Page 42 of Bedrest Blues & Otherworldly Clues (Mystical Midlife in Maine #17)

"That's our kids," Aidon said with fierce pride as he placed his hand next to mine. Nina moved closer to us and rested her hand beside Aidon’s.

Their relationship had begun with wariness when he first entered our lives.

It had transformed into a deep bond of trust and love.

She might have another man's blood in her veins, but Aidon had become her true father in all the ways that mattered.

"Lyra was right about one thing. They are going to change the face of the magical world.

Jean-Marc joined us and placed his hand next to mine. “They sure are. They’re defying magical norms before they've even drawn their first breath."

The protective shield faded gradually. Calling up my magical senses, I tried to figure out what happened.

All that boasting might have been for nothing.

A sigh rushed out of me when I realized Lyra's attempt to access their power had ceased.

The parasitic connections remained. However, now we knew they weren't as effective as she believed.

It was a small victory, but we'd take anything we could get at this point.

"I need to get downstairs," I declared, swinging my legs over the side of the bed with determination. "We need a family council to figure out our next steps, and I am not about to do that with everyone crowding around our bed."

"Phoebe—" Clio began in her sternest healer voice.

"I'm not planning to run a marathon," I assured her. "All I want to do is talk. And check on Stella. I can't just lie here while my best friend is fighting magical corruption and my family is working to protect us all. I need to be part of the solution."

Aidon looked like he wanted to argue, but instead offered his arm for support. "Just promise you'll tell me if you feel even the slightest contraction."

"Deal," I agreed as he helped me to my feet. The world swayed momentarily before steadying. I took a tentative step forward, relieved that my legs held my weight.

Mom hovered nearby, ready to catch me if I faltered.

"Take it slow, sweetheart." She'd always been my safety net, even before magic entered our lives.

When I was seven and fell from the oak tree in our backyard, she'd somehow caught me before I hit the ground. When my high school boyfriend broke my heart, she appeared at my bedroom door with ice cream and unwavering support. And when Miles kicked me to the curb, leaving me jobless and in debt, Mom and Nana had taken me in without hesitation. They’d created a home where my brokenness could heal.

Now, with the stakes higher than ever before, her vigilance remained unchanged. She was a constant in my chaotic world.

"I will," I promised her with a smile, reaching for her hand and squeezing it briefly. The connection between us had only grown stronger through our shared magical trials.

The journey downstairs was like navigating an obstacle course while carrying a bowling ball strapped to my abdomen.

Each step required conscious effort, and by the time we reached the living room, I was regretting my insistence on going down for the family council.

But stubbornness was a family trait I'd inherited in spades.

I finally settled onto a stool at the island with as much dignity as I could muster. The kitchen had been transformed into a war room. Maps covered the table, books were stacked in precarious towers, and various magical implements were organized across every available surface.

Nina and Selene were conferring in the corner over what looked like complex warding diagrams. Hades and Persephone stood by the window.

Their divine power radiated from them as they maintained a protective bubble around our property.

Murtagh appeared briefly to report on the perimeter defenses before returning to Tseki.

"Look who decided to join the party," Stella called weakly from a chair at the table.

I gasped at the sight of her. My usually vibrant best friend was pale as death.

She had dark veins spreading from her left hand all the way to her shoulder.

The arm was wrapped in glowing bandages that pulsed with purification magic.

My stomach twisted when I noted how the corruption was fighting against the containment.

"Jesus, Stella," I whispered. "You look like hell warmed over."

She managed a shadow of her usual cocky grin. "You should see the other guy. Oh wait, you can't because I obliterated it."

"After it took a chunk out of you," I reminded her.

"Details, details," she waved her good hand dismissively. "How are the mini magical time bombs?"

"Currently stable and developing shield magic," I replied. "They blocked Lyra when she tried to access their power."

The room fell silent as everyone processed this new information. Hades was the first to speak. "That changes everything. If they can actively resist the connection, we have a chance to break it before they're born."

"Exactly what I was thinking," Mom agreed.

I held up a finger as Mythia put a mug of tea and a chocolate chip scone in front of me. "But we need a plan. One that doesn't involve me going into labor in the next few weeks."

"Agreed," Persephone said as she crossed to sit beside me. Her spring-bright energy was a balm to my frayed nerves. "We need to organize protection rotations. Lyra will be looking for opportunities to force you back into labor. She wants you and the triplets vulnerable."

"We also need to continue researching ways to permanently sever the connections," Mom added. "Now that we know the babies can fight back, we can focus on spells that might enhance their natural defenses instead of trying to break the bonds directly."

Hades nodded thoughtfully. "I'll continue searching the Underworld archives for precedents.

There must be records of similar magic being countered successfully.

The problem is that there have never been babies born with their blend of powers.

" Translation: no god had ever impregnated a Pleiades witch who used to be a mundie.

"Persephone and I will maintain the property's outer defenses," Aidon said as he broke off a piece of my scone. "We've already reinforced the wards with elements specifically designed to keep out the Forgotten Ones."

"As you heard a moment ago, Murtagh has the shifters patrolling in rotating shifts," Selene interjected. "And the witches from the coven have volunteered to help maintain the inner protective circles. Lilith believes Lyra shot herself in the foot by breaching your wards like she did. Her theory is that she won’t be able to do it again, but we aren’t taking any chances. "

Nina looked up from her work with a determined expression.

"Lilith might be right, but we should definitely keep our guard up.

The one thing she will be able to do again is plant those seeds.

Jean-Marc and I are developing countermeasures for Lyra's monitoring spells. She won't be able to spy on us again."

A thorough plan was taking shape. It sounded as if they’d covered everything, but something bothered me. "What about Lyra's ritual site? We should be sending someone to destroy it before she can attempt another version of the ceremony."

"It’s already handled," Hades assured me with grim satisfaction. "I dispatched a legion from the Underworld. There's nothing left but scorched earth where her dimensional pocket once existed."

"That won't stop her," I warned, remembering the look of maniacal certainty on Lyra's face as she'd escaped. "She said she had contingencies. I bet that means she prepared multiple sites where she could complete the ritual."

"We destroyed three more locations last night," Persephone confirmed. "But you're right. She's likely prepared alternatives we haven't discovered yet."

"Which is why we need to focus on breaking these connections," Jean-Marc concluded. "That's our best defense, regardless of what other schemes she's plotting."

"I want to help with the research," I insisted. "I can't fight physically right now, but my mind works fine.” I didn’t say that I had a vested interest in finding a solution.

"Absolutely not," Clio interjected from the stove. She'd followed us downstairs with her medical bag and was clearly unhappy about my current position. "You're still on bed rest. That means minimal magical exertion."

"I need to not feel useless while everyone else risks their lives protecting me and my children," I countered. "Research isn't physically taxing, and it requires no magic. Having something constructive to focus on will help keep my stress levels down. And that is better for the babies."

Clio and Aidon exchanged one of those looks that told me they'd already discussed this possibility. "You can do some research," Aidon said finally. "In bed, with regular breaks, and no active magic casting of any kind."

"And constant monitoring," Clio added firmly. "At the first sign of magical stress or labor symptoms, you need to stop immediately."

I knew when to accept a compromise. "Deal. Jean-Marc can bring me the relevant texts, and I'll coordinate with Mom and Nana on exploring potential countermeasures."

"I'll set up a rotation schedule," Persephone offered. "We need someone with strong magic with Phoebe at all times in case Lyra attempts another direct attack through the connections."

"I'll take first shift," Aidon declared in a tone that brooked no argument.

"I've got second," Stella volunteered, ignoring the disapproving looks from everyone in the room.

"You're in no condition to watch me," I protested, eyeing her corrupted arm. “I want to focus on healing that first.”

She raised an eyebrow. "This new treatment is already working. I can feel the taint begin to clear. Besides, sitting with you while researching requires minimal movement. It’s perfect for my current situation."

"Fine," I conceded. "But Clio checks your arm every time she checks on me."

"Deal," she agreed too quickly, making me suspect she was in more pain than she was letting on.

"Third shift is mine," Mom said. "Nina can take fourth, and Jean-Marc fifth. We should rotate every four hours to ensure everyone gets adequate rest."

The planning continued as assignments were distributed.

Defensive positions were established, research topics divided, and communication protocols set.

Through it all, I felt the triplets responding to the energy in the room.

Their magic had settled into a steady hum, as if they were listening and learning.

When the meeting concluded and people began dispersing to their various tasks, Aidon helped me back upstairs. The short trip had exhausted me more than I wanted to admit. As he settled me back in bed with a stack of grimoires, his expression was troubled.

"What is it?" I asked, reaching for his hand.

"I should have protected you better," he said, his voice barely audible. "If I'd been stronger, faster?—"

"Stop," I interrupted firmly. "Lyra had been planning this for months. She manipulated events to separate us. And even with that advantage, she still couldn't complete her ritual. We escaped. We're together. And now we're going to find a way to break these bonds before our babies are born."

His power curled around my hand. It was cool and familiar. "You're remarkable, you know that? Most people would be falling apart after what you've been through."

I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance despite the fear and rage still churning just beneath the surface. "I don't have the luxury of falling apart. Not when there's a psychotic witch out there who thinks she's entitled to my children's magic."

Aidon's eyes darkened with divine fury. "She'll never touch them. I swear it."

A flutter of movement in my belly caught our attention. Aidon’s hand shot out, and his face transformed with awe as he felt the babies move through my skin. It was as if they were responding to their father's promise with one of their own.

"I think they're planning to hold you to that," I said with a smile that felt genuinely hopeful for the first time since our ordeal began.

"Good," he replied as he pressed it gently over the spot where they'd moved. "Because together, we're going to make Lyra regret the day she ever thought she could steal from our family."