Chapter 7

3 weeks later

I was looking in the mirror with wide eyes, shocked how I hadn't noticed the change before. I had just been getting dressed that morning when I caught a glance of my side profile in the mirror and had frozen. Though Madja had said I would 'pop' around this time, I suppose I hadn't really clocked it then. Now though, I stared at my swollen abdomen. There was no longer just a small bump that could be concealed but now it was obvious I could only be pregnant. I rested my hand on the bump, excitement running through me. In here, right here, was Rhys's and my baby. We were having a baby!

Hearing Rhys's footsteps I quickly stepped away from the mirror and turned so he could only see my back when he entered.

"Hey Feyre darling," he purred but then frowning, "How are you still not dressed? Does it really take 20 minutes to get dressed?"

I started, not realising I had been that long. I could hear the worry in his voice and immediately felt awful for making him think something bad had happened to me. "No, I just got distracted and didn't realise the time." I admitted honestly.

"Distracted by –"

He faltered as I turned around, grinning at him and he stared, mouth open. Suddenly arms were around me and he swung me around, giving a cheer, before setting me down in front of the mirror and laying his hands on my bump.

"You're huge," he whispered, eyes bright as he stared at the reflection in the mirror. I gave a snort at that and he started, panic lighting in his eyes.

"Wait, no, that's not what I meant!"

I smiled, leaning against him, "I know, I'm teasing you," I said and he relaxed.

"You look so beautiful," he whispered, "I love you so much."

I tilted my head back and we kissed passionately until I pulled away, needing to catch my breath. "I think I should probably get dressed now," I said with a grin. He pouted but released me, reclining on the bed until I was ready, pride lighting in his eyes every time he saw my bump.

I slid a dress on but a small sadness rose in me as I had to wriggle it around a bit to get it over my bump. I bit my lip, taking a deep breath. I was pregnant. Obviously I would have to get maternity clothes soon. I just hadn't thought of how soon. I wouldn't be able to wear any of Rhys's mothers dresses anymore. Tears gathered in my eyes but I blinked them fiercely away, but not quick enough.

"Darling, what's wrong?!" came Rhys's panicked cry as he appeared behind me, spinning me around to face him, searching my face anxiously.

My lip wobbled and I started to cry. Rhys immediately gathered my in his arms and carried me back to the bed. "What's wrong?" he whispered, "I want to help make it better but I need to know what's wrong."

That only made me cry more but I managed to calm myself down and wailed "You can't! If I'm already this big at four months that I struggle to get in my dresses then I'm going to have to buy maternity dresses and I can't wear your mother's dresses anymore."

"Oh Feyre darling," Rhys whispered, tears forming in his own eyes. "I'm sure my mother will have made some maternity dresses but if not then yes, we'll have to buy some but I don't mind and mother certainly won't. If you like, we can go looking for some later on?"

I nodded, now feeling completely ridiculous for losing it over a dress but I must have accidently sent the thought down the bond for Rhys then rubbed my back, saying fiercely, "That wasn't stupid at all, darling."

I mumbled a small agreement under my breath and we got up, heading downstairs only for Elain to appear with Lucien behind her. He gave me a smile while Elain gave a squeal of excitement. "Finally! Will you now come shopping for baby things with us?!"

Rhys gave a snort and Lucien rolled his eyes; both having helped me escape baby shopping before.

I narrowed my eyes at them before smiling sweetly at Elain, "Of course, but I'm sure Lucien and Rhys would be absolutely delighted to join us."

Both men froze at that, Lucien, as he was behind Elain, giving me a look of outrage.

Elain, quickly picking up my idea, smiled back. "I'm not surprised, I doubt they'd want to leave us alone in Velaris, but of course if you don't want to come we'll get Cassian and Azriel to be our bodyguards."

"No! I'm coming!"

"What? No, we'll come!"

Both immediately disputed, frowning at Elain and Rhys was immediately by my side, arm wrapped around my waist. "So, where are we going?" he asked and I grinned at Elain.

"We'll just go to a few different ones that I have picked out –"

"Picked out?!" Lucien exclaimed, "How long have you been planning this for?"

"Just be glad I don't have Mor with me," she retorted and I grinned.

"Don't worry, I am," I said, "I've done shopping with her before. Honestly, it's painful."

Elain dragged us swiftly down the streets of Velaris, Lucien trailing miserably after her while Rhys, no happier, had me pressed firmly into him, watching the streets anxiously for the first sign of trouble. This was the first time I'd left the house for almost two months and I knew Rhys was anxious and would struggle with me being around so many people that he didn't know well enough to trust that they wouldn't hurt me. Usually, he would never think ill of Velaris's citizens but with me pregnant and all that had happened, he wasn't taking anymore chances. He struggled enough leaving me at all, even with Azriel or Cassian, renowned fighters.

Eventually Elain seemed to have found what she was looking for and dragged us into a baby shop. Rhys's eyes widened, as did mine, as we entered. Neither of us had been in a baby shop before, ever.

"Look how cute these are," Elain cooed, picking up some small onesies.

She handed them to me before vanishing into another section, dragging Lucien along who scowled at me, muttering "Why the fuck did you have to fall pregnant again?"

I snorted and turned to Rhys to find he hadn't been listening. Instead, he was staring at the onesies in my hand, tears shimmering in his eyes. I put them down and kissed him, sliding a hand in his hair, playing with his locks as we did, feeling the wetness on his cheeks. It had finally hit him too that yes, we were having a baby.

Eventually we pulled apart were I caressed his cheek. "You okay?" I whispered, wiping away his tears and he nodded, unable to speak.

For the next hour Elain dragged us around the store and we eventually decided to buy some basics, a baby crib, blankets, small cushions and some toys like building blocks and teddy's. When they left the store Elain wanted to do some more shopping and then would have lunch with Lucien but Rhys decided he was taking me back now. He vanished the items we bought before scooping me up and I gave a small cry of surprise.

"We're going for a little fly," he said, giving me a grin and I beamed back at him, not being allowed to fly while pregnant as it could be dangerous due to the baby throwing off my balance and centre of gravity. He swooped up and I gave a cheer which he grinned at, doing more tricks and flips in the sky. Though this meant the journey back to the house was slow, it was very enjoyable for both of us, letting us just feel free and work off some nervous energy.

Eventually though he landed back on our balcony, slowly setting me down so not to give me a headrush. I gave him a chaste kiss in thanks and he pouted at me for that and I smirked, going into the bedroom where all our stuff was. I instinctively pointed my hands at what we had bought, ready to use the air to lift them to the nursery only for my hands to be grabbed by Rhys, worry back in his gaze.

"No magic," he iterated to me firmly and I dropped my hands, immediately guilty.

"Sorry, I forgot," I whispered and his worry was swiftly replaced with remorse.

"Hey, hey, don't worry, it becomes instinct after a while. That's why we're around; to stop you from using it on instinct."

I nodded, biting my lip and he scooped everything up with his shadows and they went to the nursery. Rhys had yet to see it and had no idea that I had painted it while left alone with Mor and Amren. I had it painted a beautiful dark blue, fit for the heir of the night court. On one wall was Velaris and opposite was me and Rhys along with Cassian, Azriel, Mor, Amren, Elain and Lucien.

The minute they stepped it Rhys froze as he stared at the room. "Do you like it?" I asked, suddenly shy. "I painted it so –"

I broke off as he crushed me to him, burying his head in my shoulder. "I love it," he whispered, tears spilling from his eyes.

After a few seconds he stepped back and gave me a gentle smile before turning to the room. We worked to organise the room, Rhys doing most of the heavy work moving some shelves and the crib while I arranged all the toys and blankets, making the nursery all cosy and homey.

"It's looking great! I love the paintings!" Cassian said brightly, leaning on the doorframe, Azriel behind him.

I smiled at him, shoving back the onset of fatigue that swept over me and as we headed down for lunch tried to hide a yawn, underestimating Rhys's ability to notice anything about me. The minute I yawned he scooped me up, asking Cassian and Azriel to send lunch up to our room before flying there. Or at least I assumed so, not managing to stay awake long enough to see where we ended up.

Rhysand

I lay next to Feyre, playing with her hair as she slept. The last couple of months had been difficult for us and with all that had happened she hadn't been smiling much lately, or properly relaxing. I just prayed nothing else would happen. Her pregnancy should be one of the happiest moments of our lives, when we should be discussing our future and preparing for the bundle of joy, not worrying about rebellion and assassination attacks.

I rested my hand on her bump, tugging gently at the small glimmer that was now a constant presence beside my mating bond with Feyre, growing stronger by the day. I felt a small tug back on the bond and bit my lip, tears welling in my eyes. I had never dared to dream about this day, the day that I'd have a mate – specifically Feyre – carrying my child.

I never thought I'd see her again when she left with Tamlin under the mountain, not wanting to initiate the bargain when she was happy. I'd never imagined her deciding to stay in the Night court but when she'd found out I'd lied to her and that we were mates – I honestly thought she'd leave there and then, that I'd never get to see that again. That night in the inn had been what had sustained me through that period before I found her at the cabin, that she'd remember what we shared that night, or at least agree to talk. And her accepting the mating bond, I had cried for the first time in decades. I couldn't believe she had accepted the bond, accepted me.

She made a small noise before shifting, curling up closer to me. I wrapped my arms around her as she snuggled into me and I folded my wings around her protectively, swallowing back the snarl in my throat as Amren entered, trays in hand.

"Good, don't snarl at me boy, I won't tolerate it," she said as a greeting, noticing how close it had been. I just nodded stiffly, watching her every movement as she placed the trays on the bedside table before leaving. At least she understood.

"Food?" Feyre mumbled and I smiled lovingly at her, immediately relaxing. I helped her sit up and brought the trays to her, one wing still curled around her.

"I was just tired," she objected as she poked my wing, a small smile on her face, "I'm not ill or injured."

I pouted at her, "You're my mate, I want to take care of you."

"Good thing you didn't growl at Amren then or you'd be animal food."

I snorted at the accuracy of her statement and we fell silent as we dug in, relief in me as I watched her polish the whole meal off, something she hadn't done much of while the morning sickness had her in its grasp. Thankfully it was fading off so she was eating more now then she had been which was a relief to all of us.

Cassian then entered and I sat up, flexing my wings slightly, eyes narrowed. "Kallias is here, he wants to talk to you, alone."

I gave a small growl but Feyre poked me. "Go," she said, "I've wanted to talk to Lucien for a little while as well, alone. We'll kill two birds with one stone."

I gave a tense nod, rising and stalking out the door, relieved that Cassian was staying with Feyre so she wasn't alone though I didn't like the idea of her being alone with Lucien I didn't have a choice. Feeling an ache already growing in me at being separated from my mate I stalked down to where Kallias was. Why the devil did he need to speak to me anyway?

Feyre

Cassian and I made our way downstairs to find Lucien. Cassian was pretty sure he and Elain were back at this point.

"There you are, fox-boy!" Cassian hollered and Lucien turned, scowling.

"Don't call me that!"

"Sorry, Lucy," Cassian replied with a grin. I rolled my eyes and shoved him roughly before stalking over to Lucien.

"I want to talk to you," I said, steering him outside. "I haven't really talked that much with you, especially alone."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Either I've done something wrong or you want to escape a house of overprotective Illyrians."

I snorted. He knew me too well. "That might have been some of the reason…"

"Want to go on a wander around Velaris?"

"Of course," I replied, looping my arm into his.

We strolled around for a while, Lucien's conditions being to tell him if I got tired or felt off and that I wouldn't make him do baby shopping. I promised him I didn't like it that much either.

Suddenly I spotted someone. "Nesta?!"

Nesta turned, a cold look on her haughty face. Her eyes immediately fell on my bump and I felt Lucien pull me closer to him. I grinned slightly. As much as he tried to pretend the echo mating bond he got from my pregnancy didn't affect him, it did.

"Hey Nesta," I said but got nothing. I sighed but decided to keep going. "As you can see, I'm pregnant."

"That's obvious," came the bored reply.

"Yes, well, I know you're still angry at us but please, you're going to be an aunt now –"

"And? Why should I care about the baby? Don't you know what they call you? Rhysand's whore. Clearly he was starting to get bored of you and you got desperate so decided to have a baby so he'd keep you. Well, I suppose you needed to show him you were worth something, slut."

I just stood there; mouth open. I knew she was angry at me but to say something like that! My eyes began to fill with tears when I heard Lucien step forward.

"How dare you!" he snarled, "You take that back! NOW!"

"Why should I? It's all true. Isn't that what she is? Rhysand's whore. The most powerful High Lord. The only reason she went with him. She's playing no different a role than she would've with Tamlin."

"This is coming from the same woman who left their younger sister to keep the family afloat, preferring to sit on her ass all day moaning when she could've actually done something! You disgust me Nesta! And don't think you'll be getting away with this!"

"What are you going to do it about it, huh?" she mocked, pouting her lip. "Oh that's right, nothing. That's what you always did at the spring court, letting others suffer. It's not just that whore's fault that Elain and I are this way, it's yours too."

Lucien was gaping at her now before grabbing me tightly and stalking off in the opposite direction.

"Run away little foxy, run away but you can't run forever!" came Nesta's chilling voice behind us. As soon as we were out of her sight I burst into tears, burying my head in his chest. Lucien just held me close as I sobbed. I didn't know how long it was until I stopped but eventually I just mumbled from encased in his arms "I want to go home."

"Then let's go," he whispered and we walked back which luckily wouldn't take long since we were quite close, Lucien not having wanted me to go too far in case we needed to be back quickly. We were walking into the grand entrance when Rhys walked out, horror and panic on his face.

"Rhysand?" Lucien called and he looked up, his eyes sliding straight past Lucien and onto my tear stained face.

He didn't even say anything but moved straight to me, scooping me up from Lucien and flying to our room which seemed to be becoming a habit of ours. The minute the door was shut he cocooned me in his wings, caressing my cheek. "What happened Feyre darling?"

Just relieving the memories caused me to break down into tears again, my emotions seemed all over the place today. Usually I could just ignore Nesta's comments but today…

I instead brushed against his shield and he let me guide him into my mind where I relieved the memory, showing him what had happened. When the memory ended I could feel him shaking as he pressed me to him. "I'm going to kill her!" he roared, wings flaring, darkness swirling.

"Rhys!" I cried, "Don't! She's my sister."

Rhys trembled and I could feel how taunt the mating bond was as he struggled to control his emotions, his instincts having deemed Nesta's comments as an attack, admittedly verbal, against me. "I know she's your sister," he eventually muttered, teeth grinding, "But she's treated you awfully. I promise I won't kill her," he said at my stern look, "But she should be punished."

I nodded, not even bothering to fight him. He was right. "Do whatever you like," I whispered, "Just keep her alive, please."

"Of course my darling mate," he replied, showing me through the bond how he loved calling me his mate. I relaxed at that, curling into my mate as he showered me with love though I could still feel the anger in him through the mating bond – the anger mostly coming from two of her words 'Rhysand's whore'.