Rule as Equals (Meant to Be My Balance #2)

Chapter 9

I took a deep breath, preparing myself before I spoke. "I'm pregnant."

Genya stared at me, blinking slowly. "I... I suspected but—"

"I'm happy about it," I quickly said, to which she stopped mid-protest and stared at me blankly.

"You and the Darkling wanted to—?"

The barest of hesitation passed my eyes before I said, "It was unplanned."

She had the same bare look of confusion and barely concealed anger. "And, just to clarify, you're happy about this?"

"I am."

She walked around me, waving her hand around my back. "Sorry, I'm just making sure your husband isn't hiding here and holding a gun to your head."

I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips as I took Genya's hands in mine. "I was as surprised as you. I never thought... I'm still not sure what kind of a mother I will be, but I know I would do anything for this child.

Genya's smile was reassuring, but still pinched, her hand squeezing mine. "Alina, if he's forcing—"

I pulled my hand away, my tone firm. "I appreciate the concern, Genya, but it's not necessary. I love my husband."

My eyes went to the corner of the room, remembering Aleksander's gentle hands on my stomach, the way he always grinned at me then down at the baby, his little comments about how he hoped the baby wouldn't inherit my morning irritation. He was so happy about this baby, I forgot what it was like for someone not to love them with all their heart.

"Still," she said. "Remember what happened with your tea."

"Genya," My anger slipped out. "You're my best friend, and I love you, but the Darkling is my husband. And even if he had forced me, what would you do about it? Lead another rebellion because the first one went so well?"

Her amber eyes burned. "If he was hurting you, I'd turn hell around to get you out, Alina, I swear it."

"But he's not," I insisted. "So you have nothing to worry about."

She forced herself to stop, to take a deep breath. "I'll choose to trust you on this, Alina." A smile appeared, slowly but surely. "You're going to be a mom."

"Saints, that's scary to think about," I said, and she laughed, but it sounded forced, tension still raw in the air.

"Does anyone else know?"

"Baghra, strangely enough," I said, getting into the story with her. I complained about my morning sickness, the nausea, the constant need to pee or sleep. Even though she responded humorously, engaging with me like she would any other day, I could tell something in the air between us had shifted.

When I left her room an hour later, I went straight to Aleksander, wrapping myself in his embrace. He didn't hesitate to reciprocate, having forced himself to leave me alone for the past hour. The only reason he'd let me be alone was because he was taking care of the repercussions of the attack on the palace. Through methods I didn't want to know about, Aleksander had confirmed that the group had nothing to do with the Shu government and was more of a resourceful political group than anything. Still, the threat was fierce enough.

"Are you okay?" he murmured into my hair, hand sliding down my back, across my waist, onto my stomach.

"I'm okay. I just... I just needed you," I said, and it felt true as ever, the bond between us tight and needy.

I could feel his smile against my hair. "Now you know what it feels like for me."

His thumb rubbed across my belly. "How's she doing?"