Shea leveraged herself out of her seat. "Enough of this. They tell me pregnancy is supposed to be joyous and amazing, but at this point I would sell several of my favorite parts of Fallon’s body to be done with it."
Eva smothered her smile. "I'm not sure he’d appreciate that."
Shea's look was sharp. "Then perhaps next time he shouldn't get me into this situation."
"And you and Fallon will let me walk away from this?" Eva challenged.
"Neither one of us wants someone who would be bitter about their fate acting as our liaison to the Kyren. What they offer is a rare opportunity. If you can't recognize that, then you don't deserve it," Shea said with a significant look. "You're a herd mistress without a herd. They're offering to give you one."
And Eva would likely never have one here.
"You don't know this, because he's a dodgy old man, but Hardwick is training you as his replacement," Shea revealed after a few minutes.
Eva's forehead wrinkled. "No, that's for Ollie. He's his heir."
Shea shook her head. "From what I hear—and my sources are top notch—your friend has already refused. He doesn't have the temperament to stand up to fractious warriors. Hardwick has already offered to sponsor you into his clan."
Eva's breath felt like it was sucked out of her. It was a big deal. The equivalent of being adopted by Hardwick. Her crimes became his and vice versa.
Shea's lips twisted up, the smile barely touching her eyes. "It seems you're not as alone or outcast as you thought."
Eva didn't know what to think of this revelation. Her head was spinning as her world reordered itself.
"Why are you telling me this?" Eva finally asked.
If Shea had remained silent, she would have been forced to choose the Kyren, if only for the chance at her own herd. Shea's revelation basically guaranteed her a life here.
"Because you deserve to have all the facts before you make your decision," Shea said simply.
Eva didn't know if that made her kind or cruel. This choice wouldn't be an easy one.
There was a small sound of pain as the Battle Queen bent forward slightly.
"Shea? What's wrong?" Eva asked.
Trenton moved into the room at a quick clip as if he’d been listening at the door, his expression dark and deadly.
"Nothing," Shea said as she straightened. She shot her guard a disgruntled look that crumpled when another groan escaped her a few seconds later.
She grabbed Eva's arm in a punishing hold.
"Are you in labor?" Eva asked in surprise.
"No," Shea groaned.
"I think you are."
"I don't want to be."
"I'm pretty sure what you want, and what is are two different things," Eva said. "You're in labor. Accept it."
Shea growled at Eva, the look in her face unfriendly and petty considering the wisdom she'd spoken with earlier.
"I should have you drawn and quartered," Shea threatened.
"But you won't, because you're in labor," Eva chirped.
Trenton rolled his eyes at the two of them. "You were supposed to notify us as soon as you had your first contraction."
