“Well, Your Majesty…It seems the Queen is pregnant.”
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
I froze. My heart stopped for a full second, then started racing so fast I felt dizzy. Pregnant? Me? Now?
Nicholas went completely still beside me. His hand found mine and squeezed tightly. I looked up at him, searching his face. His eyes were wide with shock, but slowly, something beautiful filled them—pure joy, awe, and fierce protectiveness all at once.
“Pregnant…” I whispered, my voice barely audible. My free hand moved instinctively to my stomach. A baby. Our baby. In the middle of all this danger—the water people, Liora, attacks, threats everywhere.
Tears filled my eyes. I didn’t know if they were from happiness, fear, or the wild mix of both.
Nicholas dropped to his knees in fron
