ith's

ammered against my ribs while my nig

s asking from t across the ro

oice still shaking. "The light

They put the essence into th

but my gut told me otherwise. I could still hear S

bed, "The Head Maid has been looking for

reaching for my clothes,

grabbed her own dress off the hook by t

and together we went

tension since the ceremony?" Fe

e noticed...It

mor," she went on, lowering her voice even more. "One of the mai

I should try to keep my

t everyone

with the smell of bread. At the front was the Head Maid, her hands clasped, her expression more serious than ever. "Listen carefully. The palace has to b

the kitchen but the sudden men

be decorated with fresh flowers – you will have t

slightly and repl

twisting vines through the iron railings, from one corridor to another, working

o come to a halt and press my p

rvant asked,

smile. "Just didn't have

continued walking and tell

did

I had to see out of the corners of my eyes several times and my

well.' as she frowned while passing me in the

d to stop, and I didn't. I knew if the Luna heard I'd left my duties, particularly af

all step stool that was set before the tall display near the entrance. I s

oom t

s fell fro

, but my hand couldn't

l my descent, ever

nce more, I was not

s an acrid odor of herbs and medicine in the air. Slowly, I

e Head Maid was sitting in a chair by the bed, and her face

My voice was ho

d simply. "In the reception r

der man walked in carrying a pile of papers. I knew him to

the small table next to the b

ittle dizzy. But otherwis

nd your colleagues brought you here straight a

I asked, my heart alrea

looked up, his face taking on a slightly placati

m in amazement

"You're p

rd, but my brain would not cooperate, it refused to m

gnant? As in carrying a

was "quit

" and then my voice got loud, like a panicky voice. "Jus

ne encounter is enough for conception.

mach, trying to compreh

baby look healthy." He put down his pen and stared at me. "From now on, you will have to be careful, you must not c

etly, "I u

n an orderly pile. "I'll have to iss

"Please. Is there any way you could

law, Vaelith, no matter the circumstances, because any pregn

new that I could do n

breeders' quarters, and as I walked back to them I tried to think o

a seat on the edge of my bed th

d before I c

d, her face expressionles

at you present yours