A Dangerous Thought

Seraphine stood frozen, Kaelith's words lingering in the air between them.

I want you to bear my child.

Not just any heir. Ours.

She should have laughed. She should have scoffed, thrown his request back in his face with a sharp remark.

But she didn't.

Because something deep inside her had stirred at his words.

Something dangerous.

Kaelith watched her, his expression unreadable, but there was something else in his gaze—something that unsettled her more than his usual arrogance.

He meant it.

This wasn't just about politics or power. This wasn't just about winning.

And that made it all the more terrifying.

Seraphine swallowed, forcing herself to lift her chin. "And what if I refuse?"

Kaelith didn't look away. "Then you refuse." His voice was calm, but there was an intensity beneath it. "But ask yourself, Seraphine—why does the thought of it unsettle you so much?"

Her breath hitched, but she refused to let him see how deeply his words struck her.

She turned away before he could see the war behind her eyes.

She needed to think.

And she needed to figure out why the idea of carrying his child wasn't something she could immediately reject.

To be continued…

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