Lyne pulled the wet hair that stuck to her neck away, swinging them on her shoulder to make it easier for Zeidan to clean her back with a wet towel soaked in the warm bath where they both stood. He stood behind her, tall and gallant.

He had been doing this for days now since she confronted him about not having time for her and the baby. But not with grudges. He was caring and gentle with his touch. He dropped the towel just at the edge of the bath and turned her to face him.

"How was your appointment with Stevenson today?"

He asked, slowly pulling her hair up in a ponytail.

"We talked a lot, especially about the training. He said there was nothing wrong with it as long as I am not overdoing it. It's just like exercising to strengthen my bones and make them flexible in preparation for childbirth."

She explained as he finished with her hair. He just gave a wry smile but she wanted to give him the whole gist.

"Do you know I'm scared of the ninth month?" She asked, smiling up at him.

"Really?" That was all he asked.

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Because that's when I'll give birth to a baby, Zeidan. Stop being ignorant." She hit his shoulder playfully but he grabbed them with his strong hand, making her gasp.

"Zeidan?"

"What were you doing at the bridge today?"

She opened her mouth but no words came out. It was obvious he saw her and there was no escape now. She simply pursed her lips and looked at him blinking her eyes as if trying to be innocent.

"Now don't try to play innocent with me. I saw you."

"Really? Did you? Are you sure it wasn't someone else that looked like me?" She tried to maneuver her way through.

"No one else looks like the popular Princess Lyne. And I'd recognize you any day any time. I mean, why won't I recognize a pretty woman with a stomach she pushes around like a man who swallowed a cow."

"Hey!" She hit him on the arm with the second hand and he pretended to be hurt, leaving her hand and laughing. 

"You caused it, okay?" 

"Come on, I am right." He said playfully, laughing, while Lyne kept hitting him with her face crumpling as if she was hurt by his words.

"Why can't men be pregnant too?!" 

"Well, because we have to move around more often."

"That's unfair." They both laughed while Zeidan pulled her in for an embrace.

"Don't mind me. You look beautiful." He kissed her head lovingly.

"I love you, Lyne. I just can't wait to have our child."

Lyne looked up at him. "Me too."

Her hands were wrapped around his waist in the water as her head rested on his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat softly as the rain began to drizzle outside. She was grateful for Zeidan coming into her life or she would forever be in regret. What if she hadn't come across him? Or what if he didn't love her and he chose another of her siblings? She may have survived but she would have missed all of these.

They have been through a lot and it was just right they get through it to the end. One not leaving the other.

"What are you bothered about?" 

Zeidan's voice boomed above her head and she immediately remembered she was bothered about something that evening.

"The bridge."

Zeidan released her and with a frown looked at her face.

"What about it?"

"Zeidan, you are running low on resources."

She saw a glint of anger flash through his eyes and he exhaled audibly.

"It's none of your business."

"What?" She grabbed his face in her hands. "It is my business, Zeidan. Your problems are my problems and your happiness equals mine. You can't rely on the low supply of irons and bricks that you get from this city. You need external assistance if you want to go on with the plan which is quite dangerous."

"What do you mean if I want to go on with the plan?" 

Lyne dropped her hands, looking for how best to explain.

"The bridge cannot be finished soon if you want a guaranteed result. But before then, Shelbrooke could have attacked and you know what that means. Our plans have failed. So while we rebuild the bridge, or not, because of the dangers surrounding it, why don't we use the" she paused, sighing. "The Onyx."

She finally got it out of her mouth and she expected an outburst. However, he did something else.

"Lyne." He called gently, rubbing her arms with his hands. "You can't understand why we can't use the Onyx. A true soldier who knows the history of using the Onyx just anyhow will understand that I cannot bring it out."

"Why?" 

"You knew what it did to me, didn't you? I explained to you, right?" His voice was getting firm. "Why then do you want me to use it?"

"I...I don't know. Look, I don't understand how these things work but we've got to use it. Shelbrooke can come in anytime."

"Lyne!" He snapped but then composed himself. "I can't. Look here." He turned and pointed to his fang-like tattoo. "That was where I got injured the last time the Onyx was used. You wanna know long that was? Yet, I still have that scar! I had to cover it up with a tattoo. Do you know how many innocent people died? A large number of them."

"Zeidan, I know."

"If you know then stop bringing up ridiculous suggestions!" He yelled and for the first time, he was really angry. He shut his eyes tightly.

"Lyne. I know you're new to all of these but I just can't, I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have brought it up." Lyne nodded and got out of the bath, grabbing her towel and wrapping it around her.

"I know you're mad at me."

She paused at his words but he was wrong. How can she be mad at him? She turned, smiling.

"No, I'm not. I'm just after your welfare. Although I've been selfish and I didn't think of what you needed. I should have known better."

"Lyne," he hurried out of the bath, grabbing a towel immediately before coming for her but within those seconds that he got out, she felt heat rise from the pit of her stomach, making her yearn for him. 

He looked strong and his muscles and abs were an added advantage to his attractiveness. How can one man be this perfect? She swallowed as she stared at him until he was fully covered beneath the white towel.

"Zeidan." She called, licking her lips and trying to focus. "As I said, I'm sorry. I didn't think of what you might feel and I was here thinking I was doing the right thing and..."

Zeidan folded his arms against his chest, his muscles tautening and she curled her toes. She was having a hard time constructing a sentence.

"And you were there, doing everything all...all on your own...made me feel useless...I just needed...wanted to help and...um..." She pursed her lips, constantly tearing her eyes away from his body. 

While all this went on, Zeidan just kept watching, arms folded. She was blushing real hard knowing his gaze was fixed on her. Her heart was beating fast and her breathing was ragged. How can this man be so torturous? Her blood boiled in hunger for his touch and the feel of his skin rubbing against hers. She wanted to wrap her legs around his waist and feel his full length inside of her. She bit her lips thinking about it.

"You were saying?" 

His voice jolted her back from her thoughts and when she looked up into his beautiful eyes, she couldn't hold it anymore. She smiled and ran to him, crushing her lips on his and taking in the sweetness and lusciousness. She could feel his surprise in a second but he relaxed and smiled, wrapping a powerful arm around her waist.

"Hm." They both moaned, all their arguments aside. 

Soon, Zeidan had removed her white towel and let it drop on the floor, leaving her bare. He ran his hands all over her body at once before leading her slowly back to their room where they forgot all their worries and troubles and made love through the night.