Chapter 77

Two weeks pass by as I train harder. I can create a shield with no effort, but I can’t hold it for very long. That will come with time. I have had to pause my training because I have been feeling weak these past few days.

I know I am running a fever. King Harvey checked my temperature and Emily checked me. I wonder where I got it from.

Opening my eyes aches the rest of my body, I have been in and out of sleep for the past hour.

“Elena.” King Harvey whispers to me at my right side of the bed. I see him kneeling at my side and I try to sit up.

When I groan, he pops up and slips to his side of the bed and helps me sit up, wrapping a warm arm around my shoulders.

“Are you well, Elena?” King Harvey asks as he readjusts so I can rest my head on a pillow he props behind my head and against the headboard.

“I feel very weak.” I say to the best of my ability. It hurts to speak.

King Harvey says nothing as he lights his hand with a soft red flame, he places the healing flame on my forehead, and I sigh at the temporary comfort that washes over my body.

I only feel slightly stronger.

“Anything?”

I blink owlishly, fighting fatigue. “Slight.”

“Lie down.” King Harvey demands as he helps me stretch out in bed. I exhale when he presses another healing flame on my forehead.

“King Harvey… you had something for me?”

My body feels numb from my upper back to my ankles. I wish I had the strength to wiggle my toes. I haven’t been ill in years.

“Yes, my mate. Your crown.” King Harvey replies lovingly.

I don’t even have the energy to blush at my husband.

I smile. “You wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Yes. I am sorry it is late.”

“No, no. I am happy just to be with you. Can I please see it, King Harvey?”

King Harvey pulls the crown from the side table. I didn’t even see him put it there.

Gingerly, he shows it to me, and it is exactly what his sketch showed.

The golden wolf has red ruby eyes, and I notice the soft pink shine on the outside from where I had colored it in, in his sketch. The outside flourish of the golden crown makes me gasp, he has added a simple swirling curl at either end of the wolf. A thin golden wire, just pure beauty.

Cautiously, King Harvey places the crown on my head and smiles.

He opens his mouth to speak, but Beta Tom rushes in.

“I am so sorry, King Harvey and Luna Queen Elena, but you are late for your speech, Elena!” Beta Tom is pale and out of breath, obviously considered by this situation.

Pathetically, I look over at King Harvey and try to move. I can’t.

“My wife is unwell, Beta Tom. I refuse to leave her side.” King Harvey says to Beta Tom with not an ounce of hesitation.

“King Harvey, I understand, truly. I am sorry you are unwell, Elena. But we need someone to give the speech. The people are waiting, this is a televised event!”

King Harvey hums. “Beta Tom, would you like the honor of having your name out as King Harvey’s speaker?”

Beta Tom’s mouth drops open. “Really? Me?”

“Yes. I will add to your pay as well, Beta Tom. You need to take care of Emily.”

Beta Tom looks at me and I weakly smile, hoping I don’t like absolutely insane.

“I will do it.” Beta Tom takes out his phone. “Please email me the speech, King Harvey.”

“You shall read the treaty Elena wrote. The two paragraphs before that are thanking everyone for being kind.” King Harvey retrieves his phone and sends it to him. “Good luck and thank you, Beta Tom.”

With a nod, Beta Tom is gone.

King Harvey leaves for a moment and rapidly returns with a glass of water. He helps me sit up, but I shake my head, unwilling to drink.

“King Harvey, I am too weak.”

King Harvey’s eyes soften instantly. “Please, you need a little water and rest.”

At the sight of his gentle eyes, I have no choice. I take a sip of water and it burns. I cough and turn away from King Harvey, who pulls me into him and helps me lie down. When I feel heat on his hand burning into my arm, I know he is healing me again.

Still, my body aches and I have no choice, I shut my eyes to rest.

I hope things get better soon.

When I awake it is almost nighttime. King Harvey is still lying beside me, looking at his phone. I recognize the royal seal at the end of the page he is reading, and it must be my treaty.

“It went well, Elena.” King Harvey whispers. He is oddly silent after, staring at me.

“What?”

“Are you any better?”

“I do feel more stable…” I whisper and taste the sickness in my mouth. It is a rotting plastic taste. I want to reach for the water, but King Harvey has already understood what I want, and he hands me the glass of water.

I drink steadily and feel a bit hungry.

Again, King Harvey’s gaze is intense and very stern. I wonder what he is thinking.

“Elena…” King Harvey starts but says nothing.

“Tell me!” I urge. “Am I dying?!”

“Your scent… has multiplied.”

“I have a twin? Emily?”

King Harvey chuckles. “You are with child.”

“I am pregnant!?”

“Yes!” King Harvey picks me up and holds me to his chest, hugging me softly to not squeeze me. That doesn’t stop him from kissing me so passionately that I pull away to gulp air aggressively. I hate that I know I look like a fish, but between the news, my illness, and the kiss the room is spinning violently.

I do what I can and run my hand down his face and feel he is shaking lightly. It is pure excitement pumping through his body and the smile on his face couldn’t be ripped off.

“Oh, oh this is a lot, King Harvey.”

It hits me.

I am pregnant. A baby will be my responsibility forever. As will my husband, as will our people, as will Emily. Then Emily’s kids. I will keep a close eye on Beta Tom too.

This is a lot.

King Harvey rocks me in his arms as I stay silent.

“You are pale, Elena. Please, do not stress yourself. You can’t handle it now.”

“This is so much, King Harvey.” I whisper in stupefied awe.

“It will be a lot. But I will be with you always and help. Our child is my responsibility as much as yours. Elena, I will not abandon you.”

“…what if our kid ends up like my dad?”

“Elena,” King Harvey starts firmly as he looks down at me. “There is no way we will create a…mess that your father is.”

I know King Harvey took his time describing my father and I can’t help but laugh.

“We will make sure our child is a good one.”

“Yes, Elena. They all will have your heart that I admire so much. I love you. Thank you for the blessing of our first child, Elena.”

“I love you too, thank you for being my husband and their father.”

King Harvey grins genuinely, widely. “I can’t wait!”

“How many children do you want?”

“Several!” King Harvey laughs, overjoyed.

I would do anything for him to always be this happy.

As terrified as I am, I am happy too. This is a new chapter in our lives, and it is exciting.