She swallowed hard. "Because I can't give you offspring. A consort who can't bear children… will eventually be discarded for someone who can."
Rex stiffened.
Then, without hesitation, he tightened his grip around her, his heart pounding.
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Cleo's breath hitched, but she didn't pull away.
"Listen to me," he murmured, his voice softer now, his hand cradling the back of her head. "You think love is just about having children? You think I care about that more than you?"
She didn't answer, but he felt her fingers clutch at his shirt just a little tighter.
"Cleo… you're irreplaceable to me. Do you understand that?" His voice was barely above a whisper now. "Nothing, no one could ever change that."
"Did you hear me?" Rex asked while gently patting Cleo's head.
But she didn't respond.
