The Hidden Luna Queen 2

My hands tightened around his-a silent gesture of gratitude. By now, my headache was mostly gone, just by his touch.

Xaden was silent for a brief moment. "I'm... excited to go to the clinic with you tomorrow," he admitted. "We don't get to do a lot of things together out in public, so, even if it's for something as routine as a baby check-up, I want to take every chance I'm given." Hearing him say this aloud warmed me up. "I'm happy you're coming with me, too."

"You said appointments are weekly, yes?"

I gave him a gentle, careful nod. "Because of how much he's grown in just a month, she thought it best that I see her once a week. It's only to start us off," I amended, "and once we've found a rhythm for things, we should... hopefully... be able to scale back on the appointments."

His fingers continued to caress my skin. "I appreciate the effort she's putting in for a new patient. I was ready to have a chat with her if I heard otherwise."

"You would've likely given her a heart attack," I teased. "I think she's nice, so please try not to do that."

He let out a light-hearted scoff. "Honestly, she shouldn't expect much else from an alpha prince."

I tried my best to hide a wince. "Well.."

Xaden raised a curious eyebrow. "Well?"

"She... doesn't actually know that you're the father. Not yet, at least."

"I see." He suddenly looked pensive as he regarded me.

He gently lowered his hands from my face. "I... understand the need for secrecy, especially if you're meeting with doctors in the capital, but... you know, you also have the option to visit one of the palace physicians." He gestured in the general direction of the palace, which was vaguely visible beyond our bedroom windows.

My lips pressed together as I silently followed his hand before focusing back on him.

"They will see you whenever you have a need for them, and they won't dare discriminate against you in any way, shape, or form," he said lowly, and I knew he meant business if I received such contrary treatment. "You will never need to hide from them, or feel ashamed about anything."

I sighed. "I know," I admitted softly, averting my gaze to play with his fingers that had settled on my thigh. "Still... I wanted to see her."

The decision hadn't been made because I was ashamed. I was just still so accustomed to fending for myself, and I'd wanted to take advantage of the freedom I had before my entire life changed... but, how was I supposed to say that without offending him in any "way?

And then Xaden gently pulled me forward to press a kiss against my forehead.

"It's alright," he said, as if he could somehow read my mind. "You don't have to explain yourself. I just... don't want you to feel like you don't have options."

Upon hearing his tone soften, I lifted my gaze to meet his, and I was welcomed with wonderful understanding.

"I like caring for you," he added, overflowing with sincerity, "and being able to do things for you. I want you to know you can lean on me for anything. You have only to ask.""

At that, my lip began to quiver. He was so good at ensuring I didn't feel like a burden. "... Thank you..."

"Now-" he murmured with a smile, "let me get that water for you."

At that, I couldn't help but stifle a short giggle. "Okay."

As he left the room-a prince fetching water for a former servant-I couldn't help but soak in my adoration for him. As long as he was around, I always felt so safe and secure, and I knew he worked so hard to make sure I was. And, indeed, I was... whether that was from what lay before me, or something I couldn't quite see yet.