Page 65 of The Crowned Queen

The healer didn’t speak as she helped Araya into it, her hands quick and careful as she did up the laces Araya’s own fingers were shaking too badly to manage. But her expression stayed carefully blank, her silence saying more than any words could have ever communicated.

Araya closed her eyes, forcing herself to take a deep breath as Jaxon’s voice rose beyond the curtain, his laugh too loud in the quiet space that had become her sanctuary. Loren had endured twenty-five years of torture at the hands of people like Darian Hale. Surely she could endure whatever Jaxon and Caylin did to her here.

“Ah, Miss Starwind.” Hayes barely glanced at her as he pulled the curtain back. “How nice to see you up and dressed. Quite the difference from how you arrived.”

“She certainly looks better,” Garrick Shaw said, his sharp eyes sweeping over her. “Is she recovered?”

“She’s stable,” Hayes said. “Physically at least. I’ll have to insist you wait another few weeks on any further physical trauma,” he added, glancing at Jaxon. “Her body has been through a difficult recovery. Magic speeds things along, but nothing can replace time for healing, unfortunately.”

Jaxon’s mouth tightened, irritation flashing there before he smoothed it away. “Master Pryce won’t be involved moving forward.”

“Yes,” Garrick cut in smoothly. “We’ve decided to move in another direction with our approach. When was Miss Starwind’s last cycle? I know fae fertility isn’t your area of study, but we’d appreciate any insight you have.”

Araya’s stomach dropped, the brief flash of relief she’d felt curdling into something cold and nauseating.

“Ah,” Hayes hummed, frowning. “I’ll defer to my apprentice on that. She’s much closer to her instruction on fae biology than I am.”

Elise looked like she might be sick as everyone turned to look at her, her knuckles white where her hands twisted in her blue robes.

“Miss Starwind’s last recorded cycle was approximately three weeks ago,” she said, her voice wavering. “Of course, fae fertility is difficult to track. There are a lot of variables we don’t wholly understand⁠—”

“But to the best of our ability?” Hayes prompted.

Elise swallowed. “Yes. There is a reasonable chance Miss Starwind is currently or will be fertile in the near future.”

“Now,” Hayes admonished. “We aren’t set up to oversee a fae pregnancy here, Commander Shaw. If she does take, you’ll have to transfer back to Aetheris with her for proper care⁠—”

The words blurred together, drowned out as the roaring in Araya’s ears swelled. Another direction. This had always been the ultimate threat, hadn’t it? And now they were going to see it through.

They only shackled her wrists for the walk back to Jaxon’s tent. Araya barely saw anything they passed, the curious gazes of the soldiers sliding off of her like water. Her own heartbeat was a drum pounding in her ears, the ground tilting under her feet.

She was probably fertile right now. With no ta’nara rune to protect her.

“Drain her first,” Garrick said. “Down to the dregs. Fae magic works on will, so that should give you a better chance. I assume you have the mechanics well in hand⁠—”

“Gods—” Jaxon caught Araya by the arm, urging her up the short steps to his tent. “Yes, father. I’m familiar.”

“Good,” Garrick said, mounting the steps behind them. “It’s very important⁠—”

“It’s very important that you not stand outside my doorway,” Jaxon said flatly. “For the love of all the gods, Father, find something else to do.”

Garrick paused, one foot on the step. He stared at his son for a long moment, his lips tight.

“Very well,” he said finally. “But don’t disappoint me again, Jaxon. You aren’t the only Shaw capable of siring a child.”

Araya flinched, only Jaxon’s iron grip on her arm keeping her from turning tail and fleeing, no matter how futile it would be. Hot tears filled her eyes, spilling down her cheeks as Jaxon pulled her into the tent, the flap falling closed behind them.

“Araya,” he murmured, almost startled by her tears. “Starling, it’s alright.” He drew her close, tucking her into his arms. “It’s alright. It won’t come to that. I won’t let it.”

Araya shook her head, twisting against his grip—but Jaxon only tightened his hold, his hands unyielding as he pressed her back until the edge of the cot struck the back of her knees.

“I know you’re scared,” he murmured into her hair. “I know this isn’t what you want.”

His heavy hands forced her down, her legs buckling. He dropped to his knees in front of her, his hands stroking a gentle path up and down her calves.

“We’ve known each other a long time, Starling,” he said. “This doesn’t have to be ugly, does it? It’s better for both of us if it isn’t.”

He wanted her permission. The realization lodged in Araya’s chest, stealing her breath away. Not because he cared about her—but because a willing female conceived more easily.