Page 21 of Prisoner of Steel and Shadow

“Sounds serious. Should I be sitting down?”

She shook her head. The only place to sit in her room was on the bed, and she didn’t think that would set the right tone for this conversation.

“Well then, I guess I’ll risk staying on the balcony, but I expect you to catch me if shock sends me over the side.”

She laughed despite herself. “You’re putting an awful lot of faith in my reflexes.”

“No,” he murmured, his voice soft and expression warm. “Just in you. As I have since the day we first met.”

She shifted uncomfortably, not sure how to broach the subject other than just blurting it out. “I... that is I cannot...”

Erebos blinked. “I did not think I’d ever see the day my Moonbeam was actually flustered. Whatever it is, darling, you can tell me. We will deal with it together.”

“I cannot bear you a child.”

He stiffened for a second before his shoulders sagged and he blew out a heavy breath. “Is that it? Stars, you really had me going for a minute.”

“Perhaps you didn’t hear me—”

He squeezed her shoulders. “I apologize for what might seem an insensitive reaction. You were just so serious. I assumed the worst. My relief it was simply that—”

“Simply that?” Confusion clouded her mind. This was not remotely the reaction she expected. He didn’t seem surprised at all. Suspicion took root. “You already knew.”

“Of course I did.”

“But how? I never told a soul.”

He remained silent.

“The healer...”

“You nearly died, Shadow. I was worried. You can’t expect me not to follow up. Especially when it was my fault you’d been so grievously injured in the first place.”

“I don’t see how my reproductive system is any of your business.”

“I didn’t pry. It was in the report. No one betrayed your confidence.”

That was a matter of opinion, but she wasn’t going to debate the point. “Well, surely you must agree I’m hardly fit to be a High Lord’s Lady.”

He cupped her face and skimmed his thumb over her cheekbone. “Of course you are. As for children, we will find you a healer. In case you forgot, I do rule practically all of Empyria. I have a far reach. I’m sure there is someone out there who will be able to fully repair any damage you sustained. There’s no price I won’t pay to see you whole. ”

Of course he assumes he can fix me. That I’m broken because I cannot conceive. What a typical reaction. He didn’t even stop to consider I might not require saving. Or want it, for that matter.

Shadow shook her head, watching the last of her hope fade away. Erebos would have his way. Nothing she said would dissuade him. It’s why she stopped saying anything at all. What was the point when no one was listening?

He mistook the sheen of frustrated tears in her eyes. Tilting her face up, he leaned down to ghost his lips over hers. “I will always take care of you.”

For a second, Shadow leaned into the kiss, closing her eyes and hoping maybe this time she’d feel something besides flickers of annoyance. Things would be so much easier if she could simply make herself want him. But no. The only desire she felt was the desire for him to leave her alone.

“It pleases me I was able to put your mind at ease.”

Is that what you think you did?

“If I’d known that was what was worrying you, I would have spoken up far sooner.”

Do you even know me at all?

“I will give you some space to collect yourself. Then I expect you to come down and greet our guests. So many have come so far to meet you and show their support.”

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