Page 14 of It Varies
“Um, not necessary.”
He laughed.“I was up doing research on pregnant women.Now, I am definitely way too alert.”
Jennika blushed.“Ah.Do you want to come in for tea?”
“For you, I would drink poison.”
“So we will skip that then.”She reached out and took his hand, bringing him into the house.“Ivy is out for the night.Sable is probably in a corner shaped like a mouse or a bat.”
“Fair enough.Is she stressing?”
“A little.Vine makes her charms that help.They break when the power runs out.”
He was surprised.“That is an advanced skill.”
“She does about a dozen of them per day.Different strengths.”
He looked shocked.“Is that what is causing her the strain?”
“No,” Vine spoke from the kitchen.“I was kidnapped at thirteen, my legs were broken, and I was held for a ransom that no one paid.I got free on my own, but now I limp, and my voice is shit.”
Xiroth growled.
Jennika looked at him and understood.She looked at Vine and was surprised that her expression was amused.
“Yeah, that is the standard alpha reaction.I am just too fucking cute to say that kind of shit casually.”Vine chuckled.
Jennika tried to look at her with new eyes, and she blinked.It was like every bit of cuteness that could be packed into a human was in Vine’s body.She was fucking adorable.
“Vine...are you an—”
“Don’t say it.”Vine held up a hand.“If I was supposed to be, I am not one now.And this wristband keeps me looking like a Victorian monster.”She slipped the cuff back on.
It was far larger than anything Jennika had seen her enchant before, and as the metal settled on her skin, it disappeared, and Vine’s gnarled appearance returned.
Xiroth stared and said softly, “Are you amenable to a mate?”
Vine looked at him and laughed.“That word has never been used to describe me.”
Xiroth cocked his head.“I return to my question.If there was a mate that you did not object to, would you agree to consider it?”
Vine gave him a direct look.“I consider anything.If they have a painkiller effect, it is even better.”
Jennika looked at him, and his eyes widened at that.He nodded slowly.“That is someone I know.Not a pixie, but he is monster class.Is that acceptable?”
Vine shrugged.“Won’t know until I know, but monsters don’t scare me.”
Xiroth nodded.“I see.I don’t know where he is, but he may be near since the king has returned.I will try to call him now.”
He took his phone and walked outside.
Jennika looked at him and blinked.“Huh.I guess hehasbeen around a while.”
Vine cocked her head.“It is interesting that he thinks I am a match for a monster.I mean, Iama monster, but it is fascinating that he could figure it out at a glance.”
Jennika laughed and walked over to hug her roomie.“The belly is jumping.Cop a feel.”
Vine laughed hoarsely and gently put her hand on Jenn’s belly.The delicate and careful touch made Jennika blink away tears.Vine was ever so careful with the baby, and it wasn’t even here yet.Ivy grabbed her stomach and whispered plans for trips to the zoo and boy-watching, but Vine just touched her and smiled with a slow, sad smile.“You are getting close.”
