Chapter 291

Chapter 291
Lira's POV

I pushed open the front door, feeling like I'd been run over by a truck. Damn orchestra rehearsals, six hours straight! My fingers are practically numb. The scent of herbs greeted me, and seeing Stella's bright smile helped my tense nerves relax a little.

"Finally home!" Stella called from the kitchen doorway, waving a wooden spoon. "How was orchestra work?"

"Absolute hell," I sighed, dropping my bag. "But we finally finished the third movement."

Stella wiped her hands on a dish towel, studying my exhausted appearance. "Have you been practicing those basic magic exercises?"

I made a face, remembering how my last attempt to light a candle nearly set the curtains on fire. "Since finding out about the pregnancy, I've been a bit... nervous about that. Honestly, I'm worried it might hurt the baby."

"Don't be ridiculous," Stella said with a laugh, lightly patting my shoulder. "Magic flows in your blood as naturally as air. Practicing will only make you and the baby stronger." She paused, a curious smile crossing her face. "Seriously, would you prefer a boy or a girl?"

I shrugged lightly. "Either would be fine, as long as the baby's healthy." Just as I finished speaking, a rich aroma wafted from the kitchen—a mixture of herbs and spices that caught my attention.

I turned toward the kitchen to see Margaret standing by an old cast-iron stove, stirring a pot that emitted a tantalizing smell—a thick stew with chopped rosemary and bay leaves floating on top.

She turned around, tapping her wooden spoon gently against the pot. "Oh, it's going to be a girl."

I blinked in shock. "What? How do you know?"

Margaret's eyes sparkled, mysterious and confident. "I just know these things."

"A girl?" I couldn't help grinning, warmth flooding through me. A little girl... my daughter...

"Margaret has never been wrong," Stella said confidently. "Now go rest. We'll handle dinner. You look like you might collapse any minute."

"I can help—" I started.

"Don't even think about it," Stella pointed her spoon at me, her tone brooking no argument. "You've been working all day. Now, go rest."

Austin appeared in the doorway, holding a bottle of red wine. "Need any help?"

"Perfect timing," Margaret said. "You can chop these vegetables while Lira rests."

Seeing Austin's confused expression, I chuckled as I headed upstairs. At least someone will suffer the torture of cutting onions.

---

I'd barely lain down in the bedroom when I felt a familiar presence surround me. Without turning, I knew who it was. Nathan. His presence always made my heart race.

Before I could turn around, his arms encircled me from behind. His warmth seeped through my shirt, and his scent—pine and rain-soaked earth—made my entire body relax.

"Exhausted?" he whispered near my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my neck.

"Mmm," I turned to face him, my lips curving upward involuntarily. "Better now, though."

He leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. As my arms wrapped around his neck, his kiss deepened, growing more intense. I melted into his touch, the day's fatigue and worries receding like the tide.

His large hand gently caressed my abdomen. "Has our little one been causing trouble today?"

I laughed. "Just morning sickness, though it completely ignores the 'morning' part and strikes whenever it pleases."

"You should rest more," he frowned, concern flashing in his eyes.

"I'm fine, really," I pulled his head down to kiss him again.

His hands slid to my hips, strong fingers digging into soft flesh, pulling me closer. I could feel his hardness pressing against my lower abdomen through his pants, igniting a fire deep in my core. His lips traced down my neck, and when his teeth gently bit that sensitive spot below my ear, I couldn't help moaning. "Nathan..."

Nathan gently laid me on the bed, skillfully unbuttoning my blouse, each touch making me shiver.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky with desire, his palm sliding up my inner thigh, stopping between my legs.

I closed my eyes, my body tense with anticipation. His lips trailed down my chest, my stomach, lingering on my inner thighs. When he finally buried his head between my legs, I could barely breathe.

When his tongue first touched my most sensitive spot, I couldn't help arching my back. God, it felt amazing!

Pregnancy seemed to have made my body more sensitive, each lick and suck like electricity coursing through me. His tongue circled my clit while his fingers slipped into my wet entrance, and I could feel my orgasm building rapidly, ready to crash over me like a wave.

Just as I was about to reach my peak, my breathing becoming rapid, a loud knock on the door interrupted everything.

"Lira, dinner's ready!" Austin's voice called from outside.

"FUCK!" I cursed under my breath, groaning in frustration.

Nathan lifted his head, a mischievous smile on his lips. "Perfect timing. Looks like someone's going to suffer through dinner unsatisfied."

I hurriedly fixed my clothes, my cheeks burning, the need between my legs still achingly present. "We'll finish this later," I warned through gritted teeth.

He licked his wet lips, his heated gaze making my lower abdomen tighten. "I'm counting on it."

---

At the dinner table, I was acutely aware of everyone staring at my flushed face and slightly swollen lips. Damn, this is so embarrassing.

"Sorry to interrupt whatever was happening upstairs," Stella grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. "But fresh lasagna waits for no one."

"STELLA!" I hissed in annoyance, wanting to crawl under the table.

When Austin finally realized what he'd interrupted, his face turned bright red. "Oh God, I had no idea—I'm really, REALLY sorry—"

Everyone burst into laughter, even Nathan chuckled, while I just wanted the floor to swallow me whole.

"Can we PLEASE talk about something else?" I begged, feeling my ears burning.

"Alright, alright," Margaret said understandingly. "Stella was just saying we should intensify your magic training."

Stella nodded, her expression turning serious. "I have a bad feeling that's getting stronger. We need to be prepared."

"Is it about Linda?" I asked, remembering our late-night discussion.

"Yes," Stella's expression grew grim. "Since learning she's Marianne, I've been thinking. This is more dangerous than we imagined."

Lily looked at us in confusion. "Wait, Linda? The one who married your dad? What's going on?"