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