Inheritance

Part 2 Chapter 39: Enshadowed

Pollyanna was so paralyzed with fear that her joints were frozen solid where she sat on the bed.

The physician hastily bowed her way out of the room and left Pollyanna and Kline alone.

"I will stop working while you're pregnant so I can take care of you and make sure the baby comes out good and healthy." Kline informed her cheerfully.

Her mind finally began turning again after moments of being petrified with fear. I have to run away with Rory. I have to dispose of the amulet.

"Kline..." Pollyanna murmured as he addictively stroked her stomach. "Kline..."

"What is it, my darling?" Once again, he had changed from the cruel Kline to the kind and accommodating Kline as he leaned his head on her stomach.

"What would you like for dinner? Shall I go fetch us something to eat?" Pollyanna said as calmly as she could muster.

"No, no. You stay here and rest, my darling. I'll have the servants do your chores. In the meantime, I think I should have a separate bed for you set up for you in a different room. That way, I know I won't be... tempted." Kline kissed her cheek and climbed to his feet. "I'll make preparations now."

Pollyanna watched him leave and didn't realize how tense her muscles were until she was alone.

She wasted no time in crawling under the bed with panicked breaths. Her fingers closed over the amulet. With the trinket in hand, she peered out into the hallway. She glanced in both directions, and when she saw it was empty, she stepped out into it. Where should I hide it? Where should I hide it?

It was unlikely she could sneak out of the manor unnoticed to dispose of it. Even if she could, Kline would notice she was gone and would get suspicious.

Even if he finds it... Pollyanna began reasoning with herself calmly. He probably wouldn't know what it was. I can just tell him that it's a charm to aid in pregnancy... Otherwise, I can just wait for an opportunity to hide it elsewhere. Hopefully I'll be long gone before he can ever find it, anyway...

She put the amulet back under her bed and then crawled under her covers. "Please god... Please make it so he doesn't find it."

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Another achingly slow and worrisome week passed Pollyanna by wherein Kline demanded she stay in bed nearly all day but for dinner.

And during dinner, Kline shared the news with Pollyanna that fighting was about to begin between the invading fairies and the king's knights.

"I saw them marching through town," Kline told Pollyanna while he cut into a slab of meat. "There were definitely enough of them to deter the fairies—especially considering they have double the training of any of those savages."

Pollyanna nodded silently and ate a spoonful of rice. She cared nothing for any oncoming wars; her mind was entirely fixed on her unborn child.

"By the way," Kline said. "Your mother would like to see you alone tomorrow. She expects you in the morning."

Pollyanna saw an opportunity, and she took it. She smiled brightly. "I would love that. Would you mind if I ate breakfast with her in town? I would... Like to tell some of our friends that I'm pregnant."

Kline raised a skeptical eyebrow, but he eventually nodded after giving it some thought. His ego was stroked. "Of course you may spread the news of my glorious baby boy. I'll be moving things around in the house while you're away; a baby is a big change and the manor should reflect that."

"Thank you." Pollyanna replied as sweetly as she could muster.

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The next morning, Pollyanna awoke with a thudding heart after a sleepless night.