Rohannes inclined his head. “I was.”
A faint smile touched the king’s lips. “And you heard nothing, I assume.”
“Nothing worth reporting.”
Val-Theris’s expression softened. Something between amusement and gratitude flickering behind his eyes.
“You’ve kept my secrets, even the ones you shouldn’t have.”
Rohannes didn’t look away. “Some secrets are worth keeping, Majesty.”
The king studied him for a long moment. Then, in a rare gesture, he stepped closer and laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve given me many things in your service,” he said quietly. “But last night, you gave me peace. That is no small gift.”
Rohannes’s throat tightened, though he kept his composure. “Every man deserves one night where the world can’t find him.”
Val-Theris nodded once, his eyes distant now, thoughtful. “Then I hope the world forgives me for wanting another.” He turned to leave, the sunlight spilling over him as he crossed the courtyard.
Rohannes smiled to himself, shaking his head. “Foolish, impossible man,” he murmured.
Val-Theris turned to throw a smile over his shoulder, but continued onward into the future he had so delicately carved for himself.
TWENTY-FIVE
Jesenia satnear the window of her chamber, the moonlight washing out her face as her hands folded low against her stomach. She had suspected for days—the weariness, the restless sleep, the faint morning sickness.
It should have been expected, the way they lost themselves in each other so often. But the only time they had discussed such things, Val-Theris was not even sure it was possible.
Tonight, after her missed blood, there was no more doubting.
When he entered the room, his steps softened at the sight of her stillness. His wings folded low as he crossed the chamber, kneeling before her where she sat.
“What troubles you?” he asked, his blue eyes searching hers.
She swallowed, then guided his hand to rest against her belly. “I think…” Her voice caught, tears welling in her tender eyes. “Val-Theris, I think we are no longer just two.”
For a moment, he said nothing. His hand trembled against her, his eyes wide, his lips parting as if the air had fled him. For an instant, he forgot to breathe. His gaze lowered to her hand where it rested, then back to her face, her mouth trembling faintly as she waited.
“Jesenia,” he whispered, his voice breaking on her name. “Are you sure?” As he asked the question, she began to sob, hiding her face in her hands. “My love,” he said, unfolding her from herself, tenderly asking: “Why are you crying? This is wonderful news.”
“They will hate this child before it even draws breath,” she said through tears and heavy breaths. “This world will never be safe for them.”
“That’s not true,” he whispered, pressing another kiss to her stomach. “I will reshape the earth to keep them safe. I swear it on all that is divine.”
“I’m scared,” she said, her mouth turning downward with sorrow. “I’m scared of the world we are giving them.”
He threaded his fingers through hers, grounding her in the silent ways she had always grounded him as she threatened to spiral further into that fear. “Then I will change the world for you both if that’s what it takes.”
She brushed her trembling thumb across his cheek. “Are you…happy?”
He let out a sharp, unsteady breath—and then he bent, pressing his forehead to her stomach, his hair falling like a silky curtain around them both.
“Happy?” His voice cracked, shaking with something deeper. “I am undone. Jesenia, I am…I didn’t even know such a thing was possible. It is a miracle. You are magnificent. You have given me more than I ever dreamed to ask. You have given me forever. That you would give your body, your strength, your heart, to carry something of mine…” He hesitated. “I do not deserve it.”
Her breath caught at the rawness in his tone, and she turned fully toward him, cupping his jaw with one hand, thumb brushing lightly along the sharp line of his cheekbone. “It isn’t about deserving,” she whispered. “It’s aboutus. About what we made together.”
Val-Theris lowered his forehead against hers, eyes closing briefly as though grounding himself in her steadiness, her warmth, the quiet conviction she carried when his faltered. Jesenia leaned against him, her head resting lightly against his shoulder, the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear before reality struck her once more. She lifted her head from his and her eyes grew wet with fear again.
“Your vision…”
