“Sebastian and I were careless,” I continue, forcing the words out. “We didn’t think, and now I need to take it. To make sure that my womb doesn’t quicken with life.”
There is no judgment in Terra’s expression.
“We don’t use black bark here,” she says after a moment. “Shifterfae know from scent whether we are nearing or in our fertile cycle. Our body tells us.” She pauses, thinking. “I wasn’t paying close attention, but I don’t recall picking up fertility on you.” Her nose twitches as she takes a breath near me. “No, I don’t think you were fertile, and I don’t think you are nearing your fertile period either. But I am not certain enough to stake your future on it. You are a hybrid, so perhaps it is different with you.” She shrugs.
“I don’t want to take the risk either. I do not like the idea of raising a child alone. What should I do now? You said you don’t have any. It is important that I start taking it. The sooner the better.”
“We don’t have any here, but I know where a grove of black bark trees grows.”
I sigh in relief.
“I’ll have it for you by nightfall. The trees grow in the lower valleys. It won’t be difficult to find.”
“Thank you, Terra. I would be very grateful.”
She waves me off. “It’s nothing.”
“Please bring enough for me to drink the tea twice a day for a week.”
“I don’t envy you.” She wrinkles her nose.
“It isn’t so bad when taken with honey.”
“If you say so.” Then she crosses her arms and regards me with that look. “Have you made up your mind yet about staying? If you have more questions—”
Before she can say anymore, a ripple of murmurs sweeps through the hall.
We both turn.
The chatter drops to low whispers that spread from one end of the table to the other like wind through tall grass.
Sebastian has walked in.
He fills the entrance, his dark hair pushed back from his face. He is dressed in the borrowed clothing, the dark tunic pulled tight across his broad chest. His eyes scan the room.
Terra makes a sound beside me. Something between a laugh and a hum. “We’ll talk later,” she says.
I don’t respond. I can’t.
My eyes find his across the length of the hall. He is already looking at me. His jaw is set. His mouth is a hard line.
He walks toward me. The shifterfae part for him without being asked, stepping aside as he moves between them. A few of the females watch him pass with open curiosity. One of them sniffs the air and nudges the female beside her.
Another stands and makes a purring noise, which he ignores.
Sebastian stops in front of me. Close enough that I have to tip my head back to hold his gaze.
“Isla.”
“Sebastian.”
The space between us is charged. Neither of us moves.
“I need a quick word.” His voice is gruff.
“Does this mean you believe me?” I ask. There is no point in dancing around it. We are past that.
His expression doesn’t change. “Does it even matter?”
