When I get home, I find Wolfie seated next to Aria's feet as she rocks back and forth, looking anxious, rubbing her growing belly, eyes closed. She must be worried sick about me.

I feel bad making her worry, and for the lies I am going to have to tell her. I can't upset her with the truth. I don't know how she will take it. And I don't want her feeling unsafe and worrying about it.

Her eyes open when she must hear my footsteps. Relief fills her eyes, and she gets up. Wolfie gets up and he runs to the direction I just came from. No doubt going to check on Hanser.

"You better have a great explanation, Igor." She has her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

"I'm only an hour late, dove."

"No, it's way passed lunch and you made me eat breakfast and lunch alone. And Wolfie has been spooked since he came here panting. Are you okay? Did something happen out there?" I see all the questions behind her eyes. I love that she's so intelligent but I'm not loving it right now.

"I am fine. I passed by the river for a swim."

"Igor..." she zeroes her eyes at me, and I try to hold her gaze, but I can't. Lying is so hard.I drop the sack on the ground.

"Aria, its fine. Nothing happened." I kiss her forehead before I move past her, and I go to the washroom. I need a bath after that day. Her light steps follow me.

"Do you want food? Or you'll eat later?"

Her softness makes me want to tell her everything. But I don't know how she will react when she finds out I plan to leave tonight.

"I'll pour the water then I'll come and eat." I say, not turning to her. I follow to find her after, and she watches me eat in careful scrutiny.

"Igor, what's going on?" she asks, hands folded when I finish the food and I'm about to go place the plate in the kitchen.

I feel like an imbecile for lying to her, but I know she will be worried if I leave and that's not good for the child.

But she is already worried and knowing her she won't even be able to sleep well at night.

I sigh. "I met Hanser in the waterfall."

"Huh?" her mouth drops with panic.

"Don't worry." I place the plate on the floor, and I get closer to her.

"Igor, just talk."

"Wolfie took me to him when I was almost here. Shepherd found out you were alive, and he took him, and his family then sent Hanser to find me and you. His family is in prison."

She takes a moment to process. "He knows I'm alive?" her voice is almost a whisper, unexpressed panic evident even as she tries to be calm.

"He won't get his hands on you, Aria." I assure her.

"Are we even safe here, Igor?" She looks at me expecting me to reassure her.

"No one else is in the forest looking. And me and Wolfie would know if someone got close to our borders." That's the only truth I have right now.

She doesn't look convinced. She looks thoughtful, "But Hanser's family needs to be saved." She looks at me.

"Not at the expense of ours."

"So, what are we going to do?"

I clear my throat. "I planned to kidnap Shamus then using him as a bargaining chip for Hanser's family."

She looks at me dumbfounded. "You are kidding, right?"

"Um...no." I furrow my eyebrows. I am starting to not feel as confident on this plan.

"Shamus is the general of the army of the kingdom. You know they appointed him on merit, right?"

"And I am an orc. It's not a competition." I shrug with a smirk, but she doesn't find it amusing.

"How will you even get him?"

"Well, Hanser is gathering information on his comings and goings. We will catch him alone."

"Igor...I love you. But that is the worst idea I've ever heard." She says.

I can't help chuckling.

"Aria, you just insulted an idea I worked on for hours." I grin.

"Igor, Shepherd and Shamus are ruthless. And how did they find out I'm alive, who told?"

"The doctor."

"So, they know I'm pregnant?"

"Possible." It is a real possibility that they know she's pregnant if they got the information from the doctor. Another layer I need to consider.

"I will not compromise your safety, dove. You know that, right?"

"I know."

"So, what do you think?"

"I think you should help Hanser, but I am not fond of the idea of exposing yourself. It's too risky and Shepherd is too hateful." She states.

It is still baffling that she was once married to such a man. "I agree."

"Where is Hanser right now?"

"I told him to go back home, and I'd be in contact with him."

"You think he left?"

"He has no reason to stay."

"Are you sure he left?"

"I think Wolfie will make sure he does." My lips tip up.

She grins. "I told you Wolfie was a keeper."

"Fine, she is." I concede.

"So where is he going to stay while he waits for you?"

"There is a small cave not far from their house next to the river that me and his family knows. I told him to stay there, and I will find him there with the plan."

She nods. Then she frowns as if in thought. "Why did Shepherd send him alone?"

"Maybe because he knew he could find me. Maybe he thought he could bargain with me about you. And his family is a big motivator."

"I don't know, Igor." She pauses. "How much do you trust your former friend?"

I look at her and I take a moment. I have known him and his family for three generations. I'm not close with his children but I was going to meet them when they were old enough to be able to keep secrets.

But he has always helped me and has never lied to me. Never gave me a reason to doubt him. If he wanted to out me, he could have done that years ago.

"He has never given me a reason not to. But Aria, I don't put anything above you and our child's safety."

She nods. "Okay, I trust you. If you think he is trustworthy then I do too. He did help you save my life. I guess I should give him more credit."

I pick up the plate and I take it to the kitchen. I wash it. "So, what happens if you discover that you actually can't help him? Will he let it go?" She goes to the bedroom, and I follow her.

I hadn't considered that. What if there's nothing I can do for him. Do I just let him, and his family suffer?

"I don't know." I answer honestly.

"I think I may know what to do if everything in the castle is still the same." She says as she gets on the bed and dangles her feet. I close the door behind me.

"Yeah?"

"As you know, many people aren't really fond of my former husband. He is cruel and the guards and other staff are paid peanuts, barely able to survive. Most of them survive themselves by eating scraps from the royal kitchen." She pauses and I sit next to her. "So, you may find someone to bribe. Your friend has some money, right?"

"I would think so."

She nods. "Then pay someone to tell you where the family is and to tell you the shifts around the castle. I think there are bandits for hire that can help for the right price on the East side of Una Mountain. Kidnapping Shamus isn't a plan that I am confident in as it will alarm Shepherd and place him in high alert. He would destroy kingdoms for his general."

I look at her. She doesn't get sad anymore when she talks about him and her former life. I scoot up the bed and I pull her to my lap.

"I'm sorry you were once subjected to that. You never deserved it, my beautiful dove."

She relaxes in my arms, and she rubs her belly. An overwhelming sense of contentment washes over me. I have more than I could have ever asked for. Choosing Aria has been the best decision I have ever made.

"It led me to you." She says after a few moments.

Right then I feel it, movement in her belly.

"Ooh." She lets out.

"Is that the baby?" I ask a dumb question.

"Yes, you felt it too?" she asks.

"Yes." I place my hand on her stomach again. "Did it hurt?"

"Not particularly, but it...oh. You feel it?"

"That is incredible." The baby moves again, and again and again.

"Wow, they have your strength. Those are some high-power kicks." She grins. They subside after a few more.

I kiss the top of her head. Overwhelmed by a joy I've never known. I know even now that I would do anything for them. I live for them, and I will die first before I allow harm to come to them.

"I love you. Both of you. And thank you for this gift, Aria." I meet her glazed eyes.

"I love you too...so much." She kisses me, and the baby starts kicking again. We both pull away and we laugh.

With the looming threat of Shepherd, I know I need to take extra precautions to make sure they are safe.

"I think we need to find a place to hide you while I'm gone." I tell her later as we get ready for bed.

"You don't think it's safe here?"

"I need to do more to be sure."

"Even if Wolfie is here?"

"Wolfie is great but still I'm going to feel better if you are somewhere else." I take her back to my front and I place my hand on her belly.

"Okay. Do you have a place in mind, or you will go look?"

"I have a place. There is an old cave I used to use but it is a bit far. it's a day's journey from here. But it is far enough, and it is well hidden."

She exhales, sounding sleepy. "Okay, orc."

Her breath evens out after a few minutes and she is asleep. I stay awake and I go through everything again. I need to keep my family safe before I can attempt to help Hanser. I hope everything goes according to plan. They were nothing but kind to me for a long time.

The baby moves again. I smile. But then I feel something weird, something I hadn't noticed before. Could it be possible that...? When I try to feel it more the baby stops. I guess we'd have to wait for the birth to see. Sleep claims me too after a while.

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After chapter thoughts?