It's been 6 agonisingly long weeks since the night we met Ryan. Agonising because things were going good, no actually everything was wonderful. Ryan, even though he was extremely busy with all his royal duties, always made time for me. During the day we had our classes. Different masters of the magical arts were hired to train us in our different powers, and Ryan was my flying teacher. After our flying lesson we always had lunch together. One day he even made us a picnic basket and we sat outside in the sun just getting to know each other. At night, when his duties for the day was fulfilled, we'd watch a movie or play bored games, anything to be together.
Now why do I describe this as agonising? It's because nothing bad has happened. Razzardus knows about us and still he hasn't done anything to try and expose me or attack or even kidnap me. I couldn't help but feel like this was the calm before the storm. Something bad was going to happen and I knew it. But this feeling I had has been with me for the last two weeks and still nothing. I was becoming completely stressed out, waiting for copiers to break down the door.
There was a knock on my door. "Come in" I yelled putting the lip gloss away. I had my hair in a pony tail (Having it loose was not a smart idea when you went flying), with a little eye liner and lip gloss. My clothes the last couple of weeks consisted mostly of tracksuits since I did nothing but train the whole day.
"Hey sis" Zanne said as she came bouncing into my room and plopped down onto my bed.
"Hey" I said "you going to join me for breakfast?" I asked
"Oh no, I can't stand the sight of food this early in the morning" she replied. This made me frown. You could wake Zanne up with the word bacon but she can't eat breakfast?
That's another thing that was bothering me. Zanne with her mood swings. One moment she was hyper with happiness, the next she'd bite your head of for saying it's a nice day.
"Hey! I can hear you. And I'm not moody! Maybe I don't want to eat with you because you keep insulting me in your mind?" she asked already worked up. See what I mean?
"I didn't mean it in a bad way Zanne, I'm just a little worried about you" I said soothingly causing her too calm down. That was a good thing. Since she was starting to learn how to press her own emotions to others the whole castle has been going crazy.
"I know. The truth is you're right. Listen, there's something I want to tell you. I didn't want to at first because I wasn't sure if I was right but I just have to tell somebody!" she said her mood changing to one of excitement
"You can tell me anything" I said with a small smile. Her excitement was already starting to rub of on me.
"Well, I think I'm pregnant." she said with a shriek bouncing up and down on the water bed causing me to almost fall off.
"Pregnant?" I asked not sure that I heard right. I knew this shouldn't come as a shock to me but I still felt a little light headed. I had no idea how I was supposed to feel about this.
"Yeah you know. The whole nine month, big tummy, little screaming baby pops out pregnancy thing" she explained with her hands in the air like I was mentally challenged
"I know what pregnancy is!" I said pressing her hands down "But why do you think that?" I asked. I was actually a little scared of the chance that she might be pregnant. Raising a baby when a war could be breaking out any second was not going to be an easy task.
"Well I was late this month. Actually I'm already 3 weeks late." she said with a small smile
I couldn't help but give her a big hug at the news. Even though it would be tricky, it was still an amazing thing to have a child and I couldn't take away that happiness because of my fears.
"I know it's probably not the best time to become pregnant, with the war and all, but I just can't help but be happy about this. To think a little Zanne/Xander is lying in my tummy... " she said pulling away and touching her flat stomach.
"Of course you should be happy! This is wonderful news Zanne. And any problems that comes our way we'll handle." I said with determination. No one is going to lay a finger on my niece or nephew. I could feel myself getting excited once again, just thinking that I am going to be an aunt!
"Have you told Xander yet?" I asked with a big smile. Her emotions once again taking control of mine.
"No. I know he wants children but I don't want to get his hopes up just to crush it later. I wanted to get a test done but Ryan will tell Xander the moment he finds out and no healer will hide this from him" she said with a sigh.
"Oh yes he will" I said with a plan forming in my mind. Ryan was very strict in following his morals. And keeping secrets was a lie. No matter how much we reasoned about it he still kept his view about the matter. But maybe if I had a little help in convincing him, we could make sure and still give Zanne a chance to tell Xander first.
I grabbed Zanne's hand and went flying through the corridors. I had the west wing, where all the occupied rooms were in, memorised. The south wing was where all the classes were in and east were guest rooms, but those were still a little tricky. In the north wing I could get to the kitchen, dining room and front door but that was it. Any other turn and my King had to come and save me.
I stopped in front of the door that I spent most of my afternoons. Queen Lilliana's suite. I knocked on the door until I heard the familiar "enter" that she usually used
I dragged Zanne in behind me as we walked to the chair in the corner. The queens face immediately brightened when she saw me. With me and Zanne in the castle to give her a little company she looked more alive than ever.
"Oh my dears it's wonderful to see you, as always, but aren't you a little early for a visit?" she asked with her brows raised questioningly
"Hey mom," I said giving her a peck on the cheek " Actually we're not here for a social call. We need a favour." I continued already giving her my best puppy dog eyes.
"Oh please stop with that face. You look more like a fish than a puppy" she said causing me to chuckle. She really was something
"Aunt Lilliana" Zanne piped in "I have something to tell you" Zanne and Queen Lilliana have become quite close during the last 2 weeks, with the people to a minimum and Zanne being a social creature it was only natural for Zanne to spend at least an hour a day in this room.
"You want to tell me that you're pregnant?" Queen Lilliana asked casually making us look at her in shock. She really did know everything
"Oh don't look at me like that. It was obvious. Rey is looking like an excited aunt, you have happiness mixed with fear and love in your eyes and the last three weeks I've often seen you thinking deep about something. All of that plus the fact that you're a newly wed couple can only lead to one conclusion" she said like anyone would be able to see it.
The last 5 weeks I've learned that this women had a gift for reading people but it still shocked me nevertheless when she did something like this
"Actually Mom, we're not sure. We want to be positive before telling Xander the news but to keep it away from Ryan would be impossible." I said with a sigh
"And once Ryan find out he will run to Xander as fast as his legs could carry him. He always says that keeping secrets is like lying. I think he just likes to gossip" Queen Lilliana said with a huff.
"I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case" I replied with a little laugh " but I need your help. Even though I took your advise to heart about keeping him in line, I know that he won't listen to me about this" I explained "I need your help to convince him to stay quiet at least until tonight. If we both tell him maybe he'll agree"
"I don't know, but I guess it's worth a shot" Thankfully I smiled at her before using our mind link to call for Ryan.
'Ryan?' I called.
'Hey true love of mine. Don't tell me your brave King needs to come and rescue you once again?" he asked with a chuckle making me smile
'Not this time. But I need to talk to you. If you have a minute can you meet me in moms suite?" I asked
'It sounds serious. Is something wrong?' he asked worried
'No, no, no. Everything is fine. I just have to ask you something.' I quickly said soothingly
'I'm on my way' I heard before being cut off.
"He's on his way" I informed Zanne
"Go take the test. We'll sort him out." Queen Lilliana told Zanne reassuringly
We waited patiently for him to arrive and like I suspected it was much harder for him to say no to both of us.
"She deserves the chance to tell him herself" I tried to convince him
"But don't you think he would want to be there when she hears the good news?" he asked
"And if it's not good news? You know how sensitive werewolves can be in matters concerning their pups. " Queen Lilliana reasoned
He gave a sigh and went to sit on the chair closest to him "I still think he deserves to know."
"He does. But that is for Zanne to do not us." I said
"Why? It concerns him just as much as her. Why should she be the one to decide to keep it from him?" he said standing back up
"All I'm asking is to give her until tonight. If she's pregnant she would have told him by then." I begged
"Fine. But if she hasn't told him when the clock strikes 7 I'm doing it myself" he threatened before walking out the door.
As soon as he was out I thanked Queen Lilliana and made my way to the infirmary where Zanne would be. When I got there Zanne was sitting outside the door on a bench, tears streaming down her face. Oh no, I thought running to her to try to comfort her with a hug
When I sat down she lifted her head. Between her tears I could now see her brilliant smile. I didn't know how to interpret this.
"It's positive" she sobbed out in a laugh
"You mean...?" I asked hesitantly
"I'm pregnant!" She screeched grabbing me in a tight hug
Slowly a smile started on my face. She was pregnant! I was going to be an aunt! With a laugh I pulled away from her choking grip. "I'm so happy for you!" I laughed out
We stood there laughing and crying about the good news for about 5 minutes before we calmed down enough to speak
"What did Ryan say?" she asked nervously
"He'll give you until tonight at 7 to tell Xander." I replied, just happy that there would be good news to tell
"How am I going to tell him?" she voiced a new thought that came into her mind " I know he'll be happy but I also know that he would want to celebrate it. I need to do something special"
"I have an idea! Why not throw a party?" I said excited at the prospect of actually having a party after so long
"That's a good idea. We can have a surprise party for him. Congratulate him on becoming a daddy party. But who are we going to invite? We don't really know anyone here and his parents can't be here before tonight" she said with a sigh
"Leave it up to me. You just make sure that Xander doesn't come near the North wing of the castle." I said before giving her one last hug and making my way towards where I sensed Ryan.
In my excitement I burst into the conference room, where I sensed Ryan, without knocking. Result? Me standing in a room full of snobby professional people that all looked down on me with distaste. Since I've been here only the servants and teachers have seen us in the castle. Ryan believed that Razzardus still didn't know that we had in fact contacted him. So by staying unseen we reduced the risk of an attack before we were ready.
"Rey, what a surprise. You're early" Ryan said quickly standing up to attract the attention away from me.
I looked at him confused. We didn't have an appointment. "Ladies and gentleman, I asked Reyna to join us in today's meeting since all the people I regard as close and personal friends are gathered here. And I want you all to be the first to know about our good news" he said with a charming smile. His words obviously suited the snobby people in the room as the all sat up a little straighter in knowing that they were regarded as close friends of the King
"This beautiful woman you see here," he said walking towards me "is my true love" With those words whispers erupted throughout the room. Everyone clearly excited about the news
"When is the wedding?","I know the perfect fairies to create the wedding dress!", "I wish I was her" went throughout the room
"People, people calm down. We only just met and I do not wish to hurry her. But I did want to brag a little. For now I wish for this to remain confidential. I'm sure you would respect my wishes?" He said slowly. His voice warning anyone who dared to say anything
Everyone in the room seemed to be a little put out by this, but nodded their heads nonetheless.
As soon as the meeting was over I breathed a sigh of relief. No one knew about me, and my secret was safe for now. But I knew that we won't have a lot of time before they start talking about a new queen and Razzardus will know that it was me. I didn't have time to worry about that now however. I promised Zanne a party, and she was going to have one!
I asked Ryan of the favour I needed and he immediately agreed. Next I called Alpha Naomi to inform her of the good news. The Alpha, Alpha female and a couple of their closest friends were planning on leaving right away. Ryan would be sending a couple of his sport cars to meet them halfway (Apparently he drove around in a carriage only on official royal business). If we were lucky they would arrive just before 7, giving me enough time to organise the party.
It was 6 and everything was perfect. Everything except me. I ran to get dressed and decided on a black cocktail dress with black heels. I quickly reapplied my make-up before making my way to the entrance where the people seemed to be arriving.
Zanne had helped when she wasn't busy distracting Xander so I told her about the Alpha Female. She was extremely pleased. Zanne and Alpha Naomi had been sending letters to and fro since we arrived and they've started to bond.
I looked at my watch to see that it was 18:55. We had five minutes before Ryan, who was keeping an eye on Xander while me and Zanne were getting ready, would be allowed to bring Xander in. Just then Zanne entered, looking breathtaking in the soft flowing green dress she was wearing. She spotted Alpha Naomi and immediately rushed forward to give her a hug. Before anything could be said however I whistled. Gaining everyone's attention.
"We have five minutes people. Everybody follow me." I ordered before starting off in the direction of the dining room. When everyone was in their positions the lights were turned of and a silence filled the room.
I could feel Ryan and Xander getting closer and closer. "I don't want ice cream. Do I look 5 years old to you?" I heard Xander say before Ryan opened the door and put on the lights.
"Why is it so dark in here anyway?" Xander continued with his rambling
"Surprise!" We yelled as we jumped out from where we were hiding as soon as the lights went on. Xander looked surprised, then happy, then confused.
"Congratulations man" Ryan said first, earning him a frown
Congratulations were filling the air as everyone tried to get to Xander to shake his hand. Xander kept trying to tell people that his birthday wasn't for another 8 months but everybody just ignored him.
Finally Zanne came to a stop in front of him. "It's not my birthday Zanne. What's going on?" He asked, hoping he would finally get an answer.
"Can't we celebrate your status upgrade daddy?" Zanne asked with a small meaningful smile
"Daddy?" he asked confused before his eyes started to grow. Hesitantly he put his hand on Zanne's stomach before looking at her questioningly. She just nodded her head to confirm his unspoken question.
A big smile broke out on his face as he picked Zanne up to spin her around in the air. He put her down and gave her a long kiss before turning to the crowd around him.
He gave a fist punch into the air "I'm going to be a daddy!" he yelled causing applause and whistles to echo through the castle.