Meridian
2355 Words
Red’s POV
So… you ready for an update?
We’ve left the Night Castle behind—thank the Moon God—and are getting closer and closer to Meridian. I don’t relish the thought of how close we have to get to Scarlet City before reaching Meridian, but I’ve been assured multiple times by multiple people that we won’t go directly through it.
Please, I tell Corrin, eager for a distraction from my current surroundings. It helps, as it always does, that I’m with Rowan; he insisted on riding on the same horse as me, just in case my sickness gets the better of me and I start to fall from my horse. But my proximity to Rowan only reminds me of what I’m keeping from him, and that’s enough to make me twice as sick.
We stumbled upon an Umbra camp out in the Badlands. Confirmed Sawyer took Sophie and Marleigh south with him—almost certainly to the Crescent Castle.
I exhale a sigh of relief, glancing back at Rowan with a grin until I realize that Corrin didn’t link him in. That can only mean one thing: there’s more. What else happened?
Well… they were saying some… things. I stiffen, and Rowan notices. About you, and about Sophie. I kind of lost my temper, and, well, we killed them.
Oh, dear sweet Moon Goddess. Rowan nudges me to share, but I put a finger up, signaling for him to wait until we’re finished. Are you hurt?
No. Westley is, but only a little. He… kissed me again. Afterwards.
My concern instantly turns to elation, and I laugh out loud. Good for him! Did you kiss him back? Again?
She groans. Yes. But I shouldn’t have. I promised myself I wouldn’t.
I roll my eyes. You’re wasting your time fighting this, Cor.
I don’t want to talk about it. How are you doing, anyway? What’s this about you being sick? I thought wolves didn’t get sick once they came of age.
This time, it’s me who groans. Who told you?
Who do you think? Your mate.
I rein my mount to a stop, clutching at my churning stomach. The truth is, I’m relieved Corrin knows. If there’s one person in the world I can talk to about this without fear of judgment or pain, it’s her. But I can’t share anything more with Rowan so close to me.
“Just give me one minute,” I say gently to Rowan, offering him a short kiss on the lips before slipping off my mount.
I head towards the woods as Rowan repeats my command to the rest of our wolves, who, I’m sure, watch me in confusion. They all know I’m sick, I suppose; I might as well pretend to be going off to vomit.
I do vomit, as it turns out; I didn’t even realize I needed to until I reach the woods. As the bile escapes me, I let the words tumble out of my mind and into hers. I’m pregnant.
Oh, dear, sweet, holy mercy of the Moon Goddess. It comes out in a squeal, and I can picture her excitement in her voice. Red, that’s fantastic! Why haven’t you told him?
This is the hard part.
I’m too sick, I tell her. And it’s happening too fast. Something’s wrong, Corrin. I think… based on what Ramsay told me, about his mother’s pregnancy… I think it means it’s his.
She’s silent for a long time. My eyes trail over to Rowan, who’s watching me with the same pain that must be on Corrin’s face right now. He still doesn’t know, though. Not yet.
It doesn’t matter, she finally says. It’s yours more than it’ll ever be his, and he’s gone. And you’re with Rowan. He'll raise the baby like his own. Besides, you could be wrong. You could—
Cor, I interrupt. He knows what Ramsay did to me. He practically experienced it with me. How could I ask him to love something that comes from so much evil?
Another pause. Then, You could get rid of it, you know.
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t considered it, but it’s not an option. One look at Nova’s face in my mind told me that I’m fated to have this child—whoever’s it may be. I can’t get rid of it, and I won’t. No, I say simply. I can’t.
You have to tell him, Red. It’ll hurt, but he’ll still be relieved you’re not sick. And he deserves to know.
I know. I heave a sigh. I will. I’m just going to talk to the doctor first.
I’d like to know if I’m going to live through this pregnancy or not before I tell Rowan about it.
- - - - -
Meridian is everything they say it is, and so much more.
It’s so lush, vast, and beautiful, it makes the Saros Fjords look like a barren desert. The water is as blue as sapphires; the grass is as green as emeralds. To the north, mountains look down on us like great, holy ancestors watching over us. I know from the history books that they’re called the Crescent Mountains, and are where my pack once lived. To the east, giant tundras and valleys settle into quaint, little villages that I know to be Eclipse Village and Sarostown; to the west, a vibrant city—Gibbous City, as it was once known—nestled beneath a giant, magnificent castle.
“Suppose we might have to rename a few spots,” Rowan says with a sweet chuckle as I rein our mount to a stop to take in the sights.
I shake my head. “No. I wouldn’t want the Crescent Mountains renamed any more than Dom and Gaius would want Gibbous City renamed. We’ll leave everything the same—in love, honor, and respect.”
It doesn’t hurt that the castle was always called Castle Meridian, rather than Castle Gibbous. Neutral territory.
Rowan squeezes me tighter, and I can tell from that embrace that he respects and supports my decision.
“Your Majesty,” says Auron, coaxing his own mount toward ours. “Would you care for a tour of your lands now, or shall we venture straight to the castle to rest?”
“Straight to the castle,” Rowan says immediately.
I laugh slightly. “The castle is fine,” I agree. “Do we know how many vampires linger in the city?” Based on what Vance told me, he gave instruction for everyone to either leave or prepare to bend the knee.
“According to Bennett, most have returned to Archon and Americana,” Auron tells me. “Those who lingered are mainly establishment owners—restaurants, inns, and the like—which should come in handy. They are equipped to accept our currencies.”
I nod, pleased by that. “Good. For tonight, let’s have everyone stay in Gibbous City and the Meridian Castle. In the next few days, I’d like to send escorts out to reclaim the original territories, so that those who will not be fighting in the war can start to rebuild their homes.”
Auron nods. “A most noble plan, Majesty. I’m sure the people will appreciate it.”
“Enough talking,” Rowan says impatiently. “Father, we’re going to gallop the home stretch. Have the doctor come straight to the queen’s chambers.”
And he urges our mount into a gallop.
- - - - -
The castle is as magnificent on the outside as on the inside, but the best thing about it is that it’s almost an exact blend between Castle Gibbous and the Crescent Castle. It’s as vast and stony as Castle Gibbous, though not quite as gothic, but the silver and gold embellishments, along with the marble floors and railings, remind me of home.
It’s perfect.
I collapse onto the bed, flushed with relief. We’ve made it. After all this time and all the pain we went through, we’ve finally made it home to Meridian.
I hope my father’s proud. I know he didn’t want to do this, but I hope he’s proud that I did.
“You look happy,” Rowan says softly, coming over to sit next to me. “I haven’t seen you happy in too long.”
My smile fades at the memory of what’s about to happen, and I say something I know he doesn’t want to hear: “When the doctor gets here, I need you to leave.”
His expression instantly darkens. “What are you talking about? You promised—”
“And I meant it. I’ll tell you everything, Row. I just… I need to talk to him first. One on one.”
If I’m going to die, Rowan needs to hear it from me, not a doctor.
He hates it, but he won’t say no to me. He’s never been able to.
My jaw drops when the doctor comes in. It’s none other than Oswin Gibbous.
“I promised your Beta that I would inform you there’s another doctor waiting in the hall,” he tells me with a slight grin, black eyes twinkling behind his glasses. “But I also assured him that I didn’t think you’d mind being treated by me—again. I was, if you didn’t know, considered the best doctor in all of Canis.”
I return his grin. “I don’t mind in the slightest, Oswin. I am surprised to see you, though. I suppose you heard the truth of what happened to your brother and nephew?”
“Oh, aye. The little Lancaster worm tried to convince me otherwise, but the truth was clear enough. I never trusted that family—told Gaius as much on multiple occasions. He wouldn’t listen, of course. If we can’t trust our own pack, we don’t stand a chance out there, he’d always say. Suppose he was right about that last bit, at least.”
“I’m so very sorry for your loss,” I tell him truthfully. “I came to love your family very much, Oswin.”
He nods. “And they you. I know what you’re doing for them—for Sophie and Marleigh. And I know about the potion, too. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
I bow my head, then turn to Rowan. “Row,” I say gently.
He glances from me to Oswin with a cold, hard look, jaw tight. Finally, he leaves.
“I…” I swallow. Can Rowan hear me through the door? Is he doing the right thing and walking far enough away not to? I suppose there’s only so much I can do. “I think I’m pregnant. Really, I know that I am.”
A smile breaks out on Oswin’s plump, kind face. “That’s wonderful, Majesty.” He scans my face thoughtfully, frowning. “Nausea is common enough, but you seem feverish, as well. Auron says you’ve been in excessive pain. Do you happen to know how long it’s been since…?”
That’s certainly the question, I muse grimly. “There’s…” I bite my lip so hard, I taste blood. “When I was captured by Ramsay Eaton, he… r***d me.”
His expression changes notably, in all the ways you might expect.
“I was with Rowan, as well—before, and after,” I add. “So it’s… possible it’s his. But, from what Ramsay said about his mother… and the pain…”
He nods understandingly. “I see. Well, why don’t you go ahead and lie back, Majesty? Let’s see what we can learn from an examination.”
I hesitate, biting my lip even harder. “Before we do, I have to know. Ramsay’s mother was a vampire, and having a hybrid child nearly killed her. She was never able to have children again. Is that how it would be for me? Would it be even worse?”
He smiles gently. “I’m better equipped than most to answer your question, but I must warn you there’s very little precedent for your situation, which means what I tell you won’t necessarily be the case for you. But… no. Scientifically speaking, it’s the budding wolf inside the future child that makes it so hostile to the vampire’s body. Your body was made to carry wolf pups; any discomfort you’re feeling is likely just the power of the hybrid.”
I exhale a sigh of relief. It might not be a guarantee, but it helps.
“Okay,” I say. “We’d better let Rowan in.”
- Writer
