“Congratulations?”
Rhys sat, filling a plate for himself.
“On becoming a father.” He waited for his words to sink in.
“You think she’s pregnant?” Jericho made the statement, dumbfounded. “She can’t be pregnant. I had a vasectomy.”
“You mean the human body that is no longer on Earth was unable to produce children. I’m willing to bet that a demi-God, which is what you are, would have noproblem fathering children though. From what I remember of my History lessons at University, the Gods are very prolific.”
Jericho’s eyes narrowed. Rhys felt sorry for Cara. From the look on Jericho’s face, he was about to give his fiancée hell.
“You would think that Cara would inform me of that little detail.”
“Maybe she didn’t know. That could be why she hasn’t told you. She could be unsure of your reaction.” Rhys began to feel nervous for the woman. He liked Cara and enjoyed watching the closeness the couple shared.
Jericho turned without another word, holding the plate as he precariously left the room.
“That wasn’t very nice.” Rhys jumped at Fate’s voice behind him.
Fate gracefully took a seat at the table. “She was going to tell him, Cara was just building up her courage. It is so difficult when others interfere.” Fate stared him straight in the eyes, letting him see her displeasure.
Rhys sat quietly, watching as she took a piece of bacon and with her teeth tore it in half. Rhys’s balls curled into themselves for protection.
Fate smiled as she poured herself a glass of juice. “It was quite fortuitous that you walked by his door at that time and he confided in you. Of course, with two children yourself, you easily recognized the symptoms.”
Rhys began to feel like he had done exactly as she had wanted, and he didn’t appreciate the feeling.
“I take it you are going to be a grandmother?” he said, losing his appetite.
“Yes, I am ecstatic. This one will be the first of many.” When a faraway look entered her eyes, Rhys had an uncomfortable feeling she was counting her future progeny.
He decided to be upfront about his relationship with her daughter. “Broni and I—”
Fate cut him off. “There is no Broni and you. You are merely using my daughterto satiate your physical needs. Broni knows this and accepts it. I, however, do not.”
Rhys did not know what to say at Fate’s censure because he felt anything he said would damn him further in her eyes.
“I have agreed to accept Broni’s decision, for now.” Fate took a drink of her coffee.
“For now?” Rhys questioned, hoping the woman didn’t think he would change his mind.
“Until I don’t, and you will know when that happens.”
Changing the subject, she asked how his visits to the various battlefields had been progressing. He found himself drawn into a long conversation about the outcomes of several battles, even arguing several tactics the commanders had used without success.
Rhys was surprised to discover he liked Fate. She was extremely intelligent and had a grasp on events that rivaled the great minds of known time. She was also easy to talk to, so it was disappointing when she rose, stating she had work to do before excusing herself.
Rhys worked out alone, missing Jericho’s company and deciding to shorten his workout time to find Broni. He found he was actually looking forward to beginning their day.
Chapter 17
It was the bloodiest battle they had been sent to; the casualties were massive. While Broni watched Rhys’s reaction to the bloodbath taking place before them, she was cringing inwardly. As a warrior was slaughtered before her in a gruesome manner, unable to bear the sight, she turned away.
However, Rhys observed the battle differently, analyzing it from both sides, weighing the pros and cons of the strategies the two opposing antagonists were using. Broni smiled at his clenching hands, unconsciously wanting to join in the fight. She was glad he couldn’t; there wasn’t going to be a survivor from this particular battle.
“They’re Vikings.”
“They are. No one survives this battle.” Broni pointed to a large man lying nearby. “He is their leader. His son will grow to be famous, becoming one of their best warriors. A leader known through time. He almost conquered the world.” A proud smile played on Broni’s lips. “If he had not died, I think he would have.”