They headed back at full speed, Etani almost ripped out of her skin and onto the neck of his horse.
With one arm tight around her, they headed back to Ayathian at a speed she didn't think was possible for horses. But they galloped at full speed all night, reaching the city a few hours before dawn and she was stunned. She knew Epharis's horse wasn't alive, but the others seemed to also be dead and running entirely off his magic.
Getting down, he dragged her down after him and set her on the ground, his eyes searching her face and then her belly before the two vampires approached.
"You two are pardoned," he snarled and their expressions of relief made it entirely worth the trouble she was going to be in later.
She hadn't forgiven them, at least not yet, but she could understand their reasons and so as Epharis's grip pinched her arm like a vice, she gave the pair a small wave and her eyes focused on Jaia, crushing down her burning need to be at his side.
She could manage the need, she could keep it tame, at least she hoped so. His blood sang in her, the saliva leaving her craving his bite in ways she didn't try to understand, but she would see him again soon.
Epharis was exceptionally fast in throwing her back in her box and she sat down calmly, looking up into his fury that couldn't really touch her at that moment.
Her calm was entirely false and dangerous, but she couldn't help but revel in it just a little bit, especially when her calm angered him so much.
"The baby is safe?" he demanded and his anger faded just slightly when she nodded.
"Safe, well, and I think Letari may actually be protecting it," she said.
Stopping mid pace, he wheeled to look at her incredulously.
"Protecting it?"
She frowned, trying to draw on the drug addled memories to mix and match the story, finding one that wouldn't implicate the brothers.
"I fell out of the carriage, when I checked I found something wrapped around it, bruised but the baby was fine and she hasn't come out at all. I believe she has wrapped herself around it to form some sort of barrier that draws on my energy to... I'm not sure, form an actual physical barrier? A magical one? Something that is keeping it safe."
Epharis studied her face carefully, searching for a lie but it was mostly the truth, the realisation making him frown in thought.
"Why would she care?" he asked, seemingly baffled.
"Letari might be crazy, but she is still a woman and my twin. She wanted to be a mother, and that is her family in there. You're surprised she would do whatever it took to keep it from being lost to an accident?" She didn't like the way he had spoken about her sister and she found she missed the occasional laugh that came from the back of her mind. Her sister was otherwise occupied with watching the baby and keeping everything else out.
"Do you believe it would be unable to be harmed with her there?" he asked finally.
"I don't believe she can stop everything, but she can stop quite a bit."
He nodded and then narrowed his eyes at her.
"How long have you known?"
"I noticed something was there in the tower. But I only started to suspect a few days ago. I am not certain, I can't get a read on her. But when you had me chained, you said she wasn't an issue. I thought that was strange. So I am connecting links that may not be there, but what else would be curled up around it and crooning?"
He couldn't fault her reasoning, still she could tell he didn't like it and his eyes lingered on her belly thoughtfully.
"Do anything to harm my child and I'll rip your soul out and shove it down your throat," she threatened, her fiercely protective tone surprising them both.
He lifted his hands in a sign of surrender, but she knew better.
Her arms went around her belly and she glared at him.
"I won't hurt it," he said, dropping his arms and coming to sit at her side.
She noted dryly that he only specified the child, but she let it go for the time being.
"What was the army you decided to bring with you?" she asked and stood, making her way to the closet and picking out a pair of pants she felt might still fit her.
Wriggling into undergarments and then her pants, she threw the dress into the corner and sighed when the stupid pants wouldn't do up.
Epharis hadn't responded and she looked at him, finding him staring at her with his mouth slightly open.
Flushing, she lifted her arms to cover her chest but his warning growl had her dropping them again.
Her cheeks flamed as he took her in, belly and breasts swollen, almost naked and she then realised she was standing in a patch of sunlight. She hadn't even realised the sun had risen.
Standing, he approached her as if any sudden movement would have the illusion shatter, or have her running.
She remained still and met his eyes when his hungry stare finally rose to her face.
He reached her and his pale skin lit up in the sunlight, silver hair glittering.
In the sun he looked less angled and harsh, softer and warmer in a way she couldn't place.
Reaching to touch her burning cheeks, he cupped her face in his hand and her eyes closed, pressing her cheek into his palm.
He leant down and she met his lips gently, the kiss so tender it was barely enough to feel.
He held her face in his hand and his free hand went around her bare back to draw her closer to him.
She went willingly, though she was no longer able to press that much of herself against him.
His kiss deepened yet it never became aggressive, rather it became passionate and she felt herself melting into it and her fingers curled gently in the front of his robe, drawing him closer even as he drew her into him.
His fingers slid up and tangled in her hair, combing it back from her face and ears in a way that made her shiver.
A delicate cough had them both freezing and Epharis looked to the side.
"Brother," he said calmly as though he had known Alaric would be coming to see her.
Her cheeks flamed again and she turned her back to the king, realising he had been able to see them clearly from the side. Her flush of pleasure was draining fast and a nasty voice had pointed out that he may have planned the whole thing so Alaric would be able to see them together, glowing in the light of the morning sun.
"Good morning," Alaric growled, making her think he had likely been there for some time, watching them.
Epharis tightened his arm around her, holding her to his chest to guard her modesty and she found herself glad for at least that aspect of his possessive nature.
"Your Majesty, is there something you needed?" she asked, unable to look at him in her embarrassment. Instead she rested her head against Epharis's chest, trying to hide inside his robes with him.
"I came to check on you, I heard you had returned. It appears my brother has done the job well," he said.
She wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that and so she could only nod her agreement.
"She is quite well," Epharis said and reached behind him.
Pulling a long tunic down from the closet, he handed it to her and she quickly pulled it on, glad it at least fit. Finally stepping back from the lich, she glanced at the king and then at Epharis, his eyes hot on her.
Stepping away from Epharis, she looked between the two men and tried to figure them out, but it was impossible.
"Good, would you like to go for a walk princess?" Alaric asked and she would have refused, except Epharis clearly didn't want her to go, so she decided to go if only to spite him.
"Certainly, might I have a moment to prepare?"
Alaric nodded and left the room, leaving her alone with Epharis, who was glaring at her.
"Don't say a word," she cut in before his mouth had even finished opening. "I am fully within my rights to go anywhere I like so long as it does not violate our deal. You cannot force me to stay here."
"I'm your husband, I can force you to do anything I like," he snapped, cutting her off.
"You could, but you won't. If your want me to play nicely with you, you need to give me my freedoms or I will make your existence a living nightmare you can't wake up from."
She wasn't sure where her confidence came from, but she wanted to make it very clear to him that she wasn't about to bow down before him.
Wriggling out of her pants and tunic, she threw them at him and pulled on a dress instead, it was tight but it still least fit around her.
"Order me some new clothes would you, dear husband?" she had pushed her luck and she danced out of his reach, laughing softly as she fled.