I stared at the screen as the doctor did the sonar but I couldn’t make sense of it. No wonder doctors needed degrees.

Silas stood beside me, his attention on the screen.

The doctor pushed the wand against my stomach and I held my breath. I wasn’t prepared for any of this. I had just survived an attack and the council wanting to punish me for it. Couldn’t I get a break.

I looked at Silas. Then I imagined a smaller version of him and it filled my heart with unrequited love.

“There it is,” the doctor murmured.

“There’s a baby?” Silas asked.

The doctor nodded. “Wait.”

Was there something wrong? I fisted my hands trying not to go into a full blown panic.

The doctor looked closer at the screen.

“What is it?” Silas asked, his voice had an edge of impatience.

“It’s not…possible.” The doctor looked up. He was shocked as he looked to Silas. “There are two.”

“What do you mean there are two?” Silas asked the question.

“Two?” I echoed.

“There are two babies.”

Two.

Silas and the doctor shared an alarmed look while I tried to take the news in that not only was I going to be a mother but there was two babies, not just one.

“That’s why the test didn’t work,” the doctor murmured. I wasn’t sure if he was talking to himself or Silas. “The test will only pick up enough pregnancy hormones for one child, anything higher than that will cause a negative result.”

“You said this was impossible,” I stated.

The doctor nodded. “There has never been a multi birth for a vampire or Sire. Ever.”

“Does it mean there is something wrong?” I asked. Maybe I was being a pessimist but after everything I had gone through I was sure no one could blame me.

“No.” The doctor looked at me with wonderment. “Everything looks fine. Their heartbeats are strong.”

“They.” It made it more real and I felt a wave of emotion.

“Are you able to tell us the sex of the babies?” Silas asked.

I was still trying to take in the surprise that I was pregnant with twins, I hadn’t even thought about whether they would be girls or boys or mix.

The doctor nodded. “Boys.”

I swallowed the emotion that clogged my throat. Sons. Two, not one.

While I stared at the picture of the two babies on the screen, Silas pulled the doctor off to one side and they spoke softly.

Then the reality of the situation began to sink in, turning my earlier euphoria to something else entirely. Surely multiple babies would increase the risks.

Did this mean I wouldn’t survive? I would never get to see or hold my sons? What if I couldn’t even carry them to full term?

Once I got cleaned up I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open.

I went back to my room while Silas walked the doctor out. I didn’t even care what they were talking about.

Once I got into bed I switched off the light and snuggled up to my pillow.

I was still awake a little later when my bedroom door opened slowly. There were soft footsteps up to my bed.

I looked up to see Silas standing beside my bed. I sat up, pulling the cover up. He sat on the bed beside me.

“How are you feeling?”

It was dark but I could still make out his features. “I’m scared Silas.”

His hand touched mine.

I let out a shaky breath. “What if I don’t survive? What if I can’t carry them to full term?”

“You’re young and healthy Avery. The odds are already in your favor. There are other things we can do to make your stronger. I will do everything in my power to ensure your survival and the survival of our children.”

I wanted to allow my heart to flourish with his words but I held back. Of course he would do everything for his children, they just happened to be mine as well. He cared about the babies, not for me. I had to remember that.

“And what happens if I survive? What happens then? Will I get to be with them?”

I was a slave, with no rights. I didn’t know if I would survive if they separated me from my children.

“You will stay with us Avery.” He spoke like there was only going to be one outcome and it was reassuring. He wasn’t even considering the possibility something would happen to the babies or me.

Us. Him and our children. It was still mind blowing and I wasn’t sure less than a month would be enough to get used to the idea.

His words comforted me in a way I couldn’t explain. Silas didn’t just say things to appease, when he said them he meant them. I let out a heavy breath filled with the bubbling emotion that had been building up inside me.

“You need to keep calm Avery. I know this is a lot to deal with but I will do everything within my power to ensure you get the best care.”

I nodded.

“You must not tell anyone about the babies. You will remain at the house until the they are born.”

“What’s with all the secrecy? Do I need to be afraid?”

He shook his head. “I’m taking precautions. You’ve made some enemies and the less anyone else knows the better.”

I wished the whole Thane thing just wouldn’t go away. Even enclosed in a coffin suffering, he was still able to affect my life.

“His family are furious. It’s why I sent you here instead of the apartment. I can protect you better here.”

It made sense.

“I spoke to the doctor. He has suggested some unconventional methods to strengthen you.”

“I’ll do anything.” And I meant it.

“He suggested I share my blood with you.”

To me, that was more intimate than sex.

“I drink your blood?” I asked, slightly confused.

He nodded. “For the rest of your pregnancy you will only drink my blood.”

It made logical sense. Vampires were stronger than Sires, his blood could make me strong enough. At this point I would walk on hot coals if it would help.

“Like I said. I’ll do anything Silas.”

He nodded. “It’s best to drink from the neck.”

He leaned closer and exposed his neck to me. I inhaled him before my teeth extended. Slowly, I sank my teeth into his neck and his blood flowed, gushing as I drank. My hand held his neck as I consumed his life source.

His hand settled on my back and I moved closer, straddling him to get comfortable while I fed from him. His arms wrapped around me keeping me fixed against him. I found my hands threading through his hair.

The whole process of feeding off him. I wanted him more than ever before. My hips moved against his. My hands moved from his hair to fist his shirt.

I stopped, pulling slightly away. Our eyes met. Glancing at his lips before making eye contact again. He wanted me. I could see it in his shimmering eyes.

I had no idea if I would survive any of what lay ahead of me, I wanted to live every moment like it could be my last.

Slowly, I brushed my bloodied lips against his. His arms tightened around me as he kissed me back.

I broke the kiss.

“I need you,” I whispered.

We moved and I was flat on my back, Silas above me. Our mouths fused as he shoved my night shirt up above my waist and pulled my panties off.

He freed himself before pressed it against me. Legs spread I panted. I want him so badly.

I gasped as he filled me in one thrust. I arched as he set a swift tempo. Fisting the sheets I closed my eyes, giving myself over to the sensation building up inside me.

I had never been so up front before or felt so sexually alive. Everything in me, wanted him.

He captured my mouth with his and I held onto him as he moved faster increasing the tempo.

“Silas,” I murmured against his lips. I was so close.

“You are mine,” he whispered to me.

He could have told me anything in that moment. I didn’t care. All the mattered was the orgasm that pulsed through me. He shuddered into me and I held him.

The only sound was our heavy breathing and the beating of my heart that loved him just a little more.