Phoebe’s POV
It took forever for to stop shaking. I clung to Perry like he was my lifeline, and he had to clear his entire schedule because of my breakdown.
Timothy looked ready to argue, but Elder Tricia caught the deadly expression on Perry’s face and knew better than to push.
——
The elder couldn’t miss how sothing was eating Perry alive. Whatever could affect the king this deeply had to involve his mate.
"Why’d you stop ?" Timothy scowled. "Usually you’d be the one lecturing him."
"Look at his face. He’d slaughter half the court if he showed up like that, especially with the elders pushing their demands."
Timothy wasn’t pleased, but he got it. Normally he’d pick up on Perry’s ntal state, but work had been consuming him lately.
——
Phoebe’s POV
Perry never left my side. One mont I’d feel okay, like I could handle this, then I’d crumble again, apologizing endlessly.
"It’s not your fault. Bla instead. I caused this. I put you through hell, and this is my punishnt. It’s only happening to you because hurting you destroys a thousand tis over. I’m sorry."
He held tight, kissed , made love to , desperate to pull out of this spiral. But no matter what he did, I’d swing between okay and shattered.
The cycle never stopped.
Even during sex, I’d break down when the grief hit like a tidal wave.
That made everything worse.
"Shh. You’re okay." He kissed my forehead while buried deep inside , caught in an impossible position as I cried beneath him.
This was pure torture. If killing soone could fix , he’d burn the world down, himself included.
"It’s okay." He started to pull away, and it clearly hurt him, but I wrapped my legs around him, keeping him close. I needed to finish this.
I kissed him first, desperate to forget even for a mont. Sex might help, even temporarily.
He made love to slowly, carefully, until the pain consud us both, leaving nothing but broken pieces.
"I love you, Phoebe. I’ll choose you over everything else. Don’t forget that." He kept saying it, like a prayer he’d never tire of.
On the sixth day, I finally felt human again. Ready to talk.
I wrote the question while we lay naked together, our bodies craving connection. *Does anyone else know?*
"Only Marcela."
*The elders will cause problems.*
"Smart girl." Pride filled his voice as he pulled closer. "I’m dismantling the elder panel. The king’s word will be the only law."
*They won’t go quietly.*
"I know. I’ve got it handled. Don’t worry about this. Just focus on getting better." He lifted my hand, showing how thin I’d gotten. "You need to eat. All those tears have lted you away."
Weird comparison, but it made smile.
Now I understood what was wrong with . It wasn’t that I couldn’t conceive. There was still a chance for pregnancy, but my body was the problem.
I was too weak. I couldn’t handle the changes of carrying a child, especially the king’s child.
It would destroy .
I could die in childbirth, or lose the baby during pregnancy.
The issue was my health.
If I got stronger... if I beca healthier...
Hope flickered. I held onto it tight.
Perry didn’t need to know. Neither did Marcela. I’d handle this alone since they’d never agree.
But I knew my body better than anyone. I knew my limits.
"What’s going through that head?" He tilted my chin up. "I told you to stop worrying about this."
I shook my head. ’I’m not.’
If I could give him an heir, the elders wouldn’t matter.
——
Perry’s POV
The real crisis hit the next morning with Valerium warriors.
"They destroyed Sunstone Creek pack and two smaller ones overnight," Timothy said, breathless with urgency. "The report just ca through. They cut off all access routes. The ssenger had to run three hours through forest to reach the nearest outpost."
My jaw clenched as I picked up pace, Timothy jogging to keep up. "Was it Reginald?"
"The warrior didn’t confirm, but he spotted so fugitives."
"I’ll lead the attack."
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