he’d been between her thighs. Linh was rather nervous about the whole thing, considering she’d been pregnant for a little over three weeks and she felt like a bloated whale.

Her face had swelled, her feet too, and why did no one warn her about the wretchedbackpain?! She waddled,waddled,for pity’s sake.

Apparently all the rigorous sex they’d had for two weeks leading up to the fertile days of her cycle had allowed him to truly flood her.Twins? For my first pregnancy?Nathair had been able to hear their little heartbeats and informed her of them – and anyone else who would listen to this news.

He often had the side of his skull pressed against her stomach, constantly listening to them as they grew. It was a sweet moment they shared in the privacy of their cave, and she loved seeing his orbs glow bright pink whenever they cuddled like this.

She’d been hoping they might be a mixture of them, but nope... apparently not. Nathair swore they would be featureless little Duskwalkers.I hope they’ll be cute.She planned to put them in little dresses and outfits, no matter what they were.

She’d adore them regardless.

Nathair said he didn’t want to have more children for a while, and the fact they were twins had her rather thankful. Being a new mother to two creatures she didn’t really understand was going to be a hard battle.

He also said he wants to visit his brothers once we’re used to them.It’d take at least a month to journey to them, and going beyond the mountains she’d never left, let alone to the Veil, was kind of frightening. As much as she trusted Nathair to keep them all safe, the idea of going to the Veil had her wanting to come up with excuses.

She always fell short when she knew how much it would mean to him.

Not long ago, he’d told her he didn’t wish to endanger his brothers and their brides with his crazed presence. With her at his side, he’d expressed that he felt he had the strength to facethem – as well as the reassurance of her voice and their bond snuffing his hunger.

He’s done so much for me. It’s the least I can do.

She’d go anywhere for him, just as he was doing so for her.

Linh nearly tripped when the tiniest pebble unsteadied her.My feet are killing me today. She hid her wince.

If Nathair knew she was in pain, he’d carry her like she was as fragile as glass. She wanted exercise, especially as he wouldn’t have sex with her – to her dismay. She felt like she hadn’t moved in a week.

“Are you okay?” she asked when they were almost at the gate.

Since they’d come to an agreement with the head of this village, they were leaving. She’d promised Nathair they wouldn’t linger.

“I’m fine,” he signed with his left hand. “I want to go home. These humans are making the fragments louder.”

They were gossiping as they followed the freaky monster in their home. Everyone was nervous, despite the mayor explaining the details already. She couldn’t blame them for wanting to come and stare, even if it was rude. She was ashamed to admit she would have done the same thing.

She hated that being around people made the voices harder for him to bear, only because she didn’t like how much they bothered him. He always seemed exhausted afterwards.

When they reached the exit, Linh turned to Natasha, the mayor. A crowd formed a semi-circle around them.

“Thank you again for your hospitality,” Linh stated, holding her hand out.

The tanned woman with blonde hair and a busty figure gave a deep laugh. She gripped the end of her baton weapon as she leaned forward at the offer of a handshake. The burly woman almost crushed Linh’s daintier fingers.

“No problem, daughter of Tahlia. Your mother and I used to be good friends, and if she’s chosen to trust this Duskwalker, so will we. We’re thankful for your offer, and we look forward to having a stronger union between our villages.” Then she swept a few loose strands of hair towards her low ponytail. “Lord knows we need some prosperity after what we’ve gone through.”

Linh gave a small laugh in return, only to cringe when one of her kids kicked her in the damn bladder.I hate it when they do that.

“You can say that again,” Linh answered with strain.

Natasha then gave her attention to Nathair. “Thank you again for ridding us of our bandit problem. Once the head was gone, the rest scampered away with their tails between their legs. We look forward to your protection.”

“You are welcome,” Nathair signed, in which Linh interpreted. “I am willing to do anything for my bride and our younglings.”

As if he wished to highlight that, he cupped the side of her rounded belly and pulled her closer into his side.

Linh interpreted again. When she received an awkward cough from Natasha, her cheeks warmed. “Sorry. He’s very proud.”

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