Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Ash’s brows rose slightly, and a half-grin appeared.
I shook my head. “What about the nausea?”
“Mortals tend to see a lessening in that toward the end of the first trimester. Gods aren’t much different, though it tends to last a few weeks to a month longer.” He glanced at the bound pad of paper he’d pulled from the satchel earlier and laid on the bed. “From what I have read, it is roughly the same for Primals.”
“That is good news, then,” I said.
Kye nodded. “You can sit up now if you’d like.”
I sat up, crossing my legs at the ankles. Ash immediately sat behind me, looping an arm around my waist. I was irritated with how he was behaving, but I still leaned into him.
“From what I can tell, everything seems fine,” he said. “Your heart rate is normal for a Primal, as is your blood pressure.”
I still had no idea how he was able to figure out the pressure by pushing on my pulse and watching me closely, but I would have to take his word for that.
“Now, in terms of what to expect. I want to be upfront with both of you,” he began. “It has been over two centuries since a Primal has been with child, and unfortunately, any who may have cared for your mother, Nyktos, are no longer with us. What I know is from notes found while serving in Kithreia and from what I found in the city athenaeum. I believe there is more to be found at Mount Lotho. I would like to go there as soon as possible.”
“I…I’m not sure if that is wise right now,” I said and felt Ash gearing up to argue.
“I’m aware of what is going on and understand the risks,” Kye said. “Discovering what I can is worth it.”
“You may leave whenever you wish to do so,” Ash said, and my lips pursed. “We will make sure you are well guarded.”
I relaxed a little upon hearing that.
“Thank you.” Kye bowed his head at Ash.
“What can you tell us now?” he asked.
“From what I know, the first and second trimester of pregnancy for a Primal is not that much different than that of a god. It is different for a mortal, but that is neither here nor there,” he said, resting his elbows on his bent knees. “It is the third trimester when things tend to get…tricky.”
“What do you mean?” Ash stiffened behind me.
“As the babe—or in your case, babes—grow in size, they take more nutrition and blood from the mother, as well as eather. In fact, the essence will serve the needs of the babe first before the mother. That starts at conception but will become more so as the pregnancy progresses.”
Ash’s arm tightened around my waist. “Is that why her bruises still haven’t healed completely?”
The Healer nodded. “With you having two to care for, it will take much more from you, leaving you weakened and unable to recover as quickly as you normally would. That is the biggest threat as you enter the third trimester, and I cannot stress more the dangers involved in that time. You will become, in a way, as close to a mortal as you will ever be again. I recommend not using the essence for anything unless absolutely necessary. You will need every bit of it to ensure the babes are growing and healthy and to keep yourself well enough to bring them into this realm.”
I could feel Ash’s heart pounding faster against my back as I pressed my lips together.
“Injuries you would normally heal from could put you into stasis, where your body would not be getting enough of what it needs.” Kye took a deep breath. “You would lose the babes if that happened.”
A dark, ominous sound rumbled from Ash, and my heart lurched. I reached down and placed my hand on his where it was flattened against my lower stomach. “But this is not something to really worry about until the third trimester, right?”
“It is something to be aware of now,” he said carefully. “But again, it is more of a concern as the pregnancy progresses.”
Okay. That was…good news. Kind of. I moved on. “What about feeding?”
“As long as you are receiving nourishment through your own feedings and eating well, it is okay until you enter the third trimester.” He looked up at Ash. “At that point, I recommend finding a donor.”
Well, we already had one of those.
I wiggled a little, uncomfortable with that, but there was still a huge sense of relief. This meant I could still Ascend the gods I needed to.
“The stronger the better,” Kye continued. “Another Primal, if possible.”
Uh…
“Consider it done,” Ash stated, and I jerked my head back to look at him. He ignored my look. “What about taking on the nota form?” he asked. “She’s done that twice since we’ve conceived, but before we knew she was pregnant.”