"But he forced you—"
"He used magic, yes, and it wasn't pleasant, but neither was it life-ending. I hate him, but I can't hate the result."
Which made me all the more ashamed, because I could. I didn't want to bear Lucian's child. No ifs, buts, or maybes.
But could I abort the child? Could I do that, when there was also a slim chance that the child was Azriel's?
That was a question I just couldn't answer.
I caught Ilianna's hand and squeezed it lightly. "Where's Tao? And Carwyn? Last time I saw them, they were both all fired up to ride to your rescue."
She smiled. "Well, right now they're both more than a little pissed at missing all the action. I believe Carwyn had pictured himself coming to my rescue and sweeping me off my feet in the process."
"Oh, I have no doubt about that." I hesitated. "Does he know what happened?"
"Not yet. But I'll tell him soon."
"How will that affect things?"
"It won't. He's after the merger with my family more than just me." She shrugged, expression unconcerned. But then, it wasn't like it was a love match. She had that in Mirri. "Stallions never take kindly to the offspring of others, but he won't hurt the child, and she'll be allowed to remain in his herd until grown."
"I guess that's something."
"That's everything. At least everything that matters." She smiled. "Tao said he'd visit tonight, seeing your aunt is adamant you get no more than one visitor at a time, lest it weaken you."
"She can be rather fierce about these things," I said with a smile.
"Too right she can," the woman in question said. "Ilianna, time's up. You can visit her tomorrow. Right now, she needs to rest."