Tribal Queen Book 1

Chapter 17

It had been a week since the attack, and Reyn had been spending a lot of time locked in her personal meeting room with Zu. They were going over ways to strengthen their troops and attack the village with enough armed men to be successful. Vai said that what she experienced with the powers was definitely due to her bloodline from the Gods. They must have heard her prayer and answered it in the form of protection. Vai was going to plan something to see if Reyn could learn to call upon those powers again and control them.

Hunter, feeling a bit neglected, sought out the company of Willow. He figured she could use some attention because Zu was busy. And he had been right, Willow was seeking some companionship. But she told him a few times and made him promise that it was just friendly companionship and not anything more. Hunter said he agreed to her terms.

He found her walking along the path to the bathhouse, and she agreed to let him go with her. As long as he knew that nothing could happen between them. He nodded his head and walked along beside her. He smiled at her and then ran ahead slightly so he could hold the door open for her. The serving girl handed them each a towel, as well as an extra one for Willow's hair. Hunter again held the door open to the private pool room reserved just for the Queen. This included Hunter as he was now King.

Willow took off her dress and slipped into the water. Hunter pretended to be moving a chair closer to the edge but had watched her out of the corner of his eye. He was not sure why, but he felt a pull towards her. It was not as strong as the connection that he felt with Reyn, but it was definitely present. Hunter walked to the edge of the water and put his feet in, sitting on the side of the pool. He leaned back on his hands and enjoyed the sound of the water slapping the tile from Willow moving around. She tilted her head and watched him for a moment.

"Something on your mind?" She said in a soft voice so as not to echo.

Hunter leaned forward now and placed his hand in the water. "I can't help but feel this pull toward you. And it has me struggling." Hunter watched her as he spoke, searching her face for any trace that she had the same feelings for him.

But Willow turned so she was not facing him and softly spoke, "You know why we can't..."

Hunter balled his hands into fists, "I know we can't... and I love Reyn with all that I am, but..."

She cut him off, "There can not be a 'but' in that statement. You have to just love her and let me go."

"You know I can't just let you go. And I don't want to want you. Why do I feel this way? I love Reyn, I want her in my arms all the time. But I also want to feel your hands on me..."

Willow turned to face him, she had tears in her eyes. "Hunter..."

He was already standing and slipping his pants off. He stepped further into the water till he was standing right in front of her. Her heart began to race. She looked up at his face, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

"I am sorry Willow, but I need to go find my wife." Hunter did a small bow to her, left the water, and put his pants back on. He left the bathhouse to seek refuge from his feelings.

Willow had this empty feeling come over her. She had lost the trust of Reyn, and could potentially ruin her marriage before it even started.

Hunter found Reyn standing outside the meeting room. But she was clutching her stomach with her hands.

"Something is wrong..." She said through gritted teeth. Then her eyes started to roll back in her head. Hunter caught her as she fell.

"I have you... please be ok." He kicked the closed door and yelled for Zu, praying he was in the room still. Zu opened the door, his eyes went wide when he saw Reyn in Hunter's arms.

"What happened?" Zu was shocked because she had been fine while they were talking.

"I found her in the hall holding her stomach, then she collapsed."

"We need to bring her to Vai," Zu said as he led the way.

Once inside Vai's room, Hunter lays her down on a bed. "Vai, please help..." Hunter pleaded as he kissed Reyn softly on the forehead.

Vai felt her stomach, then took out a jar that smelled awful, holding it under Reyn's nose causing her to sit up.

"Oh what in the name of the Goddess is that?" She felt dizzy and her stomach felt odd.

Vai looked at her eyes, then pressed on Reyn's stomach again. "How long has it been since you last bled?"

Reyn sat there with a shocked look on her face... Could it be? Could she be with child already? A smile crossed her lips, "Does that mean?"

Vai shook her head yes, then excused herself from the room, giving Hunter and Reyn a moment together. Hunter tilted his head and looked at Reyn.

Reyn reached for him with her hands, and Hunter walked to the side of the bed she was laying in. "Hunter, do you know why I am smiling?" She asked him, caressing her stomach with her other hand.

His gaze fell to her stomach, but he shook his head no. He wasn't sure what could be wrong with her or why she was happy about it.

Reyn took his hand and placed it on her stomach. "I know my stomach is still flat, but soon it will be nice and round from your child growing inside."

Hunter's eyes went wide. "A baby?"

Reyn shook her head yes. Hunter dropped to his knees and placed a gentle kiss on her stomach. He ran his fingertips over her skin lightly.

He then whispered, "Stay safe in there."

Reyn smiled, then ran her fingers through his hair. "Does that make you happy?"

Hunter looked into her eyes, then moved so he could kiss her softly, "I am so happy. We will have a family." He kissed her again.

Reyn looked at him for a moment, "Hunter, do you remember your life before you became a slave?"

Hunter thought about her question for a little while, then he answered. "I remember as a young boy running through a house and my mom telling me to stop. We then heard a noise, and three men in tribal clothing came in. They hit my mother when she screamed and she fell to the floor not moving. Then they took me. They said I would bring them lots of gold." Hunter stopped talking, a lone tear rolled down his cheek.

Reyn lifted his chin so he was looking at her again, "No tears.... You are safe now."

He smiled, "I would endure it all over if it meant I could hold you in my arms. I would not change anything." He looked at her stomach one more time, "You need rest. I will come back later."

He left Reyn resting in Vai's room and went to find Willow. He had to tell her he would not be seeking her out anymore. He has a family starting with Reyn.

Willow was walking by the river when Hunter found her. "Hunter.... Is Reyn ok?"

Hunter took her hands in his, "She needs rest. I also found out I am going to be a father. So I wanted to tell you I will not be seeking your company anymore."

Willow stood there in shock, "A child... Reyn is with child?" Willow knew that was the goal, to have Reyn and Hunter conceive a child, but at the same time, she felt like Reyn was not sharing things about her life with her anymore.

Hunter tilted his head, "I thought you would be happy?"

Willow plastered a smile on her face. "I am happy for you both, Hunter."

She kissed his cheek, then walked away in a hurry. She needed distance between them. For all of the protesting and resisting she did of his advances... deep down she still found him extremely attractive.

Reyn would be even more possessive over Hunter now that they were married and expecting.