edge of the mattress. The doctor's w
to her own ears. She looked down at her stomach. "T
esty. You are ten weeks pregnant. The sickness and dizziness
he bed. "Are you sure? Is the
ything points to ten weeks. I want to do a pro
he door. "Does a
ave to tell the Ki
ooking up. "Give me an
or a moment, then gave a quick nod.
her hand flat against her stomach. Nothing felt different. There was no
s. And worse, the baby belonged to William. Just hearing his name made her shoulders tense up. She didn't
ow breath to s
s later, the d
't knock. He closed the door behind him and stopped near
id. His voice was flat, totally unr
look up at
n we
s what
is eyes sliding down to her hand resting
f an
. No more leaving the castle. No trips to the market without guards. The nutritionis
look him in the eye. "You're alr
nd how that specific excha
ing a step toward her. "This isn't just about you anymore.
bedpost to keep her balance. "I'm the one
e Queen. That baby is part of the
quiet but firm. "I went outside this morning because I
xt ruler. Breathing can
ng pregnant doesn't give y
?" William asked, his voice low. "I'm p
t a harsh laugh. "Listen to yourself. I'm
ld you're holding is the future of this country. That matters more than what you wa
ches me," she snapped. "You don
ll, if it keeps both of you alive. You proved this mo
ence fell ov
. "So that's it? I get pregnant
property. You
e feels
see the doctor first thing tomorrow. Afte
out waiting f
ing out a little. William had always tried to
anor walked in, her movements slow and deliberate. She
said softly. "The
didn't trust herself to
the window and smoothed her dress
ike everybody th
ace. A baby changes everything. People who ignored you
at her. "Inc
ifferent since you woke up from your fall, Khelani. The way you talk, t
p, but she kept her face blank.
ir puts a target on your back. The court will talk. The council will watc
eady watc
door. "Rest. Eat when they bring food. And don't give Wil
closing the door
rough the window, the gardens looked the same as they
t time. She hadn't even figured out how to survive in t
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