Emotion sparked in my chest. I already knew that, but hearing it from somebody else felt so good.
Animus never answered me earlier. Did he believe we were fated mates? Would he believe it now that Nautilus said it, too? I turned to my mate, hope building inside me.
Animus's eyelashes fluttered as he met my gaze. My heart squeezed with affection. The love in his eyes gave it away already, but I yearned to hear him say it.
"Yes," Animus murmured. "Wearefated mates."
Happiness overwhelmed me. I hugged Animus, grinning wildly as I buried my face in his neck. I never wanted to let him go. His scent was incredible, and he was so warm...
Actually, he was noticeably warmer than usual. I wondered why.
Nautilus exhaled a dramatic sigh. "Ah, new love... As much as you irritate me, Animus, you know I am not immune to romance."
"I appreciate your sappiness," Animus teased.
Suddenly realizing something, I turned to Nautilus. "You have a fated mate, too, don't you? It's Dr. Pine—Uncle Nero and Nishiki's mother."
The water spirit's draconic face softened. "That is correct. Although she is a human, and not a shifter."
"That's what you meant about Nautilus no longer being unique," I said to Animus, who smirked.
"Yes. Now I'm stealing his thunder."
"Always with the stealing," Nautilus mumbled.
The urge to hug Animus took over me. When we were together, I craved physical closeness and affection like never before. I could've spent the whole day wrapped up in his arms. I was so happy embracing him that I completely forgot Nautilus was there until he cleared his throat.
"What?" I asked.
"There is something else I must relay, if you care to hear it," he said.
"You can tell us. But I'm not going to stop hugging my mate," I replied.
Animus smiled, his moonlight-colored eyes shining.
"That is fine. But Animus, are you not already aware?"
"Aware of what?" he asked.
"Ah. I see... Then let me be the bearer of news." Nautilus stood up straight as if preparing to make a great announcement. "Animus, my spirit kin, the lone omega among us all..."
He paused for way too long. I'd learned that spirits had a bad sense of time, but even Animus noticed this was extraordinarily delayed.
"What? Spit it out already," he ordered.
"Animus," Nautilus said. "You are pregnant."
Sixteen
Animus
"I... what in the fucking hell are you talking about?" I blurted out. Rage burned inside of me. "If this is your idea of a joke, it's sick, and I won't—"
"A joke?" Nautilus huffed and crossed his arms. "I beg your pardon. I do not joke about this sort of thing. Surely you know me better than that."
I didn't know what to think anymore. Nautilus had gone from hostile and snarky to a mushy romantic sap in the span of only a few moments. I'd expected an unfriendly welcome, but this warmer side of him was even more unexpected.
And I didn't know what to make of his declaration. It couldn't be true, but despite our turbulent past, I doubted Nautilus would lie about this.