Saanvi was right to be worried - two months after the wedding, Scarlett and Ihenri announced they were pregnant with their first child. Arjun, who'd seemingly been on his best behaviour, suddenly reverted back to how he'd been before the wedding, and Scarlett soon found herself back under the microscope. Her protests were cut off with curt orders for her to behave herself, lest she lose all chance of seeing the child after he or she was born. Saanvi, horrified, knew better than to challenge her husband - perhaps the council was trying to keep a tab on him, and he was going back to his old ways so as to throw off suspicion. Either way, the household had grown tense again, and Saanvi prayed that, when her grandchild was born, Arjun would do as he had promised and step up in defence of his daughter if the council tried anything. But as the months went on, Saanvi had the horrible feeling that she was seeing the real Arjun again, and she didn't like it at all.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosvxwfF5UZ
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Scarlett tried her best not to let her father get under her skin; but as her pregnancy advanced, he became more and more unbearable, and the only times she could truly be alone was when she was swimming. There, at least, he couldn't come after her and ask her a million questions, and when she was in the water, she felt protected, almost as if the water was standing as a barrier between her and her father. She felt it even more so when she was completely submerged, and Ihenri explained it to her. "Water elf magic always trumps sun elf magic," he told her, as they relaxed in the pool. It was a warm summer's day, and the water was immensely refreshing. "When anyone of sun elf stock is in the water, it cancels their powers and gives them the itches; you're of that stock yourself, but it's not as potent with you."
"I like being in the water," Scarlett admitted, eyes half closed as she relaxed against her husband, smiling as his hands gently caressed her belly under the water. "I don't have to worry about Father, and what's going to happen to my baby when he or she is born. And Father never comes near the pool when I'm there, although he still likes to glare at me from the sun room. But even that doesn't bother me too much."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDoHJ5zooX
Ihenri tightened his grasp, pulling her body flush against his. "That's because he knows you're getting an escape from him in the one way he can't get to you," he said. "That's why he's twice as unbearable whenever you come out of the water, I've noticed."
Scarlett nodded. "He always lectures me about putting my baby in danger, especially when I go under the water." She snorted. "My baby happens to like it when I'm in the water, and I know not to go under for too long, because Mother told me that I shouldn't hold my breath for long stretches of time. Father doesn't seem to think I've got the good sense not to put my baby in danger, and I swear, when he or she is born, I'm going to let him have it with both barrels!"
"That's the spirit," Ihenri said, kissing her neck as his hands grew bolder under the water's surface. "I sound like a lech, but I cannot wait for this baby to be born so I can get to work adoring you again."
"Oh, be as lecherous as you want," Scarlett said, grinning. "I'm about ready for baby to come so I can do some adoring of my own."
"Then I think you and I are of the same mind," Ihenri guessed, grinning in his own turn. "Well, let us pray for a swift end so we can partake in some much-needed mutual adoration."
"Good idea," Scarlett said, before turning in his arms and kissing him, letting his hands and his lips take some of her ever-present stress away.
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Arjun scowled as he watched his daughter and son-in-law engage in a passionate embrace. To make matters worse, they were in the water, where he couldn't touch them,and he growled in frustration. Having broken the queen's curse, he could dream up as many plans for revenge as he wanted, and the very first head to roll would be the man who dared to put his hands and lips on his daughter!99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ56TmgSB7
No matter, Arjun told himself, turning away so he wouldn't be forced to watch the sickening display. Just as soon as her child is born, I'll cut the bastard's head off and give it to her as a gift. Then I'll see her married to a man who will use her as she's meant to be used, until she can no longer bear children! Then I'll see her throat slit and her body dumped in the river, and her children will never know she existed, let alone her name!99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPDBT9yZS3
But first, he had to arrange the hosptial stay, and his lips curved in a cruel smile as he went into his study. He already knew the perfect place, and the staff would be as uncompromising to Scarlett as they'd been to her mother more than sixteen years ago, and Arjun found himself relishing the prospect of seeing his daughter squirm. She deserved it after defying him for so long!
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