Chapter 46

ANSEL POV

Ansel entered the manor and dropped his bags on the ground. “I know I say it all the time, but there is nothing like being in your own bed.” He peered around at the empty corridor.

Where is everyone?

As if on cue, the butler and Maggie appeared. They bowed. “Apologies for not greeting you at the door, sir,” the butler said. “We were making sure that your room was heated, and everything completed per your request when you return from travel.

“Not a problem. Have the cooks gone to bed?”

“Yes, but I can wake them.”

“No. I’ll wait until morning. Honestly, I’m so exhausted that I would probably fall headfirst into my soup.” He looked past them and furrowed his brow. “Where is Karin? Did you not tell her I would arrive within the hour?”

Maggie nodded. “Yes, but she’s pretty tired. She’s in bed.” Her voice was shaky, and Ansel tilted his head.

“What’s going on? Is she unwell?”

She sighed. “Lady Karin hasn’t come out of her room since yesterday afternoon. I’ve been tending to her, but I think she could really use you.”

Moving swiftly, Ansel climbed the steps two by two and rushed to Karin’s room. Opening the door, the blackened bedroom held an air of despair. Her back was to him, and he could hear shallow breathing. “Karin?” Her body went rigid, but she didn’t turn around. Her shoulder shook, and he heard a muffled cry. Entering, Ansel closed the door behind him and sat beside her on the bed. He flicked on the lamp and rubbed her arm. “Turn around,” he said. When she did he saw the puffiness of her face. “Why are you crying?” he asked, and she wiped her tears.

“Because I didn’t get it right,” she whispered.

“Didn’t get what right?” She looked at him and her sorrow pierced his heart. “Come here, Little Wolf,” he said and pulled her into his arms. Suzaran filled his nose as she buried her face in his chest. “Now, what’s this all about?”

“I have my period.”

Ansel scrunched his face in confusion. “I wish not to sound insensitive, but I’m unsure how to move forward with that piece of information. Perhaps this would be better discussed with—”

“Ansel,” she said, and he silenced. “I have my period,” she repeated. “I didn’t conceive you an heir.”

He grabbed her arms and pulled her away. “Is that what this is about? Karin, you scared the hell out of me.” He exhaled in relief. “I’ve been away slaughtering everything in sight and somehow where I thought this conversation was headed terrified me more.” She didn’t laugh, and he released her shoulders. “Please smile. The thought of it is the only thing that’s been keeping me going since I’ve been away.”

New tears ran down her face. “How can you not be disappointed with me? You solidified doctors, medicines, viability test. We’ve been having sex a lot and you’ve practically done everything to make sure that I’m comfortable and have anything I need, and I still can’t do the one thing that you need me to do.” She looked down at her lap. “I’m really trying, Ansel, but I can’t stop thinking that I’m ruining things for you. Things have been so great between us, and I don’t want to disappoint you and then you regret me. So I understand if you decide to choose someone else for this.”

Ansel raised her head and clasped her face. “How could you say that? You’ve brought so much life to this place. I hear the maids singing as they work and for the first-time people are relaxed around me. Do you know I talk to people now? I mean full on conversations. The other day I learned that it’s a rumor among my gammas that one is an undercover serial killer because he drinks plain milk before and after every battle. I do not know how the deduction was made, and honestly his dairy habits do concern me now, nevertheless the point is I was a part of the conversation.” She laughed, and he wiped a tear from her face. “Perfect,” he said, and she blushed. “Karin, we’ve grown to such a different place than when we started, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

“Then know when I say things to you, I mean them. You drive me insane”—she glared at him and he chuckled—“but I wouldn’t want to fight with anyone else.” He hugged her tightly. “I wouldn’t want to go through this with anyone else, and I have no desire to be with anyone else. Things will work out the way they should.”

Karin reached for his face and connected their lips. Wrapping his hands in her hair, Ansel craned her neck and deepened their kiss. She groaned against his mouth, and he broke away. “Why did you stop?” He placed her hand on his pants and her eyebrows raised. “Oh…well I can still help you with that.”

He grinned. “My, my, the Little Wolf is no longer shy.”

“Stop teasing me.”

Ansel chuckled. “Sorry.” He repositioned her and they looked up at the small amount of light that cascaded on the ceiling. “You know, I found myself pretty peeved with you during my trip.”

“Why?”

He smirked. “Because not once did you send me a link. I watched Henry rip bearmen into pieces while giving Maggie a play-by-play, but my own mate treated me like chopped liver.”

Karin cackled loudly at the playful pout on his face. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I will harass you during all future trips.”

“I know you’re being your naturally sarcastic self, but I would appreciate the gesture.” He nudged her. “You could also show me a bit of your brazen, dirty talk at night.”

“I do not dirty talk.”

“Yes you do. Oh Ansel, you’re so big. My body is on fire. I can’t cum—”

“Stop that!” she shouted, completely flushed.

He chuckled. “I just wanted to make you smile.” Pointing at the ceiling, he tilted his head. “Do you remember when we would sneak into each other’s room after lights out in the sanitorium and we would make shadow puppets on the ceiling?” He positioned his hands on a bunny and moved it across the ceiling. “We’d stay up all night.”

Karin positioned her hands in the shape of a fox and attacked his rabbit. “Mhm.”

“Murderer,” he said, dropping his hands, and she arched her eyebrow.

“Do you really want to go down that road?” Ansel shook his head in amusement, and she laid her head on his arm. She ran her hand under his shirt and traced a healing wound. “Already healing?”

“Comes with the territory. In a few days, everything will be good as new.”

“Ansel, there is something I need to say. I’m sorry for what I said to you about being too sick in the past.”

He rubbed her hair. “It’s alright.”

“No it isn’t. It was cruel and unfair to you, and I owe you an overdue apology.”

“Thank you.” He paused. “You know what I realize? The world works in a strange way. Sometimes we run away from what’s meant to be and when we do, we’re given a sign that directs us back to where we belong.”

Karin sat quiet for a moment, then bit the side of her lip. “Ansel?”

“Yes?”

“Do you dream?”

His body went rigid, and he sat up. “Why do you ask me that?”

“Well…you know about my powers.”

“Are you telling me you’ve invaded my dreams?”

Karin shook her head. “No, but strange things have been happening when I dream.”

“Like what?”

“Like I dream of you, the manor, and…”

He looked at her intensely. “And what, Karin?”

“Of a little girl who looks like me but has your eyes. She is our daughter, but the strange part is some things that she says. They’re almost like they apply to the real world if that makes sense.” He could hardly hear her as the color drained from his face.

Jemma.

He’d pushed her off as his imagination, but if Karin was dreaming about her too, then something was going on. Ansel rose from the bed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry, Karin,” he said. “I want to continue our conversation, but I’m beyond exhausted. I think I’m going to shower and turn in for the evening.”

“Oh, of course. I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

Grabbing her hand, Ansel made her stand. “I’ve been away for two weeks. You’re not sleeping in here. Bring you pillow, teddy or whatever you need to get comfortable and let’s go.” Karin rolled her eyes but followed him to his room. Watching her climb into bed, he retreated to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and let the water soak his hair.

This makes little sense.

How could a dream be real? It both perplexed him and left him uncomfortable. Showering thoroughly, he exited and threw a towel around his waist.

I need to talk to Karin about what I’ve been dreaming about too.

Ansel exited the bathroom to the sound of Karin lightly snoring. Sighing, he quickly dressed and joined her in bed.