Winter – Chapter 30 – 04

“Thom?”

He turned toward the sound of her voice and managed to smile—it didn’t take much trying.  “Morning, Mar.”

“You’ve got that look,” Marin said quietly.  “Is it the fact that you’re expecting an attack inside of the next eighteen hours, or is it something else that I should know about?”

“More the former than the latter,” he said, abandoning his half-washed breakfast dishes and sliding soapy hands around her waist.  She leaned into his chest, closing her eyes for a moment.

“So there is something else bothering you.”

“One or two things,” he admitted.  “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

She stood there in shocked silence, blinking at him for a few moments before she asked, “What?”

He ducked his head slightly, looking away as he felt his cheeks get hot.  There’s no reason that broaching this particular subject should be so bloody uncomfortable.

It momentarily occurred to him that he wasn’t anywhere near ready to be building any cribs or dealing with midnight feedings, though—and neither was anyone else, even with Tala already pregnant, and now Neve, too.

“I just—Phelan asked,” Thom said, still unable to meet her gaze.  “I said that you weren’t, but I realized that I really didn’t know.”

Marin frowned.  “Why would he ask that?  Wait, don’t answer that.”  She pinched the bridge of her nose.  “This has to do with all of that Taliesin and prophecy stuff, doesn’t it?”

“Probably,” Thom said, then sighed quietly, resting his forehead against hers.  “Neve’s pregnant, I guess.”

Marin frowned.  “What does that have to do with us, Thom?”

“I don’t know and I honestly didn’t ask.”  He barely managed to suppress a shiver.  “I don’t think I want to know.”

She sighed and rested her forehead against his shoulder.  “I don’t blame you.”  She straightened after a few moments, looking at him with a faint smile.  “You know, I didn’t come looking for you to get grilled about the consequences of our love life.”

“You didn’t actually answer the question, either,” Thom said.  She’s being evasive.  That can’t be good.

There must have been something close to fear in his eyes, because she laughed.

“If I am, I don’t know it,” she said.  “Honestly, with all the stress and insanity, I’d be surprised if it happens anytime soon.”

Thom nodded, surprised at the sudden regret that replaced the fear that had coiled in his belly.

She’s right, though.  We can’t handle kids right now.  We’ll be lucky to handle what’s already coming.

Like Cariocecus tomorrow.  The Hecate after that and whatever comes after her.  He closed his eyes.

“Please tell me that you’re going to grab some sleep today,” Marin said softly.

“Is that why you were looking for me?”

She smiled.  “I’m pretty transparent when it comes to that kind of thing, aren’t I?”  Her smile faded.  “Thom, I know for a fact that you barely slept last night and you’re not going to sleep tonight because you’re sure we’re going to get attacked as soon as today becomes tomorrow.  You’ve got to get some sleep, though.  I don’t care what it takes to get you to do it, but you’re going to do it.  You’re no good to anyone if you’re exhausted.”

“There’s too much to do, Mar,” he said quietly.  “I can’t sack out now.”

“Two hours isn’t going to kill us,” she said.  “That’s all I’m asking for.  We can handle the prep for two hours without you.  It’s not like I’m asking you to pass out for six or eight hours.”  Her arms tightened slightly around him.  “I don’t want you getting ready to face Cariocecus and his army and feeling like you’re ready to drop from exhaustion.  I don’t want that.”

His eyes slid shut for a moment.  “You’re really worried, huh?”

“You’re my husband and I love you,” Marin said quietly.  “And he’s gunning like crazy for the two of us, though I’ll be damned if I know why.  We need to be at the top of our games, and if you don’t get some sleep, you’re not going to be.  So please, go sleep.”

“All right,” he said.  “Do something for me, though.”

“What?”

“Snag Rory when you go to walk the wards,” he said.  “I know you’re going to do it while I’m asleep.  Don’t do it alone.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Marin said.

“He’s not,” Thom said.  “Just backup.  If I’m going to go get some sleep for you, at least do this for me.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.  “All right. I can do that for you.”

“Thank you,” Thom said.  He kissed her gently, squeezed her against his chest for a moment.

“Are you going to go to sleep now?” she asked.

“After I do the dishes,” he said with a wry smile.  “I promised Tala, and I don’t want to be on the receiving end of our pregnant chef’s temper.”

“She’d take that sword of yours and stick it in you,” Marin said, grinning.  “All right.  Do the dishes.  If you’re not in bed in twenty minutes, though, you’re going to answer to me for it.”

He almost looked forward to getting punished for disobeying, but the weight of her worry stilled his tongue.  He’d be in bed in twenty minutes, if only to make her happy.  She was right, after all. Exhausted, he wasn’t going to be of any use to anyone—and if they were going to make it through to the day after tomorrow, he was going to need to be at the top of his game.

Just like everyone else.

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