For now, however, she was safe.
That was enough.
Leena shifted in her chair with a soft grunt, pressing one hand to the small of her back. The weight of the child settled heavily against her spine, and with a wince, she braced herself before rising slowly.
Pain lanced through her belly, sharp and sudden. She stilled and inhaled tightly through her teeth.
Sule was beside her in an instant, his hands bracing her arms with steady certainty.
“Leena?” he murmured, concern flooding his voice. “You should be resting.”
Leena offered him a defiant smile despite the discomfort.
“Oh, really? I hadn’t noticed.” She dismissed the pain with a small wave of her hand. “Please, Sule, don’t start fussing. I’m fine. It’s only the baby—nothing I haven’t already felt this week.”
His hand remained against her back, his thumb drawing circles along her spine, but his gaze stayed fixed upon her face, the deep furrow between his brows carved by worry.
“You’re too stubborn for your own good, woman,” he muttered, although there was nothing but love in his tone.
“You worry too much,” she replied warmly.
She reached up and brushed her thumb gently over his lower lip before her attention shifted toward the door. Her posture changed, becoming resolute.
“I need to speak to Rhen.”
Sule’s expression hardened as the king within him rose immediately to the surface.
“You are not going near that room alone. The female is transitioning, the tether is unstable, and heretic magic is inside the wards.”
“You know Rhen would never hurt me.”
“That is not the point.” Sule’s voice dropped. “I trust him with your life. I do not trust what is happening inside him, and I sure as hell do not trust whatever magic followed that female through our gates.”
Leena held his gaze.
“Then walk me there.”
His brow lowered. “And stay.”
“No.”
The word was gentle but absolute.
Sule’s jaw tightened.
“Leena—”
“I need to speak to him alone.”
“He is volatile.”
“He is always volatile.”
“This is different.”
“I know.” She moved closer and placed her palm over his heart. “That is precisely why I need you to leave us alone. If youstand over his shoulder as king, he will hear an interrogation. If Dax or Cole enters, he will hear a challenge. He may actually speak to me.”
Sule looked down at her, frustration and fear sharpening every line of his face.
