Page 37 of Spirit Rites

He steps forward and reaches for my hand. I watch him, surprised. “I don’t see it that way, not at all. But I can’t undo this. Are you sure it’s okay? I know you didn’t exactly have a say in all this?”

“Neither did you,” I remind him. “I guess we’ll have to trust that fate got it right.”

He nods. “While we’re talking about surprises, I have another one for you.”

I cringe slightly. “I’m not sure I can take any more surprises,” I admit.

He squeezes my hand, the one I haven’t forgotten he’s still holding. “You’ll like this one.” He leads me over to the stairs.

“Will I though?”

His only answer is to squeeze my hand. When we get to the top of the steps, he surprises me by leading me to the front door. It doesn’t escape my notice that Taren and the big guy with the ax follow us outside. Kaldar leads me towards the woods. Iknow then where we’re going. This is where Jespar and Veyra have been staying. When we get close, both jaguars appear out of nowhere, startling me. Kaldar runs a hand over Jespar, and then he turns to Veyra. He surprises me by kneeling in front of her. “Hey, Mamma,” he says softly. “How are you doing?”

Shock rolls through me.You’re pregnant?

She responds right away.Yes.

Wow. That’s amazing.I step forward and run a hand through her fur.How long do you have left?

Around two months.

Wow, you guys didn’t waste any time,I joke.How many babies will you have? Do you know?

I am carrying three cubs.

I can’t help my smile as I run another hand through her fur.That’s amazing.Then another thought hits me. Will you be able to travel?

I am pregnant, not injured.

I nod.Okay.

I am a fierce predator.

Got it.

I make a mental note not to offend her again any time soon. Kaldar stands next to me. “Good surprise?”

I beam at him. “A great surprise. I can’t wait until the cubs are born. She says there are three of them.”

He nods. “Jespar told me. Ready to head back?”

Do you need anything?

No.

Kaldar and I head back towards the house. “They sure got after that fast, didn’t they?”

“I’m not surprised. Mating for jaguars is intense, more so than with other species.”

“Why is that?” I ask curiously.

“I’m not sure if it has something to do with their nature. They’re calm and relaxed most of the time until it’s time to hunt for something or defend themselves. Then they become aggressive and fierce. So maybe that translates into mating.”

“I’m glad I’m not a jaguar.” I’m not even sure why I say that; it just slips out.

Thankfully, Kaldar rolls with it. “No, you’re just bonded to one.”

Chapter 19