Chapter 6

I get back to Aldric's chambers. He's still out cold.

I slip off my outer gown, slide in beside him, and stare at the ceiling.

I wonder what his face is going to look like when he finds out Seraphina's pregnant.

Because here's the thing — he's the one who had her poisoned. Years ago. Secretly. Made sure she could never conceive.

The Ashfords are too powerful. Too much military muscle. If Seraphina produced a male heir, her father could use that kid as a puppet — stage a coup, take the throne from the inside.

Does Aldric care about Seraphina? Sure. A little. Childhood sweethearts and all that.

But the crown comes first. Always.

He wakes up and stares at me for a long, dazed moment. That dreamy look — still swimming in last night's visions.

My Mindworm dreams are very good.

I flutter my eyes open under his gaze. Shy smile. Little stretch.

I'm reaching for his robe when Cedric's voice comes through the curtain.

"Your Majesty — the Queen's sent word. The healers confirmed it this morning. She's with child."

The smile dies on Aldric's face. Just — gone. Like someone blew out a candle.

"Has the news gotten out?"

"She's already sent a rider to Lord Commander Ashford."

I start to get up — give him space, play the considerate mistress — but he catches my hand.

"Stay. You're exhausted from last night. Rest here." His thumb traces circles on my wrist. "I'll find you somewhere better to live."

I thank him. Lie back down in his bed. Watch him walk out the door.

Seraphina's pregnant. The Ashfords are circling. Aldric's buried in politics.

Nobody's paying attention to the dancer with no last name.

Perfect.

Prince Kaelen of Valdris — that's my blade.

I don't just want a handful of deaths. You wiped out my entire species. I'm going to tear your kingdom apart from the inside.

I write a note, let Fang carry it in his mouth, and send him to find Kaelen.

Days pass. I move into nicer chambers. Things are quiet.

Then Seraphina's steward shows up at my door.

"The Queen's in terrible pain. She needs the Lady of the Moon. Immediately."

I run my fingers over Fang where he's coiled on my desk. Tuck him into my sleeve. Head to the Gilded Hall.

Inside, the incense is so thick it burns my eyes — but underneath it, I can smell the blood.

So. Aldric made his move.

Too bad. There's nothing real in her belly. He can poison her all he wants — all it does is make her hurt.

Nobody knows I saved her "pregnancy" that night. Aldric has no idea.

I stand over Seraphina's bed, watching her face crumple with pain, and pull out my silver needles with a calm, practiced hand.