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“You mean while I was drugged,” I rasp. How could I forget?

“I gave you the sedatives because I love you, Eden. The healer said each step on your ankle would’ve risked long-term damage. I want you to be able to play with our children, teach them how to dance!”

“You’re psychotic,” I scream.

“I prefer the term devoted, little butterfly.”

“This is insane.” Taking Meera’s hand, I pull her closer to the fire. “Leave us now.” I sit as she hesitantly shuffles down beside me. “Once the snowstorm has passed and we are warmer, Meera and I will travel back to my palace. You will not follow us.”

In the corner of my vision, I see Castor tilt his head. “Your confidence is beautiful, my darling, but you’re a fool if you think we’ll leave you with an assassin in the woods.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, she’s my friend!”

“Friend or not, we are not leaving you alone here.” Lux steps through the trees to lead a pair of horses towards us. “You will come home with us now or we will carry you.”

“Touch me and I will never forgive you.” I glare at him.

The soft way he looks at me makes my chest ache. “Eden, I love you.” He draws closer, crouching down to my level. “And what I’m about to say may be quite hard for you to hear right now.”

Castor shoots him a warning look, but Lux ignores it, keeping his gaze fixed on me.

“What is it?” Nerves creep into my tone. “What would be hard for me to hear?”

Glancing down, he sighs. “These woods are a dangerous place at the best of times. And in the snow, even more so.” Before I can stop him, he takes my hand, squeezing it gently. “But for someone in your condition, being out here could be a death sentence for both of you. I cannot let you ride to your father’s palace tonight. Even if I wanted you to.”

My throat feels dry. “What do you mean ‘my condition’?” Beside me, Meera muffles her gasp.

“Eden,” Lux breathes. “You’re going to be a mother.”

Confused, my nose wrinkles. “Some day. Yes. If the Stars bless me,” I reply. I do want children. “With my husband, of course,” I add curtly.

“Of course.” Lux’s thumb brushes my hand. “We will be married long before our baby is here.”

I stare at him blankly before Castor scoffs. Rolling his eyes, he utters the last three words I expected to hear. “You’re pregnant, Eden.”

38

EDEN

“No I’m not.” I shake my head. “I can’t be. It’s not possible.”

Lux chuckles. “I agree it happened sooner than I expected, but you definitely are. I can sense it.”

“Well your ‘senses’ are wrong.” I hug my chest. “We’re not married. Everyone knows you can’t have a baby with anyone but your husband.”

Silence falls over us, broken only by the fluttering snowflakes.

“And who told you that?” Castor finally asks.

“My sisters. Father gave Amaryllis and Blossom the talk a few years ago.”

“Sounds like you all need to have ‘the talk’ again,” Meera mutters beside me as my face turns as white as the snow.

Lux takes my hand gently. “Eden, I assure you, you are pregnant and that we will be married long before our baby is born.”

“Our baby?” I echo, glancing down. Part of me doesn’t want to believe it. He’s lied so much already. This has to be another trick. Then again, I have felt strange this past week. Tired. A little queasy at times.

I shake my head, yanking my hand away from his. “I don’t care what you say. I’m still going home.”