Reign of Embers

Chapter 37 - Pregnancy problems

Aelin

Nearly 2 weeks of deep sleep had passed since my burn-out by the time I finally woke up, starving, and with my belly larger than ever. Rowan insisted on bed rest for another few days, but today is the first day back running the kingdom.

"Rowan!"

Within moments he's hurtling round the corner, eyes wide with panic.

"What is it?" He shouts, body primed for battle.

"My dresses don't fit me!"

The various piles of dresses on the floor emphasise my struggle. Before the burnout they were getting tighter but in a flattering way, now, after wearing nothing but pyjamas and comfy clothing, they hardly stretch over my baby bump.

Rowan's face relaxes immediately, and laughs at my futile attempts to fit into a Terrasen green ballgown - one of my last resorts for anything loose enough to fit.

"Don't laugh. I have nothing to wear for this stupid war council, and I'm not showing up in my pyjamas." I blink away the tears in my eyes as Rowan envelops me in his arms, hands on my swollen abdomen.

"You know, they should recognise our voices now." Rowan says softly as he brushes light kisses against my neck.

"They really need real names, rather than Moon and Star," The twins both kick as if in agreement.

"See I'm right, they can hear us." He continues his trail of kisses, hands still clasped on my abdomen, thumbs stroking lightly.

"I think they just want names." I mutter, arching into his touch.

"We will soon, don't you worry," He spins me round to face him, gives me a quick kiss, then steps away. I start to protest but he cuts me off, "I thought you wanted to go shopping."

"Yes!" I sigh, "But what do I wear to the shop? If only Lysandra were here to lend me her maternity clothes.

"What about that big blue dress - the one with all the tule?" Rowan asks, heading towards my rows of dresses.

I gesture to my cleavage, "Rowan, have you seen my boobs recently? There is no way I'm ever getting into that."

"I was going to give other suggestions but it looks like you've already tried the whole collection."

"Leggings it is." I mutter, striding over to the draws in the corner.

Soon we are strolling through the streets of Orynth, guards surrounding us from a distance.

I've picked out some sets of maternity clothes that should last me for at least a couple more months, both comfortable and some more regal. The ballgowns and court clothes will have to wait for another day so that the tailors can visit me in the palace. For the war council this afternoon I picked out a simple sage gown with a lace up back so that it can be adjusted depending on my bump size. I'm wearing a similar style but in a deeper shade of green now.

The scents wafting from the carts and shops lining the streets makes me realise my hunger. I give into my stomach, dragging Rowan along to browse the goods. The guards keep an eye from a distance, close enough to intervene if necessary, but far enough away to allow us space.

By now people know we are in the city, and offer us free samples as we stop and talk to them. Thankfully, we make an appearance often enough that we aren't a swarmed by people every time we leave the castle, but we get lots of smiles and greetings; more than usual due to my being sick for a few weeks, and my ever-growing stomach.

"You know what I'm craving?" I say to Rowan as we leave a stall selling flatbreads covered in chilly oil.

"Chocolate?" He says mockingly.

"I was going to say cake, but chocolate works as well."

"Come on lets go to the bakery then."

I grin as he takes me by the hand and leads me down the street to one of my favourite shops in Orynth; Baselworth's Bakery.

The twins seem to be having a party in my uterus as I lick the last few crumbs remaining of chocolate cake from my fingers. I said as much to Rowan, so he's been sat next to me on a bench overlooking the river with his hand pressed against my stomach.

"I'm going to end up with an entire family of people who live for chocolate cake aren't I." He sighs, his face beaming with happiness.

I smile as I watch the love he already feels for the twins evident all over his face,"It's in their blood to love it, so they'd better appreciate it more than you do. I wont share cake with just anyone you know, they'll have to earn it."

He chuckles in response, but it doesn't quite meet his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

We sit in silence for a moment before he answers; "It's just one of those days where everything comes back."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not right now."

I give him a small smile, I get those days too. We all do. Sometimes it's just easier to acknowledge our pain and carry on, other times we need to stop and talk through it.

We sit in comfortable silence until the chiming of two bells cuts through the peace.

"Your majesties', If you don't mind we should be heading back to the palace; your council is convening in an hour." One of our guards, Serilda, says as she makes her way towards us.

I thank her and we make our way back to the palace.

.

"Well that went terribly," Elide sighs as she sinks into an armchair by the fire in the family sitting room.

"What did you expect, It was a war council. The Lords are always annoying." Lorcan states, equally as annoyed.

"You'd think they'd all be used to us by now. Why can't they just let us get on with things," I groan from where I lie on a mound of pillows on the floor.

The Lords of Terrasen trust us to rule and make decisions, yet because of this war, they appear to have gone back on ten years of cooperation because they don't think we can successfully win a war. They are blind to the fact that most of the fae present had been fighting wars centuries before they were born.

"They're just scared Aelin, we all are," Rowan says with a sad smile.

"Which is exactly why we need to focus on the competition coming up for the court children." Elide chimes in, "I know it has been stressful lately, what with all the attacks, but the kids need something to focus on."

I stifle a groan, I'd forgotten about that. Elide has taken over most of the training since the attacks have become more frequent.

"That's still a while away though right?" I've completely lost track of the days recently, and the competition seems a lifetime away.

"Three days." Elide states, "The competition is in three days."

"Well then we had better get ready."