The horns kept sounding through the night, low and frightening, like my father was reminding us he wasn't done. I stood on the southern wall until the sky turned gray, cloak pulled tight over my belly, the witch's mark on my chest throbbing like a fresh bruise. The flutter inside me had settled into a steady little rhythm, almost like the child was keeping time with the distant horns. It made my stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with the bond.
Darius finally pulled me away when the light broke. "You need rest. The child needs rest."
I didn't fight him this time. My legs felt like they were made of wet rope, and the nausea that had been creeping in since the witch's hut was starting to bite harder. I let him steer me back to the chambers while Kane and Rylan stayed on the wall to watch the tree line.
