Viper's Kiss - Lisa Smedman [96]
"I was not suggesting that you speak with Zelia," Karrell said. She raised her right hand and nodded at the ring on her finger. "And she will not learn that you are alive. Not from me."
Arvin shook a finger at her. "Don't do it. Gods only know what Zelia will do to you. She's dangerous," he repeated again, grasping at straws. "She's-" yuan-ti," Karrell said. "As am I." She glared at him. "And do not presume to give me orders. I am not human, and you are not my…" She paused, searching for the word. "Not my husband. Even if you did quicken my eggs." Tossing her hair angrily, she turned her back.
Arvin's mouth gaped open. "Your what?"
She touched her stomach. "My eggs," she repeated softly.
Arvin stared at Karrell. "You're pregnant?" he asked in a strained whisper. "But it's only been"-he did a quick tally in his head-"two days-no, three-since we first…" He shook his head. "How could you possibly know so soon?"
"My scales," she said. "They are shedding out of season-it is one of the early signs." She touched a hand to her belly. "And the way I… feel. I know."
Arvin was stunned. He didn't know what to say. What to think. If Karrell was right, he was a father. Or soon would be. The thought terrified him; he knew nothing about children. "How long until…" He swallowed hard, and rubbed his forehead. His wound was bothering him again.
Beside Arvin, someone cleared his throat hesitantly- the cleric. He had completed his healing; Tanglemane was back on his feet, his color restored. The cleric had walked over to where Arvin stood without Arvin even noticing.
"Are you Arvin?" he asked.
Arvin nodded. Eggs, Karrell had said. Plural. How many eggs?
"I'm to convey you to Ormpetarr at once," the cleric continued. "The baron needs your mind magic. There's someone at the palace who's… not well. Will you come? You must be willing, in order for me to teleport you."
"I don't have any healing powers," Arvin protested. Absently, he rubbed at his forehead. The itching was getting worse.
"The baron needs you to… listen to some thoughts," the cleric said.
"Whose?" Arvin asked absently. He stared at Karrell, realizing he hardly knew her. Yet she bore his child. His children.
"A… demon's," the cleric whispered, shooting a worried glance at Karrell.
Arvin rubbed his itching forehead. No, not itching. Tickling. The flutter was back-had been back, for some time.
Naneth was listening.
"It is all right," Karrell assured the cleric. "I know all about Glis-"
Arvin sprang forward and clapped a hand across her mouth. With his free hand he signaled frantically, jerking two V-splayed fingers over his shoulder.
Karrell's eyes widened.
Pretending that he was worried about the cleric overhearing, Arvin whispered fiercely at Karrell in a voice he hoped was loud enough for Naneth to hear. "The cleric isn't one of us. Don't say anything that will give the game away. Don't mention Lord Wianar. Or the fact that it's not… not really Glisena that Foesmasher has, but a… an illusion. If they find out Glisena is really in… in Arrabar, they might find her."
The tickling in his forehead faded. Arvin stared at Karrell, stricken by the knowledge that they had probably just given the game away, despite his feeble attempt to lay a false trail. He let his hand fall away from Karrell's mouth.
Her eyes asked a silent question.
"Too late," he croaked. "She heard all of it Karrell's mouth tightened.
As the cleric looked back and forth between Arvin and Karrell, obviously confused. "Are you willing to come?" he asked. "Can I teleport you?"
"Teleport both of us," Karrell said. "To wherever Glisena is. As quickly as you can."
She held out a hand for Arvin. He took it.
"Let's hope Naneth doesn't beat us there," he said. Karrell nodded grimly. "Yes."
When they arrived at the palace, the baron was waiting. His face was haggard as he strode across