I paced the hallway outside Kaelen's office, my nerves fraying with each minute that passed. The closed door might as well have been a brick wall—I couldn't hear anything happening inside. Was Finnian being demoted? Or worse?
My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, where little Rhys responded with a flutter of movement. "I know, baby," I whispered. "I'm worried too."
Finnian had become more than just a guard to me. He was a confidant, someone who had risked his position to help me discover the truth about myself. The guilt gnawed at me. If he lost his position because of me...
The door finally opened, and Finnian emerged. I held my breath, searching his face for signs of distress.
"Well?" I blurted out, unable to contain myself. "What happened?"
To my surprise, Finnian's expression wasn't one of devastation. He looked... contemplative.
"I still have my job, if that's what you're asking," he said, his voice measured.
Relief washed over me. "Thank the Goddess."
