Aunt Eve let out a delighted giggle.
"He doesn't strike me as the easy-going type," she teased, eyes twinkling. "I'm very glad he loves you. So... should we expect an heir soon?"
Ren nearly choked on her tea.
Why in the gods' names was everyone obsessed with this?
She was barely keeping herself from unraveling over the dangers Kaisun faced, the looming battles, the cursed realm, the immortal weapon, and here they were, speaking of children.
Her mind spun with heavier worries than anyone around her seemed to grasp.
"Aunt Eve, let us worry about something else."
~*~
That evening, Ren sat alone in their chambers, waiting for her husband's return.
She had dismissed both Gloria and Arkilla earlier, but, as always, Arkilla lingered near the door.
Now that the blood bond had been severed, there was no way Arkilla would grow lax, not in this treacherous palace, not with Ren left vulnerable.
A knock at the door broke her concentration. She lowered the book in her hands.
