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Damn it. She had thought something was wrong only weeks before. But now, she was sure of it. She felt them kicking, and my god had her belly grown. She wasn't fat anywhere else, but her belly huge and she was having a hard time even standing due to the weight. She was terrified of what this meant. Absolutely terrified. It had been a while since Hinoko had come to see her. She didn't much mind, but she found that over time he was no longer forcing himself on her. That was why she was in this problem, after a while, she had willingly allowed his vices.

She stared at her paws, feeling her tummy roll. It was a weird feeling, and if she knew what aliens were she might think it a situation like that.

And Gods.. Was she ever hungry!

He wasn't sure what drove him to her den after being away for so long. It might've been the way his children had been growing like weeds, and so he had more free time to do as he wished. It might've been the way that Mel kept herself busy with their daughter Cani, leaving him more free time, as well. It might've been the fact that Mel was harassing him for more cubs, and quite frankly, he wasn't interested.

It might've been the simple fact that when he was around Jez, he felt better about life in general.

No matter the reason, he cleared his throat just outside her den before walking in.

"Jez?"

When she heard his voice, her heart sank. She had not been expecting his presence and she was rather happy with her solitude. But now, now it was obvious about what she was, and she was terrified. Would Hinoko hurt her out of fear of Melinoe? She wanted to think not, but she didn't know.

She didn't sit up, hoping to keep herself slightly covered by shadows. She looked at him, and held back her gulp.

"Hinoko. It's been awhile." Her voice held the purr she was always used to using. She was trying to keep it together, without blurting it out.

That purr sent chills down his spine. Delicious, delicious chills. He hadn't come here to slake his lusts on her. He'd come to spend some time with her, time away from his own den. His own responsibilities. There was a small piece of him that had to wonder if he loved her. Things had gotten complicated so fast, and it was his own stupidity that had gotten him to this point.

Clenching his jaw, Hino watched her with an odd expression on his face. He felt tired. He just wanted to relax.

Seeing her made him feel settled. Comfortable.

"I'm sorry for that, Jez. You know how things are."

He was henpecked, slapped down. Not the lion he'd been when he'd taken her as his thrall.

She softened, knowing what type of lioness her sister was. She didn't blame the poor guy. Though she didn''t tell him that. She didn't want him to think she pitied him. His tone was apologetic, and she took him for his word. He hadn't lied to her thus far.

"Yes. I do." She said, looking at her paws. She couldn't meet his gaze. Her heartbeat wild in her chest. What would Melinoe do to her once shef ound out? Oh God. She couldn't fight. And Melinoe would hurt her..

"How have you been?" She asked, and still refrained from standing. It was odd for her, and she was unsure if he'd notice. But standing up was not an option at the moment.

"I've missed the company." She said, before she had thought about it. Then she regretted it. Nothing she could do now, and she tried to just breathe. Breathing was hard though when you had little bodies pushed against every part of your abdomen.

She still hadn't risen to her feet, and Hinoko grunted before moving into the den a bit more. He narrowed his eyes. She would usually greet him with a soft nuzzle before they moved into the den together, and she hadn't lifted to her feet to do so. It struck him, then.

"Are you hurt?"

The thought sickened him.

"Jez? Has something happened? Are you hurt, Jez?"

Hino sounded almost frantic at the thought. Had Melinoe come, done something to her when he hadn't been around to protect her? The very thought enraged him. He bared his teeth at the dusty violet lioness, bristling.

She shook her head, a small smile on her features. It didn't look like one, but it was definitely a nervous smile. She trusted him, even as a thrall. He had taken good care of her, he had been loving with her, and sometimes she wondered if it truly was just his desire to get away from Mel.

"No, Hinoko." She said, voice soft. "I'm not hurt. Well.. Not yet, anyway." Oh god, birth would hurt wouldn't it? She'd never experienced birth before. She was finding herself paranoid. Is that what came with pregnancy?

"But I do have something to tell you." She said, gulping. She reluctantly placed her paws underneath her, and pushed herself off the ground.

His eyes darted to her stomach.

It was huge.

He felt a surge of instant, terrifying panic. What could he say? They both knew how Melinoe would react. It wouldn't be pretty. Not at all. He felt like he might pass out, but he couldn't. Hinoko forced himself to stay alert, coherent.

"Does your sister know?" He thought it unlikely, but he had to know. There was no question in his mind that they were his cubs, and he wouldn't disrespect her by asking. "I won't let her hurt you."

He stepped forward, eyes locked on her belly. He hadn't felt proud to be a father to Mel's cubs. They were good kids, he loved them, but... this. This was different. As he drew close, he reached forward to nuzzle her taut belly with his nose.

"My children. You're having my cubs."

She saw the fear in his face. It liked like he had paled though she couldn't be sure. She looked at him, her eyes connecting with his once he asked the question. She shook her head. Thank the spirits she hadn't found out yet. Otherwise Hinoko would have been coming in to her own innards spread all around in true Melinoe fashion.

"How can you stop her?" She asked, arching an eyebrow though her eyes were worried. If he could truly keep her safe, she wanted that protection.

He stepped forward, and she felt no instinct to run. She didn't think he was going to hurt her. He had.. a different look in his eyes, and they were aimed at her belly. He reached down and nuzzled her, and she smiled softly. That was what she had hoped for. She was sure she'd be a great mother. Though she would have to protect them from Mel.. But that was okay, once she wasn't pregnant the fighting would be fair if it came to that.

"And by the feel of them, they are lively." She said lightly, and followed it with a laugh. "They will need a lot of protecting."

"I .. I don't know."

He fell silent for a long time, taking the time to rest his cheek against her belly. He could feel them jostle, feel his children move beneath the curve of her belly. Melinoe had never let him do this. She'd never let him touch her stomach while she was fat with his cubs.

This was new. This was a wondrous thing.

As if everything perfectly clicked into place, Hinoko lifted his eyes to meet hers.

"I will claim them. I release you from your position as Thrall."

It seemed the right thing to do.

"If you wish.. if you would do me the honor, then - I would take you as my saltwife."

His words were genuine, and she relaxed. She trusted him to keep her safe. Regardless of what happened, she trusted him. She didn't like being incapable of protecting herself. But she had no choice. She wished no ill will towards her babies. In fact she had grown rather amarous of the thought of them.

His eyes met hers, and she found herself unable to look away. He had such pretty eyes. They were scared, and unsure, but they were lovely.
Then he spoke and her eyes widened slightly. He was.. releasing her?

"I..I" She wasn't sure what to say. She had never expected him to release her. Ever. She was his escape, what would he do without her? And then he spoke again and she found herself yet again caught off guard. What a man of surprises he could be.

"Your saltwife?" She cocked her head and wondered what that title meant, exactly. Did he want to be with her? Or was that a classy title of shame. She was unsure.

"I haven't tried spending time to talk to any of the other thralls. You know I keep to myself... So tell me.. What does a saltwife do?" She asked. She tried to not look hopeful. She hoped it meant he wanted to keep her because he liked her.

"It means that.. as my älskarinna, as they call them, my saltwife - you will be Freeborn. My cubs - our cubs - will be Freeborn." Hinoko cleared his throat, looking unsure for a moment. He knew that what he was doing might mean that he could lose her if she declined his offer of becoming his saltwife - but it was a chance he was willing to take.

More than anything, he wanted his cubs to be raised proper Freeborn, and he realized with sudden clarity that he wanted Jez to be happy, too.

"If you do not want to become my saltwife, I understand, Jez, and.. I still give you your freedom. I still claim these," he nuzzled her belly again, delighting in their activity, "cubs as my own."

When he said that she would be a freeborn. Free to be who she wanted to be, without having to cater to anyone's whims. And her children were going to be free too. Oh that made her smile. She hadn't wanted a life of servitude for her offspring. They'd be far too great for that!

She found the words hard to say, her tongue was failing her and she was frustrated about it. But her frustrations were little in comparison to what was going on. She smiled again, and purred as he nuzzled her belly again. Delighting in his gentle touch.

"It looks like you have a saltwife." She said, flicking her tail at him, her tail tuft tickling his nose. She was free.. Her cubs were free.. And she felt that small pride of still getting to keep Hinoko. She was unsure of what Melinoe would think about that, and for the first time she truly didn't care.

His heart swelled. For this moment, he did not worry about what Melinoe would say. He would handle her. He would stand up to her. For himself, for Jez, for their cubs. She could not hurt them as Freeborn, not without worrying about the repercussions. In that way, he had secured their livelihood.

Hinoko let out a low, rumbling purr. The next few days would be busy - Jez would need a larger den, more pelts, anything she wanted. A proper home for their little family. He would be the most attentive husband, the most attentive father. This time around, he was going to do everything right.