The silence of the forest pressed down on us as we fled the clearing, the lingering afterglow of magic crackling still in the air. Avalor took my hand firmly, his touch rooting me to the earth as we wove between the twisted, spiny trees. But even with his strength, I could feel the tremors running through him. He hadn't yet spoken since I confessed my pregnancy, and the weight of that silence was suffocating.
Every step shoved my body this way and that. Desperate, I reached a hand up into my abdomen, silent promise made to the child inside me: I will protect you.
We didn't stop until moonlight barely pierced the dense canopy overhead, far enough to feel hidden from Lucius's dark reach. Avalor slowed, and I could feel him watching me from the corner of his eye. I braced myself for the questions, the frustration, or worse, his disappointment.
Finally, he spoke, his voice hushed but heavy.
"How long?"
