Page 124 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

The server nodded politely. "Of course. Coming up, sir."

Annani looked at Tula's plate. "I see this dessert was a success."

"I'm obsessed," Tula said. "This is the best thing I've ever put in my mouth, and given that I've been craving only salty things lately, that's saying something. Do you think there's a chance Gerard will give me the recipe?"

"Not a chance." Annani laughed. "He guards his recipes zealously."

"He won't even give it to you?"

"I would not ask. It would be taking advantage of my position."

Tula pouted. "So? I hear that Kian is a part owner of By Invitation Only. I'm sure that gives you privileges that have nothing to do with being the Clan Mother."

"Is the baby kicking?" Tamira asked. "He should be, after all this sugar."

Tula shook her head and rubbed her belly. "He seems to be sleeping despite the loud music and the sugar. Does that mean he'll be an easy baby?"

"Not necessarily," Annani said. "You won't know until after he's born, and even then, babies go through stages."

When the server arrived with two plates of croquembouche and two coffees, Tula put both hands on the table and pushed herself up. "I need to visit the ladies' room."

Esag stood with her. "I'm coming with you."

She rolled her eyes. "You can't come inside the ladies' room with me."

"I'll stay by the door."

"Fine."

Tula took one step, stopped, looked down at the floor between her feet, then up at Esag, and then across the table at Annani.

"Well, that is inconvenient."

For a moment, no one moved. Then Tamira jumped to her feet and started waving. "We need a doctor here! Tula's water just broke!"

Annani turned to look at the table where she had seen Bridget sitting with Turner, Julian, and Ella, with little Jarred asleep in his stroller between them.

Bridget set the glass down, said something to Turner, who wordlessly put a hand on the stroller, and then she and Julian stood and came over.

"Contractions?" Bridget asked.

Tula shook her head. "Thought I peed. Maybe it's pee?"

Bridget smiled. "It's not pee. You have a decision to make. We can take you to the clinic right here in the keep, or you can risk it and drive back to the village. It's your first baby, so it might take a while, but it could happen quickly, and you could deliver in the car."

Tula looked at Esag. "What should we do?"

"I'm against taking a risk. Let's go to the clinic here."

"Good decision," Julian said, turning as Tony arrived at a dead run.

"Is it happening?" Tony asked Tula, who nodded and gave him a weak smile.

Shira arrived a moment later, carrying her high heels in her hands. "What happened?"

"My water broke." Tula looked at the puddle on the floor. "Someone should mop it up before people slip on my amniotic fluid." She twisted her mouth. "Sounds gross."

As if summoned by magic, two servers appeared with paper towels.