Iron Crowned Page 0,114

be enough to give us a chance to escape to my own land if Dorian wouldn't help us.

I could guess Dorian's thoughts - or rather, his confusion. That Kiyo would be on the verge of killing me made no sense. Asking why would go against Dorian's natural, all-knowing façade. Plus, Kiyo and I weren't his favorite people right now. Giving in to either of us meant a concession Dorian didn't want to make.

"Hail to you!"

An unexpected, raspy voice made me jump, and even Dorian flinched a little. From the crowd, Masthera had emerged, her white hair streaming behind her and eyes as wide as ever. She came forward with purpose and - to my total astonishment - fell onto her knees before me. She stared up at me, and I expected that usual scattered and crazy look. Instead, I saw awe and rapture. Worship, even.

"Hail to you, Queen of Rowan and Thorn. Hail to you, bringer of life, bringer of life. I see it - I see the life growing within you, the mother who will fulfill the prophecy!"

She reached a skeletal hand toward my stomach, and I jerked away from her grasp. "Don't touch me!" I exclaimed.

"I see it," she cried. "You shine, Queen of Rowan and Thorn. You carry the heir. You shine with it."

"Dorian!" exclaimed Kiyo, drawing our attention back. His expression had grown dark at Masthera's words. Full disclosure was the last thing he wanted. "Give her to me! Stay out of this!"

I again looked pleadingly at Dorian. "He's going to try to kill me," I said. "If you throw me out, he and Maiwenn will come after me. Please give us your hospitality."

Dorian - like most everyone in the hall - had been left dumbstruck by Masthera's proclamation. Dorian forcibly schooled his face back to neutrality, but the gaze he turned on me was so heavy and penetrating that I was nearly knocked to my knees again.

"Is it true?" he asked in a low voice that probably only Jasmine heard. "Are you pregnant?"

There was no point in lying or pretending. I gave a swift nod.

His next question nearly broke my heart. He tried so hard to keep his voice level and strong, but I heard the break in it, the longing and desperation. "Is it - is there any chance - is it - "

He couldn't finish but didn't need to. He wanted to know if he was the father. A million thoughts raced through my head. Would things have been different if we'd actually had intercourse the last time we were together? Would I have gotten pregnant with his child, instead of Kiyo's? Maybe. Maybe not. Sex didn't always lead to pregnancy, especially with the gentry. I could still have ended up with Kiyo's babies or been left with a talk show-worthy paternity dispute. If Dorian had been the one to get me pregnant, my future would have been signed and sealed. He would have moved heaven and earth to keep me safe. As it was, I probably could have lied now. The gentry had no paternity tests. That would have simplified things - but I couldn't do it.

"No," I said softly.

Dorian's features stilled, and a surprising wave of regret and sorrow filled me in response to the cavalcade of emotions that had to be going through him as well. He had no reason to help me, not after what he saw as my betrayal. And certainly not with me carrying another man's children.

"Please," said Jasmine. Her blue-gray eyes were large and desperate. I'd never seen her so humble and meek. And I'd certainly never expected to see it on my behalf. "Please help us. Please give us your hospitality. Your Majesty."

My eyes were still locked with Dorian's, my heart still breaking over the hurt I'd caused him. Off to the side, I heard Kiyo warn Dorian again, "This is between Eugenie and me. Give her to me, and this ends. If you don't, Maiwenn and God knows who else will get involved."

"I'm sorry," I said to Dorian, my voice barely audible. "I'm so sorry."

"Please," Jasmine repeated, nearly on the verge of tears now. "Hospitality."

The whole world hinged on Dorian. No one breathed. Then, abruptly, he turned away from me.

"Granted," he said crisply. "The daughters of Storm King are under my protection. Remove the kitsune, and do not allow him entrance again."

The guards were in motion almost before Dorian finished speaking. More had slipped into the room in the last minute or so, and