Luana took in the dark, smokey room once again, with steam coming out of a teapot which indicates someone has had a change of drinks. She walked into the office and saw Shelbrooke sitting on his executive chair with two men standing. One by the wall and the other has his hips leaning against the table. 

The one by the wall has a mop of curly, rough red hair and a plump face. He had a plus-sized stature and the baggy shirt he was wearing made things worse. He had the stripes as well. The second one was rather tall and good-looking. He was lean and fair-skinned with blonde hair leaving a waxed bunch of hair on his forehead. His glowing golden eyes complemented his hair and skin. He also left two buttons of his red polka-dotted shirt open, revealing his manly chest. He had the stance of a loose playboy. Her type of man. She swallowed. 

"Look who is here," Shelbrooke stated, his tone slightly sarcastic. "Have you already decided that the best thing that can ever happen to you is receiving an invitation from the legendary Shelbrooke?" 

Shelbrooke crushed the remains of the cigarette he was smoking on the ashtray and offered her a chair. 

"I haven't decided anything." She replied. "Thank Chloe."

"Didn't she come with you?" The plus-sized man aaked but she just looked at him.

After a while of silence, Shelbrooke spoke up.

"Before I forget. Meet my men. My most trusted men. Reyns and Gorge." He bluffed, making her roll her eyes.

"This sexy-looking cat I can vouch for. The overfed one, Nah." She stared right into his confident eyes, taking note of his drawled eyes and grim kissable lips. 

What the hell is wrong with her? Could she be tripping for an enemy?

"I'll take that as a compliment." Deep, sexy voice. 

"The name is Reyns." He was now in her front, stretching a hand for a handshake. 

"Thank you, but I'll pass." She looked up at him, face determined. "I didn't quite think this was a social call."

"You're right," Reyns spoke up.

"Why do I get the feeling that I've met you before?" Luana asked as he turned to go, and she could see his shoulders tense.

"Met Reyns?" Gorge asked. "Definitely not. I...I mean...just...Reyns has always been here. He...he has never left here...except maybe...you know when he wants to go out to fight..."

"No. I know what I'm talking about." And she was right. He gave off a familiar scent and his eyes. Yes, his eyes would give him away.

She stood up abruptly and turned him shady, looking into his golden eyes. For a moment, she looked into his eyes deeply, feeling the shock course through her spine. 

"I have met you before, but I don't know where." She repeated.

"You must be daydreaming.." Gorge began to say.

"She is not." It was Shelbrooke.

"She is right."

"My Lord?!" Gorge widened his eyes at Shelbrooke and she could tell they were keeping something.

"What is it?" 

"I'll tell you after our deal has been done." Shelbrooke stood up, tilting his hat.

"Future Queen Luana."

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"What the hell?!" Lyne muttered under her frustrated breath as in a bid to take a robe, other dresses fell from the racks.

"Having trouble?" She heard Zeidan's voice behind her, conscious of his very body against hers. His warmth and breath settled on her skin and she would have given anything to fall into his arms this night. 

However, she wouldn't. Not when he hadn't apologized nor talked about their baby. Her baby. Although she had tried to leave him alone when he struck the deal, she had to come back after giving it many thoughts and realizing she couldn't stay a day without Zeidan.

"No, I got it." She crouched but Zeidan had grabbed her arm, urging her to step aside.

"Don't worry, I'll do it." 

For the brief seconds that his hands had touched her skin, it made her shiver. How could she ever live her life without this man? She doubted if she would even survive. She wanted to feel those powerful reliable arms grab her waist and grind her hips against his. Or grab a handful of her hair and place a kiss on the hollow of her throat.

"Okay." That was all she could say before stepping aside and watching him gather the clothes, his muscles contracting beneath the white cotton shirt he was wearing.

"And...all done!" He arranged them back on the rack and turned to face her, looking down on her.

"Hey."

He tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear before resting his palm on a side of her face. She rested her cheeks on it and looked up at him. He could change his mind now. Who knows?

"Zeidan?"

She was searching into his brown eyes questioningly.

"I don't think someone else deserves to be the Queen except you, Lyne. When I first met you, I saw the full potential of a wife, a Queen, and a lover. I vowed to make you mine and here we are."

"You didn't think I could make a good mother?"

Zeidan simply smiled and placed a brief and gentle kiss on her lips.

"I always think about it. In fact, I dream about it every day. You, me, our kids, seven of them..."

They both laughed and he placed his second hand on the second side of her cheeks so that her face was now between his palms. 

"Walking by the riverbanks, teaching them to hunt animals, teaching to protect themselves or probably teach them to be doctors and businessmen in the human city. Buy them ice cream. Lots of it." He leaned his forehead against hers and their faces were only inches apart.

Lyne couldn't breathe. She didn't want to as she feared she would wake up from this beautiful dream. She placed her hands on her chest, feeling his heartbeat. They were syncing with hers and she wondered how it would be with their kids around. They would be one big, happy family.

"Zeidan, I..." Her voice was shaky and her eyes were glassy. She really loved this man and she would never dream of losing him. "I..."

"Shhh!" He whispered, tracing his hands down from her shoulders to her breast, her stomach, and then tucking them underneath the robe to place his hands on her waist.

She sucked in her breath, biting her lips and looking up at the one who has captured her heart.

"You know what you do to me when you do that?" He asked, his gaze sensous.

"Look, I..."

He stopped her words with a deep kiss and his hands ran around her body, touching her every skin. She was aching for him. To touch him and feel him touch her. 

"Oh, Zeidan." 

He grabbed her thighs and she strapped her legs around his waist, anticipating all of him.

"Hey, Lyne, I wouldn't wanna hurt you." He said, his hands shaking. 

"What?" Lyne didn't care and she wished he wouldn't stop. "Come on, I want you." She grabbed his collar but he looked up at her with a smirk on his face.

"That is different." She hit him playfully on the chest and rested her head on his chest, chuckling. "I want you too but, but we have to talk."

"About what?" She mumbled, face hidden in his neck. 

"Come on. After this discussion, I promise we can do this all night."

She raised her head. "Really?"

"Really." 

For a few moments, they stared deep into each other's eyes before Zeidan started to say. 

"I wanted to say that, I know I haven't been a good husband to you and I must say that you deserve more." He dropped her and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm the worst you can ever ask for and I'm sorry I've been an asshole all this while. I...Dr. Stevenson told me that at this stage, it's normal that you get overly sensitive about stuff since your hormones make you quite emotional and your mood swings might be frequent. So..."

He looked down as if embarrassed but Lyne's mood was elated.

"Let's do this together." The last thing he said before a dangerous beat was heard changing her emotions from joyful to confused.