Page 53 of Hunt Me

“How do you feel about all of this?”

“How do I feel about what?”

“You know…about King Alesi taking a human for a queen?”

The nurse appeared hesitant. “I cannot answer your question.”

“Why not?”

“I do not wish to speak out of turn.”

“Your queen demands it.”

“As you wish, Queen Matilda. I disapprove of your pairing, and many others will agree. Vampires are a superior race to humans, and you becoming our queen would make us equals. And now that you’re with child, King Alesi will allow vampires and humans to mate. Within the next few centuries, purebred vampires could be wiped out com—”

“I’m sorry. I’m with what?”

Ingrid blanched. “I-I misspoke. I apologize, my lady,” she whispered.

“No, please repeat what you said. Did you say I’m with child?” Matilda asked in disbelief.

She gave Matilda a reluctant nod. Matilda fell back against the headboard and stared at the ceiling. “Please… I would like some time to myself,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry to upset you, Queen Matilda.”

“I’m not upset. I need time to process, is all.”

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yes. Hold the poison, please.”

Ingrid gasped. “I would never.”

“Of course not. Please leave.”

“I will return shortly.”

“Don’t rush on my account.”

The door shut behind Ingrid, and Matilda’s tears fell. Her free hand, that wasn’t in a sling, roamed to her belly. She palpated her stomach. It was still early, but soon enough, it would soften and balloon to accommodate a child. She was filled with mixed emotions: uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and dread. But she knew better than to feel joy and excitement.

“I’m pregnant… again.”

21

Stable Confessions

Lord Gustafson placed a hand against his chest and grimaced. His neck was on the line. He had let his guard down and started warming up to the huntress—big mistake. If she wasn’t found soon, he’d join David in the dungeon with Dr. Blackwood. He shivered at the thought.

He raised a fist to knock on the door when Luka bellowed for him to join. He entered cautiously and found Luka seething with rage at his desk.

“Have you found her?” Luka demanded.

“Well… you see…,”

“Last I checked, well, you see is not yes or no. Have you found her?”

“No, my grace,” he whispered, flinching when Luka’s chair scraped loudly across the floor.