"You're being ridiculous! I should be with you!" I planted my hands on my hips, glaring up at Kaelen as he stuffed tactical gear into a duffel bag. My belly, now prominently rounded at seven months, pressed against my shirt as I stepped closer to him.
Kaelen didn't even look up. "We've been through this, Sera. The refugee camps at the war front are no place for you right now."
I huffed in frustration. "I'm pregnant, not helpless. These are our people suffering! Don't you think seeing their Luna might give them hope?"
"What would give them hope is knowing their Luna and future prince are safe," he countered, finally meeting my eyes. His expression softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "Besides, this is good practice."
"Practice for what?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"For when you leave for the Mystral Islands to find Queen Lyra," he said, his voice gentler now. "We'll be apart then too."
