Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Sixty-Six: Blinding

"I'll be what? I can't be that far along, can I?" She shrugged.

"Rider's have accelerated pregnancies. No one knows quite why I'd say that its due to your lifestyle. You are a mix of both human and elf, so I suppose that will also affect your gestation period."

"How many moon cycles are we looking at?" I asked her as I sighed. Yirlitá rubbed her hands together before she pulled up the hem of my shirt and pressed her palm flat against my stomach.

"I'd say about three, mayhap four moon cycles." Yirlitá replied, cocking her head to the side. "the babe will come before the first snow."

"That fast?" I mumbled to myself. Yirlitá shrugged at me.

"At least you won't be sick for two years like us normal elven woman." I cringed at the thought. Normally, elves had a gestation of two years before their children were born. I could not imagine having morning sickness for that long. "You are already halfway through your pregnancy, I should think that once the babe starts growing in size, your sickness will subside."

"Halfway?" I gaped at her. "I don't even have a home!"

"Nonsense!" Yirlitá said, waving a hand. "The elves of Osilon would be more than happy to lend you their voices and skill! There are plenty of three's in this wood,"

I sighed to myself as Yirlitá clicked her tongue.

"There is always the old wood, just north of the city. Your Dragon's might appreciate the spot. I've no doubt that you and your husband will find a tree there."

"We aren't married yet," I mumbled underneath my breath. Yirlitá raised an eyebrow before chuckling.

"The babe take you by surprise?" I nodded in reservation. Yirlitá waved her hand once more. "bah! Twill be alright, child. We elves are not as judgmental as humans, every babe is a cherished gift itself."

"Dragon Rider?" A voice spoke from behind the bedroom door. "I have the child's clothing."

A tall woman with hair as black as mine entered the room and deposit the garments onto the table before backing out.

"Child," Yirlitá said, grasping my hands. "you should not worry, your babe is well cared for and in safe hands. You will bore her before the first snow, and all will be well, have no worries."

"Her?" I asked, my eyebrow's pulling together. Yirlitá nodded with a kind smile.

"Aye, your first shall be a girl." My thoughts raced as fast as the storms near Vroenguard. A girl? Would Murtagh care that it wasn't a boy like so many men wished for? "and if that man of yours gives you any trouble about it being she, send him my way."

I watched with wide eyes as Yirlitá strode out of the room with a dangerous glint in her eyes and a chuckle on her lips. I shook my thoughts clear and picked up the set of clothing that had been dropped off.

It was a pair of dark grey pants that would fit Grifen properly long with a long tunic that was a vibrant red color with pink, yellow, and orange flowers embroidered along the neckline. I hoped she liked the bright colors.

I headed back into the bathroom where Grifen was blowing bubbles in the water with her nose. I smiled at her childness before shutting the door behind me and swapping the clothing for a plush towel.

"Alright, Fen," I said as I unfolded the towel. "time to get out."

Grifen pouted at me. I rolled my eyes at her.