Page 87 of Bred

“You will give birth to the next royal son of the Leonan line in my bed,” he said. “And then you will not leave it again.”

“But, Majesty,” one of his advisors said, clearly shocked, “she must be taken to the birthing chambers. It is tradition.”

“It is no longer my tradition,” Venali snarled.

The advisor nodded, and I felt a swell of love for the king who had taken me into his heart, as well as his bed.

“I need to tell you something,” I whispered as he laid me down on the rich coverlet. Servants rushed into the room with hot water and towels, and a cool cloth was pressed to my forehead.

“What is it?”

“Tannyl,” I whispered. “The goblin. Do not let him near me. He has… He has threatened to steal the child away and plans to end your own life. Please, please do not let him in.”

Venali’s dark eyes narrowed. “Why would he do what?”

“I defied him. I refused to do his bidding.”

“His bidding? I don’t understand.”

Desperation clawed at me with sharper pangs than my impending delivery. “The only reason I was presented to you is because of the goblin… I would never have been considered as a surrogate without his help. I promised—”

The tears came in a flood.

Venali took hold of my chin and forced me to look at him. “It doesn’t matter what you promised. He doesn’t own you.”

I shook my head. “Not anymore.”

Venali’s forehead creased in anger and I worried I had said too much. Pain rippled across my stomach, and I cried out in agony.

“Please,” I choked out, “do not let him in. I do not need his potions. I only need you.”

“The goblin is here, Majesty,” a servant said. “He brings medicine and herbs to ease the surrogate’s birth.”

“Take the potions from him and have the guards take him to the dungeon,” the king commanded without looking at the servant who had spoken. He took my hand in his and held it gently.

“Majesty, are you—”

“Do not make me repeat myself!” he shouted. The servants scrambled to do his bidding and the thud of the guards’ boots on the stone floor filled me with fear for a split second before the chamber door slammed shut. Shouts from the corridor confirmed that the king’s command had been followed.

“You are safe with me,” he said, and leaned forward to kiss me. His lips were tender, and I leaned into his kiss with relief and wonder. He loved me… I knew it with every inch of my body, and when the kiss broke, his smile lifted my heart even higher..

“Now, my darling, Liana, let us welcome our son into the world.”

THE END