Four weeks later.
"I will miss her a lot," Tania said as she wiped her tears from her cheeks.
Eltanin pulled her in his embrace. He held her close to him against his chest and kissed the crown of her head. "I know..." he murmured and rested his cheek over her.
Kinshra had finally crossed over to the Fade. Lord Krail had come over along with his wife, Jiada, and he was watching the small temple that was built next to that of Biham's.
Eltanin took Tania with him back to the palace whereas Kinshra's parents stayed there. The day was marred with heavy clouds and a distant thunder rumbled in the skies.
The flag of the kingdom was flying at half-mast and every citizen was allowed to visit the mausoleum that day.
It was two days and Tania was sitting in her mother's room. She was sifting through her dresses and asking Flora to fold them all and pack them in a trunk because she wanted to take them with her.
All at once, the door of the room opened. Tania and Flora jerked their heads to the left only to see Tabit coming with a gleam in her eyes. She was flushed and looked like she could use a hug.
"Tabit?" Tania rasped as he tried to study her reaction.
"Tania!" Tabit flung at Tania and hugged her tightly.
"Easy, Lady Tabit," Flora grunted. "The queen is pregnant. Such jerks are not good for her."
Tabit giggled and left Tania. She led her to sit on the bed, her eyes moist.
"What is it, Tabit? Pray, tell me. I am getting worried by the minute!" Tania chided her.
Tabit held Tania's hands and took them to her tummy. "I am pregnant."
Eltanin took the paper from her, trying to read her expressions but he couldn't make out anything. So he started reading the paper and by the end of it, his eyes became wide like a saucer. "Rigel is expecting? I mean Lerna will become a father!" He smacked his head. "Goddess. I mean Lerna is expecting!"
Tabit, Fafnir and Tania burst out laughing.
"And that is not all," Tania added as she took the paper from him and handed it back to Fafnir.
"What else is there?" he asked, his gaze darting between all of them.
"Tabit is also pregnant!" Tania squealed.
Eltanin's mouth fell to the floor. He stabbed his fingers in his hair as he whipped his face to look at Fafnir who was standing with his chest swelled in pride. "Fafnir, you are becoming a father?"
Fafnir looked at Tabit's belly and said, "It seems so." He was grinning from ear to ear. "And that is why I have decided that till Tabit delivers, she won't leave Pegasii."
Tabit raised her eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Fafnir sucked in a sharp breath, knowing that a battle was incoming. "I mean that you can do whatever you like in Pegasii but it is dangerous for you to travel on the bumpy roads outside the kingdom."
"That is ridiculous!" Tabit snapped. "I will go to visit my brother!"
Fafnir inhaled a rough breath. "Sweetheart, can we talk about it?" he asked in a low voice. "There is something very important in the kingdom of Pegasii that needs your attention."
Tabit was all about to fight with him, but his next words calmed her. "Oh, if that is how you put it, I guess I can delay it."
Fafnir pumped his fist in the air, mentally. "Can you come for lunch, sweetheart? My pups must be hungry."
"Pups?" Tabit scoffed. "There is only one pup. I am sure."
"Okay, let's talk about that too," he said. Fafnir was hoping for four pups in a go. He winked at Eltanin and guided Tabit out of the room by placing his hand on the small of her back.
Eltanin watched his General taking his wife out of the room and felt like a... fool. "Tania!" he growled. "Pack your bags. Even you will be staying at Draka till you deliver! The roads outside Draka are bumpy."
Tania poked her tongue in her cheek. "You forget that faes can create portals."