Read Lokai's Curse for Free Online Page B

simply ill.”
    “You are probably correct, Sire. I will go check on her if you have no need of me right now.”
    “I believe Diedre has more need of you than I do. Go…spend some time with my daughter.” He waved his hand in dismissal as Lokai dissipated into the air.
    ***
    He stood over the bed as she slept. She had been crying again. He saw traces of the path down her cheeks, eyes swollen and red…a soft hiccup a last remnant of her misery.
    He was such a fool to treat this treasure thusly when she has always been his heart’s desire. His heart wrenched as he realized that he did not deserve her. But he would rectify the wrong he had done in his treatment of his wife. Lokai’s jaw clenched as he resolved to make amends to her.
    He stretched out his hand, passing it slowly over Diedre’s stomach, listening intently. Nothing. He took a deep breath and closing his eyes, focused all his senses on his task as he performed a second sweep. Tha-thump…tha-thump. He jerked back his hand as he began to tremble. Pride and joy overwhelmed him. The heartbeat was faint…but it was there. A wide grin spread across his face as he realized he was a father.
    “What pleases you, Lokai?” Diedre asked in a sleepy voice.
    His gaze met hers slowly as he tried to think of an answer. He wanted her to have the pleasure of telling him of the child once she discovered it for herself. He reached out grasping her chin gently and kissed her soft lips.
    “You please me, Sprite.” Lokai frowned. “Why have you been weeping, Diedre? Are you unhappy as my bride?”
    Her azure eyes widened in alarm. “No, Lokai, it has naught to do with you…us. It is just that sometimes I miss the palace and father. It will pass in time.”
    He nodded. She was homesick. That he could understand. He considered his words carefully before he spoke again. He stroked her velvet cheek with a feathery touch. “I have a surprise for you this day.”
    “A surprise? What is it?” Her eyes lit up as she clapped her hands in joy. Her infectious smile causing him to return it in kind.
    “We go on a journey this day…if you wish it.”
    “Away from the isle? Truly?” She bounced from the bed in anticipation.
    Lokai nodded his assent. “I thought you might wish to see Seonaid’s children. We can observe them from the shadow realm.”
    Diedre’s eyes rounded as she took note of his words. “Bairns…as in more than one?”
    He grinned as he nodded in answer. “She birthed two sons and a daughter a sennight ago.”
    “Oh how wonderful! She must be thrilled. She has always desired bairns…even in her previous life.” She turned to her husband. “When may we go? Now?”
    “If you wish, Sprite.” He was pleased to see the sparkle return to her exotic eyes. It had been missing lately. He feared that her confinement was the cause. Seeing it return at the prospect of a journey confirmed it in his mind. Her banishment must end soon. He had no wish to break her spirit.
    Lokai opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace eagerly. Moments later, they stood in the Brodie nursery.
    They moved silently over to the cradles and gazed down at the three tiny cherubic faces sleeping soundly. Tears filled Diedre’s eyes as she reached out to stroke one downy cheek. She wanted to hold one of them but knew she could not unless she left the realm she was in.
    “Are they not perfect, Lokai? And they are so tiny! Seonaid and Garrick must be very happy.” She sighed as she thought about why she had not yet conceived. It was harder for the Fae to have children. Not impossible…but they were always slow to reproduce unless they consorted with mortals. “Such precious wee babes. Do you think we will have our own someday?”
    Lokai’s azure eyes softened as he watched the emotions dance across her face. He could sense the yearning in her soul. He hugged her to him. “Would you wish to have our babe, Sprite?” She bobbed her head as emotion closed up her throat. “Then I