The Apprehension (Unexpected Circumstances #6) - Shay Savage Page 0,8

treachery against Silverhelm would spread quickly. He would no longer be allowed to cross our borders to make demands, threaten, or harass us.

There was one other thought that reverberated through my head as my husband’s body entered mine over and over again, and this was the thought that caused my lips to turn up into a smile as sensations flooded my body.

I was not barren.

Branford’s seed filled me again, and this time I joined him in prayer.

And that was when I knew there was still hope.

Chapter 2—Tenderly Promise

Every time I closed my eyes, my thoughts were haunted by images of flames. My nostrils still burned with the smell of acrid smoke. My emotions were everywhere—part of me mourning the loss of one of the few people I had considered a friend while also consumed with anger over what she had denied Branford and me all this time. My anger was not even singular, for I was as angry with myself as I was with Janet.

“What is filling your mind?” Branford asked softly. He laced his fingers through my hair as he held me against his chest.

“How could I have been so foolish?” I replied. It was the thought that had been running through my head over and over again. “After…after she said those things, and I thought back to all the times she would make sure I drank...”

I took a deep breath and brushed my fingers over the soft hairs that made a thin line down the center of his stomach. His skin twitched beneath my touch, and I splayed my hand out on his abdomen.

“I thought she was just trying to take care of me, but now I see the memories in such a different light.”

I felt Branford nod as his chin touched the top of my head.

“I understand that feeling,” he said.

“I believed her,” I said, “but you never trusted her.”

Branford sighed.

“I rarely trust anyone,” he responded. “I am not sure which method is the most advantageous.”

He touched my forehead briefly with his lips before he went back to stroking my hair. I sighed and closed my eyes, hoping that sleep would finally come, but I could not relax. My mind was full of too many questions.

“What will happen to King Edgar and Princess Whitney?” I asked.

Branford stilled a moment before responding.

“There is little I can do without openly declaring war,” Branford admitted. “They are true royals—not like Nelle or Kimberly, who are mere nobles. To kill someone from another royal family would not be looked upon favorably by other kingdoms. Even with Rylan’s protection, we could not survive another war right now.”

“I do not understand,” I said. “If Edgar was behind this…this plot to keep us childless, can he not be punished?”

“If we could prove his involvement, it would be possible.” Branford rolled over to his side, taking me with him. He propped himself up on his elbow and gazed down at my face as his fingers stroked my cheek. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Still, it would be very difficult. If there was direct proof—something much more tangible than a lesser noble’s claim—then I would not only have the justification to demand punishment but likely the backing of the other royal families. Nelle’s confession was enough information to secure Seacrest and Rylan’s uncle, King Liam, in an alliance with Silverhelm but not enough to demand compensation.”

“Compensation?” I repeated, confused.

“Interfering with a royal bloodline is certainly an offense,” Branford informed me, “and would require Edgar to compensate Silverhelm if the allegations could be proven.”

“Compensate how?”

“Typically soldiers, grain, or gold,” Branford replied. “He would never offer soldiers, of course, and his gold does not really interest me. I must admit I would take the grain if it were offered. There are still so many refugees going hungry in the outer regions. In the eyes of the royals, that would make up for his part in Janet’s actions.”

“But if what Lady Suzette said was correct, and the tea was…was killing our…”

Unable to say it aloud, my words failed, and Branford wrapped his arms around my back. I buried my face in the space between his shoulder and neck and tried to breathe regularly as Branford rocked me slightly in his arms.

“I know, my wife,” he said softly. He tried to soothe me as I gathered myself together.

“Can he not be punished for that?” I finally asked as I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand.

“Are you asking if I can have him executed for what he