-Conor-“She has been learning a lot… I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it was eventually going to catch up with her.” Joanne said with a frown. “She’s really been pushing herself in all areas, including magically.”“Karen has been trying especially hard to learn our culture for the last several weeks. I’m really proud of her. She learns quickly and retains what she learns.” Conor said looking down at his ring and smiling happily. “Can you believe we have been married for almost four months now?” He asked looking back at her. Why is the blanket moving like that? “Is she shivering?” He asked getting up and touching her forehead. She was cold to the touch and he could see she looked simply exhausted despite two days of not actually doing lessons. “Bring some more blankets please.” Conor instructed, rubbing Karen’s arms vigorously to help warm her up. Maybe it’s another cold spell. I know she still gets them from time to time.“On it!” Joanne said rushing into the next room. She came
-Karen-“Thank you my love. That means a lot to me.” I replied proudly as I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I used to have fatigue attacks all the time when I was a new Mage, Conor. I tried so hard to keep up with the other Mages and I still had to do my servant duties, so I was constantly exhausted.” I recalled finishing the cheese and berries. I cut a piece of the cheesecake and held it to his lips. “Eat it.”“It’s for you though.” He replied shaking his head. I mocked him and he opened his mouth to chide me. I saw my opportunity and took it. We ate the cheesecake together as he glared. You should have seen that coming honey. We constantly harass each other... I giggled as he rolled his eyes. After several minutes, I finished the last bite and licked my lips completely satisfied with my dinner. He took the plate, set it on the table and then went to build a fire to warm the room for me. I silently got up as he stared at the burning fire for more than ten minutes. I know you’re worr
-Karen-We lay there in each other’s embrace panting. “That was amazing… Worth all the yelling and possible beating I’m going to get from Bart later.” He whispered. “I hope that helped warm you up too.” We snickered together quietly.“You think he’s going to yell?” I asked with a grin. Don’t yell too much Bart.“Probably… I’ll just expect it and hope he won't.” He whispered nuzzling my neck. How should I do this…? I have no idea what I should say… “Are you feeling okay? You look exhausted and sad.” He asked with concern. I nodded and sighed. I said the first thing that came to mind. “I have to go away for a while…” I replied sadly. Six weeks… I won't remember anything like last time. “Where are you going?” He asked sitting up next to me. “And why am I just finding out about this now?!” He had concern written all over his face. Uh oh- Uh… “I was afraid you would be mad.” I whispered trying to grab his hand. He pulled away from my grasp and pulled me up to sit next to him. What do I
-Karen-I finished the bowl of tangy berries and set the empty bowl down on the floor and turned to him. The expression on his face broke my resolve instantly. I choked out a sob as I bowed my head in utter defeat. He wrapped me up tightly as we both cried. “It’s only six weeks! It’s going to be fine, Kay! I promise you- you’re not going away forever.” He croaked, kissing me trying to be reassuring.“You say that, but it doesn’t make me feel better…” I cried as my throat tightened again. Six weeks I won't remember.He moved towards the center of the bed and I felt the exhaustion drag my energy levels down further. He pulled me towards him as I started to get sleepy. I heard the door open and then close, but I didn’t want to expend the energy finding out who came in the room. Although the presence was very familiar to me.Conor wrapped me in his warm embrace and kissed me deeply. “When I first met you, I hated you, Conor. I hated you so much. I wanted to destroy you and make you suffer
-Conor-Three weeks had passed since Karen had fallen asleep. Conor had been trying hard to cope with her absence, but it was evident that he was struggling with it. “Hey in there.” He whispered to her growing bump. “Papa loves you.” He sat there and watched her sleep curled up next to him. Her eyes fluttered open, and she sat up suddenly looking over at him. “Hey… Are you okay?” She asked sleepily. “Don’t be sad Conor…”“You’re awake?” He asked in surprise. Am I dreaming? He kissed her and she kissed him twice. I miss that so much.“I got hungry… Are there any strawberries or cheese cubes for me to pig out on?” Karen asked cozying up to Conor. “No… But I was told that you need to eat those cubes from before. Stay put baby. I’m gonna get you one.” He replied crawling to the foot of the bed. He walked over to the dresser and opened a small sack, pulling out a cube and taking it over to her. Conor placed it in the center of her hand as he sat next to her. “You need to eat that.”Karen
-Conor-Conor looked over to Joanne and smiled sadly. I just have to be patient… It’s going to be over soon. “Honestly, it kills me every time, Jo. Part of me quietly wonders what happens if she doesn’t wake up? What if I never see her again?” He stood up, walking over to his dresser to get fresh clothes. “I wouldn’t want to live if she wasn’t with me. It might sound cliche, but she’s the light in my world and right now, I feel like I'm in the damn dark.” He said turning around to face his cousin. “What would you do if you lost Bart?” I know you’d kill yourself this time. I wouldn’t put it past you not to.She smiled sadly. “That’s easy. I would hang myself. I know I have to get married to another man when we go home… And it’s so hard to think that I won't be able to be with the man that I love… I wish we didn’t ever have to go home.” She said looking down. “I don’t want to marry Justinian… He killed my closest friend because she gave birth to a daughter… And then he killed the baby!”
-Conor-The days continued to slip by as the fifth week march approached. The baby gained the missing weight and a bit extra so there was no further concern over his weight for the time being. The five-week mark came, and Karen woke up and ate more of her dreaded cubes. She rubbed her belly proudly and after talking with Conor for ten minutes, she went back to sleep. The sixth week came and went. Karen slept soundly as she hugged her growing belly in her sleep. The king had sent Conor on another mission and was becoming increasingly frustrated with Nathan’s antics with the decoy camps and clever traps. Zachary practically ignored any mention of Karen at this time to Conor’s extreme relief. However, there was an increase in missions he had to go on to Conor’s great dismay.Two days before the seventh week, Bart had Bertha come by to check on Karen as all three of them had become extremely nervous about this. “We are two days away from the seven-week mark… She hasn’t woken up at all in
-Karen-I slowly opened my eyes and felt Conor’s warmth right next to me. I looked over to him and saw that he was sleeping. He looked exhausted but happy. He moved his hand over my belly and cuddled closer to me. Curiously, I looked down and saw that my belly was quite large. Oh, my goodness! I’m huge! Bigger than the first time which made me nervous because I knew immediately I was far beyond the six-week mark. I look like I swallowed a boulder… I wanted to wake Conor up as fast as I could to find out, but I resisted the temptation. Instead, I balled up one of the blankets next to me and propped myself up into a much more comfortable position. Ah! That’s better! My poor love… I watched Conor sleep for a while until I couldn’t resist waking him up. I slipped back down under the warm blankets so that I could be closer to him. Gently, I caressed his face watching him snuggle into my palm. Conor… I felt warm and content seeing him sleeping so peacefully next to me. I leaned down and ki