Free Mated to the Vampire Kings by Charlene Hartnady Page A

nothing better than diarrhea…” Tanya
laughed but it very quickly turned into a sob and she felt her lip wobble.
    “Oh,
honey.” Becky shouldered Zane out of the way and hugged her tight. “You are
going to be just fine.”
    “What
about my baby?” She pushed her face into Becky’s shoulder, trying hard to stifle
the tears and failing.
    “This
is strictly precautionary. Put your feet up. Take it really easy. I need to
hustle back to Sweetwater to get the meds, just in case. You are both going to
be just fine.” Becky spoke in a soothing voice. It had the desired effect. Her
friend also stroked the back of her head.
    “Bring
your wolf and move into the castle. The three of you can stay in Ross’ old
room.” Brant spoke carefully. Tanya could hear that he was trying to keep the
growl out of his voice.
    Becky
tensed, pulling away from Tanya. “I don’t think that’s necessary. If Tanya goes
into labor, it will be a long process. I’m only twenty minutes away.”
    Zane
made a sound of affirmation. “Move in healer. Your shifter would be welcome.
We”—he looked across at Brant—“would feel better knowing you were close.”
    Becky
shook her head. “Trust me…If I thought it would help, I would move in but my
being here won’t help one bit.”
    Brant
growled.
    “Stop
it.” Tanya narrowed her eyes at Brant. “Becky will come immediately if need be.
I also have Selina. You heard Becky…” She swallowed hard. “Everything is going
to be okay .” Her voice hitched on the word okay. She took a deep breath
and bit down on her lip to keep it from quivering.
    “Right…”
Becky clapped her hands together. “You boys get Tanya settled in her room and
I’m headed back to town.”
    There
was a hard cracking noise above her. When she looked up, Brant was holding his
head and Zane looked dazed but shook it off. Becky cracked up laughing. A
giggle escaped when Tanya realized that they had knocked heads.
    “I
will carry our female,” Zane growled.
    Trying
to both pick her up at once it seemed.
    “I
will do it.” Brant gripped her wrist possessively.
    “Like
fuck,” Zane snarled.
    “Back
the fuck off or so help me.” Brant’s hands knotted at his sides and his face
became distorted with rage.
    “How
about you carry me half way?” She looked pointedly at Brant before turning her
eyes to Zane. “Then you can carry me the other half.”
    Brant
gave a hard jerk of his head and Zane backed up, giving the other male room. He
picked her up like it was the easiest thing in the world.
    “Put
your arms around my neck, Cenwein.” His eyes softened up as they met with hers.
Tanya did as he said. Feeling his warmth seep into her. His clean, manly scent
enveloped her.
    This
was going to be okay.
    Just
fine.
    Nothing
to be concerned about.
    She
would follow Becky’s advice to the letter, starting with no stress. Tanya
relaxed into Brant’s strong arms.
    “That’s
it, sweetness.” Zane’s deep voice helped to soothe her. When she looked his
way, she noticed that his eyes were filled with concern. He gave her a tight
smile.
    Nothing
to worry about.
    If
she exuded it, maybe they would believe it. What was that saying again? Oh
yeah, fake it till you make it.
    There
was a knock at the door.
    Brant
tensed, pulling her closer. Although all of their eyes were on the door, no one
made a move to open it. Another knock, louder this time.
    “Come
in,” Zane finally growled.
    York
put his head around the jam. “Apologies for the interruption, my lords…my
lady.” He bowed his head for a second.
    The
castle was noisy, noisier than normal. She didn’t think it was possible but
Brant tensed up even more, his body turned to stone, and his chest heaved
against her. She strained to hear what was going on but York moved inside,
closing the door behind him. Drowning out the noise…mostly.
    Zane
flashed a fang on a silent snarl.
    “We
have a little”—York darted his eyes from Zane to Brant and back