Chapter Fifty-Two

Poppy.

The next morning I woke to the sun high in the sky. Daegal’s spot on the bed was empty and cool when I touched it.

Groaning, I rolled over to my side and stared at the bedroom door.

My stomach rolled at the thought of breakfast, so I swung my feet to the floor and rushed toward the bathroom.

I fumbled at the door, but caught myself on the bathroom counter in time to hurl up bile into the toilet.

“Good morning to you, too,” I whispered.

My memory from the night before hit me. I had walked to the portal and almost went in. Our son, Jeremiah, had led me there with a giant smile and playful eyes.

Had Kelli lured me there? What was happening to me? I wasn’t a sleepwalker in my youth. Sitting back, I looked around the bathroom and then noticed the bump in my stomach.

I stared at the size of it and cringed. He had grown overnight.

Splaying my palm on the curve of my stomach, I felt him flutter beneath my fingertips.

It made me smile, but at the same time, it was scary. With Kelli potentially coming after me, and attempting to kill me, I wasn’t sure I could keep him safe like I needed.

Grabbing the edge of the bathroom counter, I pulled myself up and stared at myself in the mirror.

My face was fuller, and my breasts felt heavy. It was like being on my period … for months.

“Are you okay?”

Selena appeared in the doorway and I yelped loudly.

She put her palm on her chest, and the other out toward me. “Lord, Poppy. Are you okay? It's not good to scare a pregnant woman."

“You scared me,” I mumbled, grabbing my brush and beginning to brush through my hair. “I’m fine. I just had my morning vomit session. Ya know, to welcome the day.”

The corner of her mouth tugged into a smile. “I wanted to reach out to you about something before breakfast.”

“Shoot,” I said.

“Do you remember last night?” she asked, leaning against the doorframe.

I finished brushing my hair and grabbed my toothbrush. “Yes. I remember my dream, and waking up seconds away from stepping into the portal.”

“Can you tell me anything about the dream?”

I wedged my elbow against the counter and stared. “I woke up to our son on me. He had my hair and Daegal’s face—,”

Selena put up her finger. “Like we mentioned the other day? I thought he’d have your hair, and you hoped he looked like Daegal?”

I put toothpaste on my brush and ran it under the water. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Selena pressed her mouth into a thin line. “I think she’s listening to us somehow. I’ll have to work on that today.”

I brushed my teeth while she watched me closely. Once I finished, I looked over at her. “I put up a wall last night. I think she’s getting to you because you’re vulnerable at night.”

“How long do you think she’ll do this until she attempts to come back?” I asked, playing with the hem of my T-shirt.

She shrugged. “As long as it takes to gain her strength.”

“What will happen when she sacrifices herself?” I asked over my toothbrush.

Selena pushed from the doorframe. “Come on. Finish up. Melinda has an impressive spread for you downstairs. It’s getting cold.”

I spit into the sink, but I didn’t miss that she avoided my questions. It meant she didn’t know, or she didn’t want me to know. “Where is Daegal?” I asked.

“He’s out with Stetson. They left early this morning.”

I missed his touch. It would have been nice to wake up to his warmth beside me but I knew he was anxious. He wanted to make sure things were safe at the kingdom.

He’d looked so nervous the night before. Like he'd seen a ghost. Tears pulled in the corners of his eyes. If he hadn’t shown up, I could have died.

Melinda had a table full of food for me. My stomach rumbled in appreciation as I slid into my usual seat.

Melinda came out seconds later holding a small gift bag, and a giant smile.

“This looks amazing, Melinda. Thank you so much.”

She sat across from me, and slipped the gift underneath her seat. I smiled at her, and then laughed. “Do you expect me to sit here and think about that gift all morning long?”

Melinda laughed in a singsong way that felt out of place for her. “Here. Open it.”

I took the small blue gift bag and reached inside. My finger touched a soft blanket. When I pulled it out it was crocheted and beautiful beneath my fingertips. The baby blue matched what I had in mind for his nursery.

“There is more,” she said, pointing toward the bag.

I reached inside and pulled out a small cotton going-home outfit. It had three large buttons on the front and a small matching hat.

I stared at the small garment. My first clothing for our baby. “Thank you so much,” I whispered, trying to contain my tears. “He’s going to be so small.” I traced my fingers over the soft cotton. “He’s going to be perfect.”

Melinda reached across the table and grabbed my hands. “Of course he is. He’s going to be Daegal’s pride and joy.”

I got up and walked around the table to hug her. “Thank you for everything that you do, Melinda.”

She pulled back and touched my cheek. “Of course, Poppy. I’m here for you always.”

I sat back at the dining table and began to eat my breakfast. My entire mind raced with ideas for the nursery. Where would we get a crib? Could someone make one for me?

“Melinda,” Selena said. “We believe Kelli is listening to us. So, we’re going to do our best not to speak about anything critical until we figure it all out.”

Melinda frowned. “I’ll be glad when this is all over.”

“Me, too,” I mumbled.

However, it didn’t feel close to being over. Kelli hadn’t even made it back yet, and I prayed she didn’t. When we finished eating, I offered to help Melinda but she shooed me along.

Selena crept behind me as I walked toward the doors. I looked over my shoulder. “Are you following me?”

“I am. Daegal asked me to keep an eye on you while he is out this morning.”

“I thought Kelli could only hurt me at night?”

Selena grabbed the door handle and opened it for me. “For now, but we don’t know how long that will last. If she becomes powerful enough, she may reach out now and … let’s go get some fresh air.”

I stepped outside and took a deep breath. The courtyard was full of dragons with their babies, enjoying the weather.

I stepped off the front steps, and I felt something hit my head.

Rain. I hadn’t felt rain here since arriving. It was out of the blue considering the cloudless skies. I flattened my palms and put them out in front of me.

Selena stepped beside me. A horrid look traveled across her face.

And I realized why when I looked at my palms.

Red liquid, which resembled blood hit my skin.

I watched the dragons realize and run toward shelter. Selena pulled me back onto the porch. “Is that real blood?” I asked as it began to pelt harder.

“Yes,” she said in a whisper.

The sound of heavy wings neared. Daegal and Stetson landed several feet in front of us. I met his heated stare as blood dripped down his skin.

My heartbeat picked up quickly as he looked up at the sky and his fingers tightened into fists.

If this wasn’t a threat, I didn’t know what was.

She was coming back one way or another.

My palm curled over my stomach and I swallowed the lump of fear in my throat. Selena placed her hand on my shoulder and pulled me close to her. “Everything is going to be okay.”

But I didn’t believe that for a moment.