Mera bolted upright in bed, clutching her stomach. A wave of nausea hit her so hard that the room spun. She forced herself to breathe, but the air felt too thick, too hot. She stumbled to the window, throwing it open. A sharp breeze swept in, cooling her clammy skin, but it did little to ease the twisting ache in her belly.
Her mind raced. This was not ordinary sickness. The sensation was deeper, more insistent. She braced herself against the window frame, the cold stone grounding her as she fought the urge to panic. Something was wrong—or different. She hadn't felt like this before.
The door creaked open, and Elira, her maid, stepped in with a tray of breakfast. "My queen, are you all right?" Elira's voice was soft, but her eyes held concern as she set the tray on the table.
Mera shook her head, pressing a hand to her temple. "Just... tired." Her words felt thin, as though they didn't belong to her.
Elira studied her for a moment, then reached for the glass of water on the tray. "You look pale."
"I'm fine," Mera whispered, though she didn't believe it herself. She forced a tight smile, but as Elira left the room, the uneasy thought took root: something was different. Something was growing inside her.
The ancient corridors felt colder as meramade her way to the healer's chambers. She kept her steps light, careful to avoid the patrolling guards. Her heart pounded harder with each turn, fear sharpening her senses.
The heavy scent of herbs greeted her when she entered Elowen's small chamber. The healer looked up from her work, her wrinkled hands still grinding dried leaves in a bowl. "Mera," Elowen greeted calmly. "You've come for answers."
merasat on the low cot, rubbing her hands together. "Something is wrong," she admitted, voice shaky.
"I need to know what's happening to me." Elowen gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Lie back. We'll see what the signs tell us."
Mera obeyed, her heart racing as Elowen placed a warm hand on her abdomen, muttering under her breath in a language older than the kingdom itself.
Minutes passed in silence until Elowen's hands stilled. Her gaze locked on mera, her expression calm but unreadable. "You are with a child. Two, to be exact."
Mera's breath caught. For a moment, the room tilted. Twins. The words echoed in her mind, heavy with
Mera sat up slowly, Elowen's words still ringing in her ears. "Twins?" she whispered, barely believing it.
Elowen nodded, her expression grave. "The court cannot know. This news is dangerous—for you and them."
Mera pressed a hand to her stomach, her thoughts racing. If the council discovered her pregnancy, they would use it against Lerius .
The lives growing inside her could become weapons in a political game she was only beginning to understand.
"Can I trust you, Elowen?" Mera's voice trembled slightly. "No one else can know."
Elowen gave her a firm, reassuring nod. "I will guard your secret, my queen. But you must tread carefully."
Mera exhaled slowly, knowing that keeping this secret could mean the difference between life and death.
Mera slipped out of the healer's chamber, her mind spinning with the weight of her secret. She rounded a corner and froze. Dian stood in the dim corridor, waiting like a shadow.
He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Mera, we need to talk."
She shook her head, panic flaring in her chest. "You shouldn't be here. If anyone sees—"
"I don't care," Dian interrupted, his voice low. "I can't leave things like this."
Mera crossed her arms, forcing herself to stay calm. "It's too late for regrets."
"I know I hurt you," he whispered, guilt flickering in his eyes. "But I never stopped—"
"Stop," she snapped, her heart pounding. "Whatever this is, it doesn't change anything."
Before Dian could respond, a guard's footsteps echoed nearby. Mera shot him a warning look. "Go. Now."
With one last glance, Dian disappeared into the shadows, leaving her breathless and shaken.
Mera paced her room, her heart racing as the weight of her situation pressed down on her. She placed both hands on her stomach, the enormity of her responsibility settling over her. She couldn't stay here, trapped in this castle, surrounded by enemies.
The twins were a threat to everyone—Lerius 's rule, the council's plans, and most dangerously, her own freedom. If the truth surfaced, the council would stop at nothing to control or eliminate them. And Lerius ? She couldn't predict what he would do.
Her gaze flicked to the window, the forest beyond the castle whispering of freedom. Running was the only option. But how could she escape without being caught? The guards watched her every move.
She clenched her fists, determination hardening in her chest. She had to find a way. For the twins. For her future.
The moon hung low on the horizon, its silver light casting long shadows across the room. Mera stood at the window, her heart resolute. "I'll protect you," she whispered to the lives growing within her. "No matter what it takes."
The night stretched ahead, filled with uncertainty, but one thing was clear—she couldn't wait much longer. Time was running out.