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Her stomach gave a lurch, and she clutched the bucket tighter. If only her stomach would stay in place for a few more minutes. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to breathe through it.

Finally, the horse halted, and Essie opened her eyes, bracing herself against the saddle’s pommel.

Farrendel released her and swung down. He looked back up to her, studying her face. “Do you need help getting down?”

She glanced from the ground to the bucket. There was no way she could hold the bucket and safely scramble down from the horse. She held the bucket out to Farrendel. “I love you.”

His nose wrinkled as he took the puke bucket, holding it well away from him.

While he set the bucket on the ground far from the horse, Essie swiveled so that she sat astride. Then she worked her foot into the stirrup, gripped the saddle, and swung down.

As she searched for the ground with her foot, Farrendel returned to her side and gripped her waist, gently lifting her the rest of the way to the forest floor. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into him while she worked to steady her stomach. “Linshi.”

When she tilted her head up to look at him, his face was only inches from hers. But his mouth tilted, his nose still a little wrinkled in his disgusted face. “I love you, Essie, but I am not kissing you until after you brush your teeth.”

“I don’t blame you.” She grimaced, becoming aware again of the gritty sourness inside her mouth now that he had reminded her. “Unless you need me for something, I’m going to go straight to our room.”

She needed to brush her teeth. Maybe shower. Definitely curl up in bed and nap.

“Iyrinder is checking Lethorel now to make sure it is safe, then you can go in.” Farrendel stepped back, his face hardening. “I need to place the alert shield and scout the forest.”

Essie nodded and retreated to where he had placed her bucket. While Farrendel disappeared into the forest around Lethorel, Captain Merrick guarding his back, the rest of the elven and troll guards spread out in a semicircle. Ryfon and Brina gathered the horses, taking them toward the stables grown into the base of the tree.

Mother joined Essie and rested a hand on her arm. “How are you feeling?”

“I haven’t had to empty out the puke bucket since our last stop.” Essie picked it up. As icky as the thing was by now, she might still need it before she reached her room.

Melantha approached slowly, her gaze concerned, green surrounding her fingertips. “May I?”

“Please.” Essie never would have made it this far without her sister-in-law’s magic soothing her stomach as much as possible.

Melantha gently touched her fingers to the back of Essie’s hand. Her magic flowed into Essie, easing the roiling in her stomach and the aching burn at the back of her throat from throwing up. While Rheva’s healing magic was as soft and gentle as she was, Melantha’s held a sharper, stronger edge to it. When Melantha drew her hand back, she held Essie’s gaze. “You and the baby are both doing well.”

“Linshi.” Essie relaxed, glad when her stomach stayed where it belonged. It was reassuring, having a healer along to check that the baby was fine.

“Come. Let’s get you to bed.” Mother steered her toward the stairs. Melantha followed them, carrying Essie’s bag along with her own.

Since Lethorel was not as large as Ellonahshinel, it didn’t take long to reach Essie and Farrendel’s small suite, even if the rooms were on the fringe of the treetop summer palace. As soon as they entered, Essie collapsed onto one of the chairs. She needed to sit and gather energy before brushing her teeth and changing into comfy clothes for her nap.

Mother bustled about, unpacking Essie’s bag. Melantha, of all people, took Essie’s puke bucket and disappeared into the water closet, returning after several minutes with the bucket all clean.

Essie gathered enough energy to brush her teeth, wash her face from trail dust, and change into a soft shirt and trousers before she collapsed onto the bed.

* * *

When she woke, she was cocooned in a comfortable warmth. Farrendel was at her back, a warm and secure presence. His arm wrapped around her waist, holding her to him.

“Feeling better?” His voice was a rumble against her back, his breath brushing her hair.

“Yes.” She sighed, stretching, then curled back into the warm, comfortable spot where she’d been. “I needed that nap. It turns out traveling while pregnant is rough. But we got here. I’m fine, and the baby is well.”

He rested his hand over the back of hers, threading their fingers together. “I will protect both of you.”

“I know.” Essie hugged their clasped hands to her, snuggling into the reassurance of his arms around her. “We’ve joked about pointed ears and red hair, but right now I just want this baby to be healthy.”

Even if this baby wasn’t healthy, they would still love him or her. They would have access to the best elven healers, and they would handle whatever would come.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her neck. “Yes.”