Gossip group (Maya POV)

Maya smiles, looking at the others as she sits down. Anna, Lynn, and Yura all smile back, or nod, in Yura’s case. Maya can’t help but be amazed at how far they’ve come. In less than two years, she went from depressed and alone in the AWIO dorms, to living in a castle, with a big, loving family, pregnant from the love of her life. Who is also the emperor, potentially of the entire old world!

Looking at Anna, she smiles. Anna had become the closed thing she had to a sister. Without her, none of this happens. No Josh, no Elys, none of it. Despite being a submissive, devoted little maid, Anna was as much the catalyst for Josh as anyone.

Next to Anna is Lynn, the first rescue. The shy, nervous goblin has really blossomed with the family, and Maya can’t help but feel a little pride in helping the lovely woman discover herself.

Finally, Yura. Calmly sitting with her hands folded in her lap, her purple eyes tranquil, the selkie is the picture of composure. Despite her seemingly emotionless personality, Yura might be the most lovable person Maya knew. Something about the tiny brown woman made you just want to cuddle her!

Realizing that they were all staring at her, Maya smiles. “Sorry, I was just thinking about how we all got here. It’s a bit crazy, isn’t it?”

Anna laughs. “I knew this would be an adventure when you and master got together, but I didn’t realize it would be this much of one!”

Maya giggles. “Anyway, how are you all feeling? Still sick every morning?”

Anna shakes her head. “I was lucky, that went away quickly.”

Lynn groans. “Now I’m jealous. I can’t even stand the smell of food…”

Yura shrugs. “A little bit sick. Not bad.”

Maya grins. “It gets better, I promise. Anyway, that’s not why I got you three here. Well, it is, sort of. I guess I wanted to start up a little support group for our pregnancy. Especially if more girls decide to have babies as well, I thought it would be nice to have people to share experiences with.”

Anna smiles. “First, that’s a great idea. It’s nice to have someone to share our worries with. Second…you know there’s going to be more pregnancies.”

Lynn grins. “Kali wants it desperately, but she feels obligated to wait till after this campaign.”

Maya nods. She feels guilty herself, staying behind because of her baby. Placing her hand on the small bulge in her belly, she nods. “I can understand. I wish I could be there for this, it feels like abandoning him.”

Yura shakes her head. “You know better than that. He will do anything to protect us.”

Maya sighs. “But who’s going to protect him? How many times has he almost died?”

Anna nods. “Master does take risks. But Uzume will be with him this time. I doubt anyone could match her, not to mention Clarissa and Kali.”

Lynn looks at Anna. “That’s fine, but you can’t convince me that he’s going to let anyone but himself face the demon lord in the end.”

Quietly, Yura speaks. “It has to be him. There is no one else. Even Uzume would fall. Only Josh has a chance.”

Everyone looks at the little selkie. Maya shivers at the magic dancing in those purple eyes. Despite being the youngest member of the family, there are times that Yura seems a thousand years old.

Shaking off the chill, Maya sighs. “I guess we just have to trust that his luck holds. I don’t know what I’d do if we lost him.”

Anna nods. “We won’t. Master is strong, and the girls will protect him, even if they can’t fight for him.”