The Living Dead

Chapter 14

"How can I possibly move someone up when I cannot even trust the people that I see now everyday?"

Kent patted Perdita on the shoulder. "You can trust me."

"Seen not heard, Kent," Gregor sighed as he stood at the table, arms folded over his chest. "And Perdita, it's not just the generals that knew about this whole thing. Barrett's men knew, Luxa knew-"

"Yes, Gregor, I am foolish enough to go around telling everyone of what goes on in here." Luxa sent him a glare, though it was ruined as she was also snuggling Zander at the same time. He was rather fussy that morning. Gregor thought that his teeth were hurting him, the way he was whining. "If anything, look to Mareth."

"Excuse me?" Mareth, sobered up from the night before, looked about ready to go off on any of them. "Me? I had nothing to do with this stupid plan. And if I wanted Barrett dead, I'd do it my damn self."

"Mareth, enough," Perdita sighed as she continued to stare down at the map.

"No. I'm tired of being the one that you all-"

"It is your final weeks. Do not make waves now," Perdita told him with a sigh. Then she lifted her head to look at Luxa. "Has Barrett awakened?"

"No," she told the older woman, looking off then as Zander wiggled in her arms. "Of the two men that survived with him, one is awake, but he knows nothing. The Overlander spoke with him."

Gregor shook his head slightly. "He says that they were flying when one of the men noticed a group of gnawers. They were too close to the territory of Regalia for comfort and Barrett thought it best to go investigate. The second the fliers were close enough to get, the gnawers began jumping, ripping at their wings. Barrett sent the man that I spoke with back to Regalia to get help. That is the last he saw of them, as by the time he came back with the people from Regalia, it was over."

"Why did they leave Barrett and this other man behind instead of kill them?" Mareth asked. "Or did Barrett kill all the gnawers?"

"I don't know," Gregor said with a frown. "I guess that Barrett and his men won. I guess."

"Hmmm."

"What are you suggesting, Mareth? That Barrett asked to be attacked? To be put into a coma?" Luxa was glaring at him then. "If that is what you are suggesting, then perhaps it is a good thing that you are on your way out. You-"

"Luxa, he was just asking," Gregor sighed. "Calm down."

She ignored him. "The real problem isn't my generals, Perdita. It is your damn scouts once again fucking everything up. You always mess things up with the people that you choose to raise in rank. You never do it based off anything real. You send scouts here and soldiers there without any idea what you are doing. You want to be Solovet? Well you failed. Again."

"Me? Me, Luxa? You are the one that sounds like a foreigner now. You are the one that cannot even keep your royal guard from falling apart, but less your army. If anything, Solovet would be disappointed in you, Luxa, not me. I am not the one bringing a bastard into the world, now am I?"

"That would involve a man being remotely interested in you and let's face it, Perdita. Even women aren't interested in you."

"Hey." Gregor gave Luxa a look while Mareth frowned and tried to lay a hand on Perdita's shoulder. She dodged him though.

"You're the same child you always were, Luxa. You are upset because your little lover got hurt and now you're going to take it out on me? As if I want another general to die? To be gone? So I have to start from the beginning? Are you that stupid?"

"Perdita," Mareth warned, but she ignored him.

Kent, for his part, was overly enjoying himself at the sight of his cousin and Perdita go at it. Gregor rarely saw Perdita snap like that, but he could tell she had been stressed and Luxa had just broken something inside of her.

"Am I that stupid? No, I am not. You are nothing, but a worthless lowborn that can occasionally swing a sword in the right direction. And recently, not even that. You just sit behind these maps and take credit for the things I do."

"You do? You do? What have you done, Luxa, but gotten us tangled up with the banished and now, once again, brought upon injury to one of your little…boys. If anyone caused Barrett to get injured or Gregor the thousands of times you send him out on frivolous adventures, it is you," Perdita accused then. "Admit it. You like when they are injured and need you and seeking your approval. It's pathetic, Luxa, the way you-"

"Enough. Both of you." Mareth grabbed Perdita's arm then, but she jerked away from him.

"You stupid, worthless, idiot." Luxa shifted Zander to one arm then as she glared the older woman down from across the table. "You dare insult me? I am your queen as well as your employer. And you might not be able to end Mareth's career, but I can easily end yours."

"Luxa." Gregor went to grab her by the shoulders then, but she just looked over his, staring Perdita down. Or at least attempting. The older woman only shook her head slightly before looking up at Mareth.

"Will you still take me and my mother to the Fount with you?"

Mareth looked shocked for a moment before slowly saying, "Well…if you want. But Perdita-"

"Then I'm moving to the Fount." She looked back at Gregor and Luxa. "Have fun replacing us all Luxa. And when your city fails, just remember, I tried to help you."

Mareth left with Perdita, who didn't look back once at them. Kent just stood around for a moment before quickly heading after them. Then it was just Gregor, the even more whinny Zander, and the beyond pissed Luxa.

"Lux-"

"I'll run my realm myself before I ever let someone like that tell me what to do."

"You have got to go apologize or something."

"I do not have-"

"Luxa, we can't do this alone. You know that. Perdita is-"

"You will be my acting head of the military for the next three days. Then we will be married and I will make Barrett my head. If he is not awake yet, I will bring one of his top men to the position until he is."

"Barrett. You think that I am going to let Barrett be-"

"You will you do as I say, Gregor," she said, her eyes meeting his. "And if you will not, you might as well go join the little traitors in the Fount."

"His gums seem healthy," Howard remarked as he held Zander's mouth open, inspecting the area that his two teeth used to be. "He sure is whining about them though."

"He's just a baby."

"He really is." When Howard let him go, Zander turned his head, looking away. "What's wrong, Zander? You don't like me?"

"Lucka?"

"Luxa's busy," Gregor told him with a sigh. They were in Zander's bedroom, Howard coming by around the little toddler's naptime after he got off duty at the hospital. He wanted to get a good look at the boy, he said. Gregor also knew though that Howard really wanted to look at him as well.

"I heard that there was quite the commotion this morning, after the news of Barrett broke," Howard said slowly as he gave Zander a pat on his head before reaching into his pocket. He had come prepared, apparently, and had some sort of a pastry for the toddler, who happily took it. Then he looked at Gregor. "With Mareth and Perdita?"

"Well, they both quit, so…"

"What are you going to do?"

What was he going to do? Right. Because al of Luxa's problems were Gregor's to fix. Duh. What was he thinking?

"I think I might have to, you know, go to Perdita's place. I went by Mareth's room, but they weren't there. I think I just need to smooth things over." Gregor shook his head. "It's not like I can really let Perdita and Mareth just leave."

"Yes. Kent tells me that he has been being a very big help to Perdita. He will be most lost if she leaves."

Gregor frowned then before shaking his head. Did Howard not…know?

"Uh, I think your brother thinks that he's going back to the Fount with Perdita and Mareth."

"What do you mean?"

"Howard, do you and Kent not…talk or whatever?"

"Talk about what?"

Gregor used to wish for an older brother or even a younger one. Being stuck with two sisters your entire life wasn't always a blessing. In some regards Hazard had taken the younger brother role and Howard the older. But he always thought that a real brother he would be able to talk to better. He would tell everything.

…But apparently Howard was the same with Gregor as he was with Kent. Huh.

"Kent kind of, you know, has a, well, crush or whatever on Perdita."

"He wants to crush what?"

"No. Like…like he has…" Gregor scratched the back of his head. "He sort of thinks that he's in love with her or something. I'm not too-"

"Perdita?" Howard frowned, looking around the room before back at Gregor. Then, in a softer tone even though they were alone, he said, "Perdita? Are you for certain?"

"Yeah, I know."

"She is too old for me!"

"I know."

"She is too old for-"

"I know, Howard. Okay? I thought that you knew."

He only shook his head slightly. "Why would he…what…"

"He says that he likes, uh, err, well, that he is too mature for younger women."

"Kent. Kent said this?"

"I know."

"It would be one thing if she was…someone else. But Perdita is not…" Howard sighed. "Gregor, you have to have heard what people say. I always assumed, like most others, that she was not interested in…men."

"Other than Mareth."

"I've always thought that she was just possessive over him. And the way she carries herself…I just thought…everyone always says-"

"That is a very costly rumor to be spreading, Howard," Gregor said with a frown. "If she is, fine, whatever. In the Overland at least. Here, you guys aren't the most becoming of new things. So it would probably help if you stopped saying it so much."

"I'm just…amazed that Kent would…enjoy…Perdita."

"Yeah, you're not the only one."

"Is she…accepting towards him or-"

"I do not think she understands that he is…interested in that. Mareth though is very upset over it."

Howard let out a long sigh. "Then perhaps it will be best that Perdita leave for the Fount, so that Kent can stay here and officially join the military."

"I'm not going to screw Perdita's career because your brother's trying to get all perverted with her."

Howard gave him a look for that before just shaking his head. "He is only confused. Yes. Confused. And I will…err…Father will talk to him. When they come for the wedding. They will be here tomorrow, after all, to introduce Stellovet to her prospected husband. While he is here, he will talk to Kent. He will explain things to him."

"York. You want York to explain women to your brother?"

"Why not? My mother is younger than my father by nearly ten years. He will explain to him the importance of marrying younger."

"York," Gregor said slowly. "York will explain that."

"He has never strayed from his marriage. Why would-"

"I don't really think marriage is Kent's concern."

"Then just let Kent and Perdita…do whatever it is that they are going to do so he can get it out of his system and move on with life."

Zander was finished with his treat by that point and wanted some attention. Gregor only sighed before leaning over to kiss his head before moving to tuck him into his bed, making sure his little tiger was right next to him.

"Go sleep. I'll leave a torch, okay? So it won't be dark. I have to go talk to Howard now, alright?"

Zander whined a little when Gregor and Howard got out of the room, but didn't get out of bed to go after them, which was always a good thing.

"Where's Hazard?" Howard asked as they walked into the sitting room. "He's still in Regalia, yes? I have not seen him in a number of days though. Usually when you are injured, he is under your feet trying to do things for you."

"We're fighting."

"Over what? The child? The wedding?"

"No, Howard, he's not you."

"I-"

"He wants to help run a…brothel at the East Wall."

Howard sat down at that one, on one of the couches. Gregor took the other.

"Oh. That is certainly an…ambitious career endeavor."

"Luxa's ticked. I don't know how she found out, but she did. She's trying to disown him."

"Well, that's a complete lie. The boy would have to kill her before she turned her back on him."

"Yeah, I know, but it's what she says."

Howard only shook his head. "What has made him decide to go this way in his life?"

"He can't…you know that he's…well, Hazard's awkward."

"Extremely."

"And he thinks that it will be a good way of meeting women."

"That's one way to look at it, I suppose."

Gregor only shook his head. "Anyways, though, I really wanted to ask you about, uh, my bandages."

"Your head wound?"

"Yeah. I mean, I don't wanna have them on when, well, when my mom gets here, really," he admitted. "But at the wedding either. I know Luxa isn't like a normal chick, but I don't wanna ruin her wedding day either."

"They are rather…obvious."

"Yeah. And-"

"If you are dumb enough to think that I care about this stupid wedding more than your health, you are delusional."

Gregor grimaced at the sound of Luxa's voice, not even turning to look as she appeared in the doorway to the sitting room.

"And I highly doubt your mother would rather look at the scar you are going to have on the back of your head when the bandages are removed either." She came into the room then, easily falling onto the couch next to Gregor. "You will get them off when it is time."

"That was my question, Lux, though, before you showed up," he said with a frown before glancing back at Howard, who was only staring at his cousin. "Are they ready to come off yet, Howard? If not, then when? Do you know?"

He was just staring at Luxa though. "Where were you, Luxa?"

"Hmmm?"

"Where were you?"

"Checking on Barrett and the other injured soldier." She shrugged slightly. "Not that it is any of your business, cousin, but I care about my soldiers."

"Just not your army head."

She only shrugged slightly before looking at Gregor. "Where's Zander?"

"Napping."

"Where were you really, Luxa?" Howard was not letting up.

"What is your problem, Howard? I was with-"

"Barrett is in surgery again now and I know that for a fact. So where were you?"

She bit her tongue, Gregor could tell, before looking off. "Did I say Barrett? I meant I went to visit-"

"Tell me the truth. You cannot lie to me."

"Howard, I do not know what you are-"

"I know what tomorrow is as well as you. And if you are trying to ruin my sister's marriage-"

"Oh, please." Luxa rolled her eyes. "The man's age and your sister's age is what's going to ruin the marriage. The fact that she has already had her fair share of men is going to ruin-"

"Luxa, shut up." Gregor gave her a hard look then while Howard only set his jaw. "Seriously, Luxa, what is your problem today?"

"My problem? I have no problem. Everyone else is taking defense when I tell the truth," she defended. "Stellovet has been with many men. It is not a secret. It will serve to make her wedding day less painful, I suppose, but-"

"Luxa is not feel well," Gregor said then, standing up. "Really, Howard, she's not. Today. Or yesterday. She's really hurting, you know, about the baby."

Howard ignored him though as he stood. "I have about tired of you, Luxa, and your-"

"Oh, be quiet, Howard. It was a joke. You are always so serious about things." She shook her head. "I was not even bothering Stellovet's new husband. I do not care about her new husband, much less her. I was dealing with Octavius. So leave. Now. Before I get angry with you as well."

Howard still only stared at her for a second before speaking, though it was to Gregor. "Come see me in the hospital before your mother arrives. When we change your bandages that day, I will decide if you need new ones or not."

Gregor only nodded slightly. "Thank you."

"Good day, Overlander. Luxa."

Gregor let him leave in silence then before addressing Luxa. She had that defiant look on her face, ready for whatever he was about to throw at her.

"What is wrong with you?"

"I-"

"No, Luxa, really. What is wrong with you? What wires are crossed up there? Huh? Two people in one day? You have pissed two of our friends off in one day? And there's no telling what you did to Octavius-"

"His bastard is not going to harm my son, Gregor. I-"

"You're unbelievable." He let out a slight, humorless laugh. "Truly."

"I- Where are you going?" she asked with a frown as he got to his feet. "Gregor-"

"Zander's napping. You're watching him now."

"But where are you go-"

"To go fix another one of your mistakes." He turned and headed out of the room. "Unbelievable."

Walking through the streets of Regalia was kind of fun. It had been awhile since Gregor had done so and since news of him being their new king broke, many of the people were ecstatic to meet him.

Well, some were. Others, not so much.

Still, the children were the most excited. And as Regalia had been at peace technically for months at that point, all of the kids had much free time. They were out playing in the streets and running around when Gregor was out there. Most of them were very happy to greet him and some even ran up to touch him, just to be able to say that they could. Gregor decided then that no matter what, when he did become the King, he would never walk around with guards like Luxa, not if it could hamper that sort of reaction.

He still wanted Luxa guarded, of course, but he knew that he could take care of himself. And if people actually accepted him, actually wanted him for their king, then how would he look, never spending any time with them one-on-one? Guards would only get in the way.

By the time he got to Perdita's home, Gregor had learned way more names and promised many children too many things to keep it all straight. He just knew that he would need to come out of the palace more often and get to know them all. The children were the only chance Regalia had, after all. And if Gregor got in good with them, then he was pretty much set as the King.

The partition to Perdita's little apartment was open when he got there, allowing him to see inside. The first thing he noticed was Mareth sitting on the couch, with Perdita laid partially over him, her head rested in his lap. When Gregor opened his mouth to call out his entrance though, Mareth raised a hand to him before putting a finger to his lips. Perdita was sleeping.

"Hey," Gregor whispered as he came in. Mareth only nodded at him. "I wanted to make sure you guys were…cool or whatever."

"I promise you are the last person she wishes to see," Mareth whispered back. "Well, your fiancée is the last person. You are the second to last."

"I'm sorry. I just…you guys know that you can't leave. For a lot of reasons." Gregor came further into the apartment, glancing over at the corner. With all the torches in the apartment then, he was able to see Perdita's mother, sleeping in her bed. "I mean, you can, if you want, fine, but Perdita is the head of the army. She can't quit."

"Luxa made it very clear-"

"Luxa is fighting with everyone today. Believe me. It was nothing personal against Perdita. She's just…worried about Barrett." Gregor hated the way those words felt on his tongue. "She's upset and is taking it out on everyone. And maybe there is something wrong with the scouts. They should have known about those gnawers. So Luxa wasn't completely wrong."

"I never said she was. But she is not going to treat Perdita as if she is…trash."

"But you can. Right?"

Mareth laid a hand on Perdita's head as she laid still against him. "We have reconciled, Overlander. And I will not harm her again, so-"

"Funny, isn't it, how this is what it took for the two of you to make up?"

Clenching his jaw, Mareth said, "I do not know what you are implying, Overlander, but Perdita asked me to come home with her today. I did not…capitalize on you and Luxa ousting her."

"We did not oust her. Or at least I didn't." Gregor only glared back at him. "Where is Kent then, Mareth? Did he not leave with you?"

"I am not his sitter. I do not know where-"

"If the two of you wake my mother the way you woke me, I am going to be very upset." Perdita sat up suddenly then, blinking before focusing her eyes on Gregor. "What do you want, Overlander?"

"Well, in short, I want you to come back to the war room so that we can get back to work on finding out what those gnawers were doing or planning."

"I have been relieved of my duties and-"

"You know as well as I do that you have not. So come back-"

"Mareth and I are moving to the Fount." She shifted on the couch so that she was sitting next to the man, who only crossed his arms, staring back at Gregor. "And off his retirement and the money I have, we will be able to find my mother a much better place to stay."

"Together. The two of you are going to live together?" Gregor snorted. "Oh that will do wonders for your horrible friendship, won't it?"

"Who asked you, Overlander?" Mareth stood then. "I think it is time that you go."

"Luxa wants to make Barrett head of the army, when he is well. Me until the wedding. Do you really want that to happen, Perdita?" He was only looking at her then, knowing that there was no way to talk down to Mareth. He had wanted to take Perdita to the Fount with him for awhile by that point, after all. "What would Solovet say, knowing that you just gave up? When-"

"I did not give up. I had no choice, but to leave. Luxa was-"

"I get it, okay. You're stressed about the Reclaimer and Henry and Luxa's all messed up about the wedding and the baby. Then you throw Barrett into it and she's upset. And now you're upset with her. Which is totally understandable. I'm upset with her right now actually," Gregor said. "But you can't turn your back on Regalia. Do you really want to live in the Fount anyways? The Fount? I know you well enough to know that you hate the Fount more than anyone."

"Well, I do not hate it," she said slowly. "I just do not like the idea of it, I guess, but Mareth says-"

"Do you honestly think that Mareth is going to care anything about you when you get there if he does not even now?"

"Watch yourself, Gregor." Mareth stood then glancing down at Perdita. "We are going to go the Fount, Perdita, and you know it. It is what we both want."

"You want to uproot your mother then?" Gregor asked her. "For Mareth? The two of you are not even…together. He just wants to bring the two of you along so that he does not feel guilty."

Mareth walked over to Gregor then, laying a heavy hand on his shoulder. "You are going to leave now, Overlander, before I-"

"Were you not the one that told me that you were finished with him just yesterday? Remember when he came into the war room? Drunk? What about that?"

"We…" She glanced at Mareth before shaking her head. Gregor knew what had happened anyways. To begin with, he had a feeling Perdita never planned to really get rid of Mareth. She was just angry with him. Then when Luxa started yelling at her, she just fell back on him because that was what she always did. It was just out of habit. "Mareth and I are very happy as we are."

"Yes. Here. You're happy here. But in the Fount-"

"Luxa does not even want you back, Perdita," Mareth argued then, tightening his grip on Gregor's shoulder. He was trying to hurt him. "That is why Gregor is here. I guarantee that she will not want you back. You know who will always take you back? Me. I am ready to go to the Fount today to go finalize on a place for us. For your mother. And with our combined finances, we will be fine. The Overlander is only trying to save himself. He knows that the army will fail without you. He-"

"That's exactly what I am doing. I am not trying to hide it." He finally shoved Mareth off him. "I care about your wellbeing and I do not think you will be happy in the Fount, but you are grown. If you go, then you go. But I also know that we cannot run the army alone, Luxa, Barrett, and I. We can hardly eat dinner together, the three of us, without fighting. You are the one that keeps us whole. You can't leave."

"I-"

"What about Solovet's army? You are ready to watch that crumble without you? She left it for you. It was yours when she left. It is yours now. You are the only one that she would trust with it. You're willing to throw that away because Luxa was acting extra bitchy one day? Seriously?"

Mareth knew then that he has lost as Perdita got to her feet, nodding her head. He looked ready to hit Gregor, he was so angry, but resorted to just letting out a loud, frustrated groan. It was loud enough to wake up Perdita's mother, who immediately called out for her. She actually did shove Mareth slightly for that, before going over to check on her mother.

"Why would you do that, Gregor?" Mareth hissed at him when Perdita was out of hearing distance. "I-"

"It's not like you were going to, like, marry her or anything. You were going to take her to the Fount so you could tease her some more with other women. You know you were. So do not act as if I stopped you from doing some sort of gallant deed, Mareth."

"You have no idea what I was-"

"You were going to stay away from all other women then? In the Fount?" Gregor snorted. "Yeah right. You know as well as I do that you couldn't do that. You would be with all those other ex-generals and would get carried away. You're all she has, dude, and you do a shitty job at making her happy."

"Oh and Luxa is so happy with you? Explains why-"

"Luxa isn't Perdita and I'm not you, so-"

"Yet you seem to want everyone to be just as valiant as you. As pure as you." Mareth snorted. "Get over yourself. You killed more than me. You have so much blood on your hands that it's up to your elbows by now. Shoulders even. You look down on me, on Barrett, on York, on anyone for not being you, but it's really just you trying to make yourself feel better. You're just as guilty as everyone, Gregor. The weight is yours to carry too. So you only have relations with Luxa. You think you make you a better man than me? Do you? Do you really?"

"I sent my mother's nurse away for the day."

Gregor glanced over at Perdita, who was speaking loud enough for them to hear. She was still looking at her mother though, over in the corner.

"I have to find someone to stay with her. I-"

"I am fine, Perdita," Gregor heard her mother say then. "I can-"

"No, Mother, you can't. Mareth, will you-"

He shoulder checked Gregor then as he walked passed him, which about got him killed because Gregor was more than over playing into him at that point.

"I'll stay with her," Mareth said as he went over to Perdita. Touching her gently on the shoulder, he said, "If that is what you want."

"That is…This is what I want."

"Fine." He let out a long breath then. "Go with the Overlander."

"Mareth-"

"It's your job, it's your life."

"You are not mad at me?"

He only shrugged. "Go. It's going to take a lot more to get Luxa on your side again than just mentioning Solovet."

She hugged him then, rather hard, but Mareth didn't seem to mind. He only patted her on the back and promised that when her mother's night nurse showed up, he would head over to the war room to check-in on her.

"You ready?" Gregor asked when Perdita came over to him. She just went to get her sword belt, which she had taken off, before nodding.

He felt bad for her, really, as even though he knew she would be unhappy in the Fount, he also knew that she wasn't completely happy in Regalia. Not really. It was situation where you'd lose either way and at least the way he wanted her to go, Regalia would thrive under her leadership. And that was a win in some regards.

Right?

"Here you are."

"Here I am."

"I need you to come with me to the war room because-"

"Gregor, can you tell?"

He frowned. "Tell what?"

"Can you tell? Like tell?"

Coming further into the room, Gregor walked over to the bed, where Luxa was sitting on the edge of her, her shirt rolled up slightly. Zander was behind her, playing with some toys while singing, err, making noises.

"Can I tell what?" Gregor came to stand in front of her as Luxa only sat up taller, holding her shirt up higher. "What's wrong?"

"It is bothering me. Can you see it?"

"Your stomach?" He reached out to pat it, but she batted his hand away.

"Gregor-"

"Showing? Are you showing? Is that what you want to know?"

"Yes. Can you see it?"

"Do you want me to be able to?"

"No."

"Then no."

"Gregor-"

"What's wrong, Luxa?" He stared down at her. "Huh? Is that why you've been so bad today?"

"I am not a child, Gregor. I was not bad."

"You were bad. You were very bad. Wasn't she, Zander?"

"Lucka. No."

"Yeah. Tell her no."

"No."

"He's telling you no, idiot." Luxa dropped her shirt then. "If you did not know I was pregnant, could you tell? That is what I am concerned with."

"No, Luxa. I couldn't."

"What about in a dress?"

"I don't know. No, probably not. Why? Are you afraid of the wedding?"

She nodded slightly then. "I do not want…it is already rumored, I am sure, that this is why we are getting married. And I just-"

"I love you," he told her then. "You know that. And would we be getting married right this second without you being pregnant? No. But eventually, yeah, probably, we would have. You know that. I've told you that before."

She only shook her head though, not saying anything. Gregor looked behind her then at Zander, who was still happily playing with some of his toys.

"Hey, Zander, come here for a second."

He glanced at Gregor before picking up his tiger and crawling over to the edge of the bed, lifting up his arms to be picked up. Gregor only shook his head before sitting down on the edge of the bed as well, pulling the toddler into his lap. Luxa was watching him though, curious.

"You know Luxa's about to have a baby, huh, buddy?"

Zander, knowing he was being spoke to, lifted his eyes up to Gregor and just watched him. Luxa frowned though.

"Gregor-"

"He has to know eventually, Lux."

They had never explicitly told Zander about the pregnancy. Part of it was because neither of them thought that he would understand what they were trying to tell him. The other part of it was it was just so new for both of them. Still, Gregor figured one way to make Luxa less self-conscious about it would before Zander to know what was going on.

"Lucka." Zander was done with Gregor and reached out to pat her.

"You know what a baby is, Zander? Huh?" Gregor kissed the top of his head to get his attention again. "It's in Luxa's tummy. You know that?"

Zander only opened his mouth before giggling and reaching over to poke Luxa's stomach. "Tunny."

"T-Tummy?" Gregor bounced him slightly. "Is what you said, buddy, huh?"

"Tunny." He looked up at Gregor before grinning at Luxa. She slowly started to smile too. "Tunny."

"That's close enough." She reached over to grab Zander's cheeks in her hands, grinning back at him. "When did you learn how to say that, Alexander? Huh? Were you hiding it from us?"

Zander could tell then that they were excited about what he had said and began to repeat it. "Tunny! Tunny!"

"Good job, buddy. Look at you. I'm all worried about you learning to talk about you knew all along." Gregor nuzzled the top of the toddler's head, which only made the boy laugh louder. "He can say tummy, Luxa."

"I know." She reached over to take him into her own lap, Zander only snuggled up against her, patting her stomach.

"Tunny."

Luxa lifted him then with both arms, almost cradling him. Then she lifted him up, so his stomach was in front of her and she was able to blow a kiss on it. Zander loved this and batted at her head with giggles.

"Lucka!"

"Is that your tummy? Huh? Zander?"

"Tunny!"

"Yes, it is." She kissed it again before slowly setting him back down in her lap. "Oh, baby. Little baby."

Zander smiled at Gregor then when Luxa snuggled him up to her, but Gregor only stared at Luxa, watching her. She seemed to be in a better mood in that moment, probably due to the fact that Zander had just learned a new word. That always excited her. No matter how hard she played it, she loved Zander.

"Hey, Lux?"

"Mmmm?" She was still staring down at Zander, stroking his little arm as he sat in her lap, content.

"You made Howard and Perdita pretty upset today."

"Mmmm."

"So…"

"I will speak with Howard tomorrow, when his mother and father arrive. I have to see the rest of his family anyways."

"And Perdita?"

"Of course she is not truly going to leave, Gregor," she sighed. "We both said things we should not have. I will have to go…speak with her. Maybe even…even…"

"Apologize?"

Luxa only swallowed. "If it comes down to it, I very well might."

"Well, I have some good new for you then."

"What do you mean?"

"I might have left the palace today and-"

"Gregor-"

"No need to apologize!" He tried to sound excited, like it was some big, great surprise. "I already did."

She was not excited, though his tone did make Zander clap his hands and giggle, thinking that Gregor was still all worked up over his big word reveal.

"She is here. In the war room." Luxa clicked her tongue. "That is what you were talking about when you first came in here."

"Yep. So let's-"

"Gregor-"

"-go see her. Come on, buddy." He reached to take Zander, who easily went over to him. "I know someone who wants to hear all about the new word you can say. You wanna go see Perdita? Huh?"

"Yes! Tunny!"

"Good boy." Gregor stood then before looking back at Luxa. "Come on. Let's-"

"I hate you, Overlander."

"Yeah, well, you love me too, so it all turns out okay, huh?"

She only stared at him for a moment before slowly getting to her feet. "You are lucky I am in a relatively good mood, else I would have gone ahead and gotten rid of her just to spite you."

"Yeah," Gregor sighed. "I had been afraid of it. But Zander's got my back, don't you, buddy?"

"Tunny."

Gregor kissed his cheek. "You're so smart. Isn't he smart, Lux?"

"You are not going to distract me, Gregor."

"Yeah, well, it was worth a shot."

"Tunny," Zander repeated then, as if to test the waters and see if they were still excited for him. Luxa just took him into her own arms with a sigh.

"He wants to distract you too."

"I've noticed." Luxa stared down at Zander, who responded by kissing her cheek. She only said, "Why do you have to always take your Father's side?"

Gregor smiled then because she could not be that mad at him if she was talking like that. And Zander was even happier when Luxa finally set him down and let him run free. Both Luxa and Gregor allowed themselves to enjoy that moment too, because they knew that the days leading up to their wedding would be spent dealing with that gnawer ambush and its consequences.

Because if the gnawers wanted to get that close to the gates just to attack Barrett, there was no telling what they would do the day of the wedding.