Page 139 of Ravenous

A breach. As deep as the one between him and Torben.

Except this one might prove deadly.

Chapter 53Torben

When the guards broke up thetenthfight of the night—more brawls than any feast in living memory—Torben told Dagny in Old Norse, “We’re leaving.” He rose and offered her his hand.

Brows lifting, she replied in the same tongue, “Now? The dinner isn’t even over, and I haven’t finished visiting with my new friend.”

“It’s getting too dangerous. The mead must be stronger tonight.” Frustration coiled inside him, a restless anger, even though he hadn’t touched a drop. “Or maybe it’s the moon. But, Dagny, if one stray hit caught you…”

She chewed her lip. “Yes, you’re right. We’ll leave when Arctos returns.”

His gaze slid to Emilia, who picked at her trencher. “If she’s to be part of the clan, she can stand on her own among them.”

“What is wrong with you?” Dagny demanded with her own frustration. “She’s not immortal yet.”

He gripped her arm and pulled her to her feet. “Now, mate.” He spotted Arctos then, weaving back through the unruly crowd. His cousin looked as impassive as ever, but Torben doubted the queen had warmed him with friendly conversation.

Now will you see?Tomorrow he would press Arctos again.

Dagny told Emilia, “I need to go instill some manners in my husband. Will you be all right?”

“Oh, yes,” Emilia said quickly, having also spotted Arctos. “Thank you.”

Dagny squeezed the vampire’s shoulder, gentle despite the tension. “We’ll talk later then.”

Outside in the frosty air and howling winds, Dagny adjusted her cloak with jerky movements. “The hells was that, Torben?” she snapped. The storm seemed to mimic her feelings.

“You’re angry that I wanted you and our child out of danger?”

“No. I’m angry that you were rude. Truly, absurdly rude!”

Hehadbeen rude. He wasn’t polished on his best day—an admitted hothead—but tonight had been worse.

Back in their den, she threw her cloak aside. “You’ve been horrible to Emilia and to Arctos!”

“Oh, I’ve been horrible? If only you knew…”

“Then tell me!”

When he hesitated, she gave a growl. “Stop treating me like I’m breakable. I am strong, and I’ve faced countless foes. Pregnancy is nothing compared to a dozen strigoi attacking as one.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “It’s not you I’m worried about.” His gaze dipped to her belly—large, taut, full of the life he’d been terrified to hope for. “We’re so close.”

“So now you admit to worrying about the babe? You wouldn’t before. I saw you meet gazes with Hulda tonight. She feigned a smile for you.Feignedit, Torben!” Dagny was usually slow to anger. The pregnancy must be affecting her. Or maybe she’d been moonstruck as well.

He tried for lightness. “For all we know, Hulda was suffering heartburn from all the mugs she quaffed.” One time, out of sight of Dagny, the woman had slid him a look, a godsdamnedsadlook. Recalling it made his fury spike even more. “She shouldn’t even have been there! And she never should have hurt you with her words. Her little ‘foretellings’ were a curse!” When Dagny’s eyes went wide, he forced himself to breathe. “Look, it’s done, and we’re almost home, just days from meeting our child. We need to be rational about this.”

She stiffened, her muscles seeming to lock. “So the pregnant female isirrational?”

Oh, fuck. “That’s not what I meant. But maybe right now I see things more clearly than you can.” Oh,fuck. “I’m just saying I don’t feel half of the aches and pains you do. So you can rely more on me.”

“You already seem to carry the weight of the world. Which you’ve refused to share with me!”

“I’m not saying anything right tonight,” he muttered with a groan. And she was taking everything wrong! Realizing this exchange wouldn’t magically take on a productive note, he said, “I need a minute to cool off.”

“Good idea.” Her expression couldn’t seem to decide between relieved and heartbroken, but her body quaked. “Go.”