Dax stayed near the door, completely silent.
“It’s been eleven weeks since the last time Ibled.”
A cold feeling spread through Roa. Like the early-morningfrost that settles over the ground in the cold season.
When Dax still didn’t respond, Lirabel said: “Eleven weeks is too long, Dax!”
Roa wanted to peer out and look at them. But if she did that, she would surely be seen.
“Lirabel,” Dax finally said, perfectly calm, “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I’m saying... ,” she whispered, “that I’m pregnant.”
Roa flinched.
It was quiet for several heartbeats. And then Dax whispered: “What?”
Eleven weeks.That would have been before the revolt. When Dax was visiting the scrublands, asking for Roa’s help.
Had they—hadthis—been going on for that long? Right under Roa’s nose?
Was this the reason for Lirabel’s distance?
She suddenly saw them in her mind. Dax and Lirabel—her husband and her friend—together in the very bed she hid beneath. The bed Essie dared her to lie in.
She told herself she didn’t care. That it didn’t matter.
But if that were true, why did it feel like she’d just been stabbed in the ribs?
“What am I going to do?” Lirabel whispered.
Roa moved ever so slightly, trying to see, when another knock came on the door.
She watched Dax’s hands clenching and unclenching. But that was the only visible sign of distress she could see in him.
Finally, he moved to answer it. Lirabel turned to the wall,concealing her tears from whoever was interrupting.
“What is it?” Dax asked.
“I was sent to fetch you, my lord.” The voice sounded like one of the staff. Out of breath. “A fight’s broken out between your caravan and members of the House of Sky. We... we aren’t sure what to do.”
“Give us a moment,” Dax said, shutting the door and turning to Lirabel.
“I’m sorry,” he told her. “I need to deal with this.”
Roa frowned. Dax had guards to deal with things like skirmishes.
Lirabel remained facing the wall.
“I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. As soon as we arrive back in Firgaard, I’ll see what I can do for you. All right?”
A cold silence bloomed through the air. Lirabel had nothing else to say to him.
So Dax turned on his heel and left the room.
A dark anger swept through Roa. He’d make sure she was taken care of? He would see what he could do for her?
What kind of a man said these things?
