Ponderosa struggled to remain calm as she attended to Iredys now that Prince Kelton had shown up on her doorstep. She was glad that whatever vision had taken her when Prince Kelton embraced her had calmed or stopped, but how soon she would stir, she still had no idea. She watched Prince Kelton fidget on the chair beside them before a knock on the door shifted her attention and interrupted what the Prince was about to say.

Prince Kelton sat up slowly as Sir Droyn opened the door.

“Is His Majesty with you?” a man asked.

Sir Droyn nodded once, but made no move to open the door further.

Prince Kelton stood and approached the door before Sir Droyn stepped back.

“Take some leisure time,” he told the man outside. “We’ll be here a short while.”

“Request to stay, Your Majesty?” the man asked as the sounds of several other people leaving reached her ears.

Prince Kelton sighed. “No. …In fact, take Sir Droyn with you,” he said, grabbing Sir Droyn and practically throwing him out the door. “You both need a break.”

Prince Kelton closed the door and stood there for a moment before he turned and slowly settled himself on the chair once more. “I have so many questions, but I don’t know where to start,” he said softly.

Iredys stirred and slowly removed her arm from Ponderosa’s waist. She rubbed her eyes then shifted so she could sit up. Ponderosa stood and supported her until she was sitting upright.

‘What can I help you with, Iredys?’ Ponderosa asked.

‘Just to stand for now,’ she replied.

Ponderosa stepped around the cot, so she could help Iredys to her feet. Iredys embraced her tightly. Ponderosa held her just as tightly.

‘What happens now?’ Ponderosa’s thoughts whispered.

‘That depends on Prince Kelton’s ultimate decision,’ Iredys replied. ‘However, all that means is that you are welcome to choose to come with me or stay here in Pride Town.’

Ponderosa’s grip tightened.

‘We will not be leaving today,’ Iredys soothed, ‘so don’t try to rush your decision.’

‘Alright.’

Iredys loosened her hold, but did not let go of Ponderosa as they walked toward the table together. She rested her head on Ponderosa’s shoulder while she mixed up a glass of meal for her.

‘Have you eaten, Ponderosa?’ Iredys asked.

‘I have, My… Iredys,’ Ponderosa replied.

‘Can I make a request?’

‘Anything.’

The two of them walked together to the chair beside the window so Iredys could sit down. Ponderosa set the glass in her hands before waiting patiently for Iredys’ request.

‘Regardless of what happens, will you continue to treat me as a sister and friend?’

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Her brow furrowed. ‘Why wouldn’t I?’

“Is something the matter?” Prince Kelton asked.

Ponderosa turned to him and shook her head. She rubbed Iredys arm then stepped away to tidy the cot.

“Are you sure?” he asked Ponderosa, motioning to Iredys.

Ponderosa watched Iredys swallow the next little bit of meal then nodded.

“Then why the furrowed brow?”

Ponderosa approached her writing kit and wrote, ‘We were having a private conversation, My Lord.’

“Private conversation?”

She nodded without further explanation as she turned to shake the jars she had not yet.

“Will you explain how since you don’t speak and Iredys hasn’t said a single word since I came in?”

‘All in good time, Prince Kelton,’ Iredys said.

He turned toward Iredys once more. “Iredys?”

She didn’t respond and continued to drink her meal.

Prince Kelton approached her. He lifted her chin gently, but she kept her eyes closed. “Look at me?” he requested.

Iredys slowly opened her eyes revealing her cloudy white orbs to Prince Kelton. He released her chin and took several steps back. She lowered her gaze and resumed drinking the meal.

“…H…How… How long?” Prince Kelton asked, his voice tight.

‘Shortly after our night together in Palion City,’ she replied, as she finished the last of the meal.

Ponderosa turned from her task in time to see Prince Kelton’s eyes widen further. “You… You spoke while….”

Iredys nodded.

She stood as Prince Kelton’s knees turned weak. His eyes remained on her as the chair she had been sitting on spun around them to rest behind him. Prince Kelton’s knees gave out. He sat hard on the chair. Surprise crossed his face as Iredys walked over to the sink and washed her cup without help. She then helped Ponderosa strain the jars of soaking herbs into smaller jars, squeezing the cheesecloth to get as much liquid out of the herbs as possible. Ponderosa glanced behind them when she heard Prince Kelton shift. He had turned to the side, his fisted hands pressed against his forehead.

‘This is not the reaction I thought he would have once he came to learn about your magic,’ Ponderosa said.

‘He’s been hit with a lot all at once,’ Iredys replied. ‘He just needs a moment.’

Ponderosa nodded. She glanced back again when Prince Kelton rose to his feet and turned to face the chair. “Did she…?” he muttered to himself.

‘Indeed I did, Prince Kelton,’ Iredys said, turning to face him.

He turned conflicted eyes toward her. “Did all of this come about while you were being held captive?”

Iredys subconsciously set her hands on her expanding abdomen. ‘Among other things.’

His eyes dropped to her belly. “Among…. There’s more!?”

Iredys closed her eyes as she nodded.

Prince Kelton opened his mouth a few times just to close it again.

‘I know this is a lot to take in, and that you have questions. However, now is not the time to answer them. Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn are in need of a drink or two to help them warm up.’

“Warm up?” he asked, confused.

Iredys lips twitched a little. ‘They’ve been waiting outside for you since you pushed Sir Droyn out of the cottage. They’ve refused to leave despite your orders.’

He gave her a strange look then walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn shivering a little as they stood close to the door. “I told you two to….” Shaking his head, he turned back to Iredys. “I’ll be back.”

She nodded. ‘Ponderosa and I will be here,’ she said.

Prince Kelton closed the door and left with his knights.

‘How soon will he be back?’ Ponderosa asked.

‘Tonight at the earliest,’ Iredys replied before turning to help her empty the rest of the larger jars.

‘Is that when it will finally dawn on him that the child in your womb is his?’ she wondered.

She gave her a small, but sad, smile. ‘No. Not until he’s come to term with the fact that he found me pregnant and in possession of magic.’

Ponderosa embraced Iredys. ‘I am glad the child belongs to Prince Kelton and not our tormentor.’

‘As am I. …Had it been anyone else’s, I would not have called for your aid. The risk would have been too great.’

‘You have such a good heart, My Lady,’ Ponderosa smiled.

‘Iredys, Ponderosa,’ Iredys chuckled as she corrected her.

Ponderosa chuckled too then let go so she could grab the lighter cloak since the townspeople tended to start coming about now to ask their questions.