The Prince's Gift

Chapter 55.

Zane's POV

The words were forced out, and as soon as I said them my chest tightened as my stomach knotted anxiously. What if she didn't believe me? It was possible she'd think I was lying to keep her from the battle like I'd wanted to all along. Her brows rose before a look of realization flashed across her eyes.

"Oh...of course." She whispered as her gaze dropped to the space between us, landing on her still flat stomach. "I think I've known for some time. But I was just...I didn't think such a thing could even be possible, so I just thought I was overworking myself." Her hands slowly came to rest on her abdomen as she closed her eyes, breathing in a deep breath as she focused to calm her pulse that was now quickening.

I stared down at her, watching her process what was now happening inside of her, and I was suddenly washed over with an immense feeling of awe. She looked truly beautiful, and even more so now that she was to be a mother. It was as if knowing that she was holding life within her changed the very air around her. I could feel the change beginning to surround her as it settled between us. I felt it pulling me further into her until I was wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

"Zane, do you think the child could be..." She began, but stopped short as the words caught in her throat.

I shook my head as I pulled her closer, looking down at her with understanding. "I honestly don't know. It's too soon to tell. It truly could be mine, but it could also be Maddox's or...Ehren's."

Her eyes flashed up to mine as a tinge of guilt creeped into her expression. She opened her mouth to speak, but I placed my finger to her beautiful rosy lips.

"It's ok Ana. I can't expect you to stay alone just because I don't want to lose you to another." I exhaled as I stroked my fingers against her back. "I just mean that we're all royal by birth and by blood. I would assume it would be the same as with Vampires in that the bloodlines must line up or else we can't procreate. But I swear to you, I didn't know this was possible or I would have never been so careless."

She reached up and her hand caressed my cheek. "Zane, I know. How could you have known this would happen?"

I sighed, leaning forward to press my forehead against hers as I allowed her scent to surround us. I'd forgotten how badly I'd missed it until now. I'd forced the memories into the very back of my mind. Every brilliant flash of brightly glowing jade and forest green as they mixed together in her jeweled gaze. Every dip and curve of her body. Her scent that overwhelmed my every sense and thought. Even the way her heart stuttered inside of her chest when I simply touched her. I'd forced all of it away, but now it was throttling back into my mind like a train about to run off the tracks.

"What's the point of having all of this fucking knowledge if we're not able to do anything about it? Ana, I can't accept a world that you are no longer in." I whispered tightly. My hand dropped from behind her waist so that my thumb could stroke softly against the side of her stomach. "What if this child is ours? I can't just let you both die."

I felt her hands grip against my skin before she took a calming breath, straightening before stepping back slightly, letting my hands slowly drop back to my sides.

I could see the frustration clouding her gaze, pulling at her from inside as she stared back at me. "The fact is, we don't know."

Her expression hardened as she seemed to allow the uncertainty to unnerve her for just a moment. I heard her heart speed up slightly as her eyes cut to the floor. She was nervous, unsure even, but that didn't change what was going to happen tomorrow. Her gaze flashed back up to mine and I could see it. Whatever had been pushing into her thoughts was gone now, replaced with that same determination from before.

"And since I know I clearly can't change anything for myself, I have to think about what I can do Zane. Please understand." Her words were cracking as she tried to cover the sadness and worry that was breaking through, but it was gone as soon as it'd come.

She took another slow breath before speaking with an even tone. "I have to go soon, but before I do, have to tell you about tomorrow. We have nearly a thousand joining us. We will take up in the initial battle outside before coming inside to help the rest of you within the castle. I will bring my group to the throne room where most of the worst fighting will occur, and the rest will come as they can. Zane, you must pay attention. Maddox will try and surprise you with his attacks. He's going to use someone inside the castle, but he or she's being hidden by the oracle Lavinia who's helping him. I can't see any more than that." Her brows were furrowed in frustration as she spoke, her gaze serious as it held mine.

I had to shake off the thoughts that were plaguing my mind for the moment. I'd have to find her quicker than planned tomorrow. Maybe I could keep her safe if I kept her close to me, but for now I had to focus on the task at hand.

"We're prepared. We've got eyes on every council member thanks to your warning." I gave her a slow nod as she stepped closer.

Her hand disappeared into the pocket of her dress before revealing a small glass vial nestled within her palm containing a deep crimson colored liquid. My brows rose as she handed it to me, placing it in my hand before gently squeezing my own around it. Her hand slowly dropped as I looked back at her in confusion.

"What is this?" I asked in surprise.

"It's to keep you safe...for when I'm gone." Her voice cracked slightly with emotion before she stared back with glassy eyes. My chest twisted painfully at the thought, but I wasn't going to just let her die so willingly, whether she liked it or not. "Be alert Zane. I'll see you tomorrow."

I nodded blankly as she slowly faded away, her scent disappearing with her to only leave a slight lingering trail behind her.

What the fuck am I supposed to do now? I can't just let them both die. I won't.

I immediately called for Fallon to get to my room now. I needed my second hand if I was going to work through all of this. I needed my best friend. Fallon immediately flashed into my room, his face pulled into a frown as he walked over to me.

"What'd she say?" He asked firmly.

I didn't even know where to begin, but I slowly began to fill him in on what she'd said.

"Fuck. So she didn't even listen even after knowing then?" He said harshly.

I let out a low warning growl and he snapped back to look at me, eyes wide.

"Shit. Sorry man." He huffed and turned back to face me as he placed his hand on my shoulder. "I want to protect her too is all. Both of them." He gave me a look of sympathy before he released me.

"So what do I do? All I know is I have to get to her first, before anything bad can happen to her. Have you and Kora discussed tomorrow?"

He rubbed a hand over his chin roughly as he thought. "We did. She's going to try and lead them to us as quickly as she can. But she's at the mercy of the elders, and she and Ehren are solely responsible for helping Ana stay guarded as she makes her way through the fight. She has many strong gifts now Zane, but only when she can hold her concentration. She's vulnerable without help."

I sighed as I sat down in the chair beside the fireplace, raking a hand through my hair in agitation as I spoke. "Ok then. We just have to get to them first."

Fallon's brow rose as a small smirk played at the edge of his lips. "That's a plan I can get behind. What'd you have in mind?"

I pulled the small vial out of my pocket as I looked back at him with a glimmer of deviousness in my eyes. "We're going to be the bait."

Fallon's eyes dropped quickly to the vial before snapping back to mine as his smirk fell slightly. He slumped back in his chair before scoffing. "Fuck it. Let's do this then."