My baby cried again in my arms, small and fierce, and something inside me locked into place. She was warm against my chest, tiny fingers curling around the edge of Rylan's cloak. I could feel her heartbeat through the bond, fast and strong, like she already knew the world was trying to take her.
The witch's staff glowed brighter, the red light spilling across the snow. "The child is born under the full moon. The price is due. Give her to me now and the curse ends completely. Refuse and one of your kings dies before the moon sets. Those are the terms."
Darius knelt beside me, one hand on my shoulder, the other hovering over the baby like he could shield her from the whole mountain. Kane stood on my other side, knife still out, his storm-gray eyes locked on the witch. Rylan stayed at my feet, with his claws out, but his eyes were on the baby, wide and raw.
