Rei fell to the ground, her knees having given out from overwhelming surprise.

  “Wha...what just happened?” she asked in a shaky voice.

On their way to the clearing, as well as during the two’s earlier conversation, Rei had been preparing herself for some shocking truths to come to light. Aiz’s visit had made clear that Marcus’s past was far more complex than she had ever expected, but nothing could have readied her for the absurdity of what her husband had just shown her. His explanation as to what a Player was had been vague at best, leaving Rei with more questions than answers, but his subsequent demonstration of what he called “the strength of a Player” had left her stunned.

  “Sorry,” Marcus said as he helped Rei to her feet. “I suck at explaining things, so I thought it’d just be easier to show you what a Player can do.”

Having somewhat regained her composure, Rei stopped leaning on Marcus and took a few short steps past him, staring at the remains of what had once been a tree.

  “Can all Players do that?”

  “Maybe not exactly like that, but most of the Players are strong; there’re guys like Aiz who are even stronger than me. That’s what I want you to understand…”

Her back still to him, Marcus worried that he had scared Rei rather than educated her. She slowly turned back to face him, and Marcus was met with an unexpectedly happy smile.

  “I’m the first person you’ve told all this too, aren’t I? At least, someone that’s not a Player.”

  “Y-yeah, you’re the first one—and the only one I’ll ever tell!”

As he hastily said—or more yelled—the last part, Rei smirked.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

Stolen novel; please report.

  “Who else would I tell?”

  “Marcus, what is it that you think I’ve been wanting to talk to you about?”

‘Oh, shit…’ Marcus’s mind instantly went blank. He had completely forgotten that Rei had been waiting to bring up something since yesterday, and he was pretty certain of what that something was.

  “You...uh. You wanted to-”

Watching as Marcus tried to sputter out a response, Rei could only sigh and shake her head.

  “I thought that maybe you’d caught on by now.” Rei placed her hands on her hips and gave Marcus a knowing look. “I haven’t exactly been subtle the last couple days.”

  “You’re right.” Marcus let out a shaky breath and slapped his cheeks. He wasn’t going to be able to dodge the topic this time. “You want to talk about kids, right?”

  “See, even if you’re still one big walking ball of mystery, I knew I didn’t fall in love with an oaf.”

  “Rei, the thing is… I thought I could keep you safe, but Aiz’s visit… It scared me.” Marcus let out a shaky breath, having finally told her the truth. “I don’t think he’s going to do anything now, but who’s to say someone less forgiving won’t find us one day? I- I just-”

  “I was scared too, Marcus. Even now, a part of me is still scared. But I also know you’ll always protect me. Even if you had to fight someone like Aiz, you wouldn’t run and leave me behind. And I’d do the same. If you’re by my side, it doesn’t matter who comes for us; we’ll face them together.”

  “But it’s not just us you’re talking about!” Marcus went silent for a moment, his outburst shocking him more than it had Rei. “I’m sorry...but I just can’t stop thinking about it, the kind of life our child would have. The danger we’d be putting them in.”

  “What then? Do you want us to cower in fear, our tails between our legs, for the rest of our lives? Don’t let your past stop you from living, Marcus. You belong in the present, with me”—Rei raised her hands and placed them over her stomach—“with both of us.”

‘Both...of us?’

Marcus could only stand there, eyes wide and mouth agape, as the implication of what she’d said dawned on him.

  “D-do you mean…”

  “Yes, you big idiot. I’m already pregnant.”

  “How long…”

  “Two months, give or take. I was waiting for the right time to tell you…”

As her voice trailed off, Marcus realized she was waiting to gauge his reaction to the news. Rather than speak anymore, he strode toward Rei wordlessly and wrapped his arms around her in embrace.

  “I’m sorry if what I said-”

  “Don’t worry, I understand. Just remember that you’re not alone.”

  “I won’t.”

The two of them remained in each other's arms for a few more minutes, until Marcus pat Rei’s head and said,

  “We should head back home.”

  “Yeah,”—Rei looked up at him and smiled—“let’s.”