The Grand Duchess looked at Liv her daughter-in-law with tears welling in her eyes. Guilt, fear, and unspoken love tangled in her expression. "She must live," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
The healers began their work.
And just as they were about to move Liv into a safer position for delivery a guard ran in, breath ragged, face ashen.
"Your Grace—" his voice shook. "News from the front."
Everything stopped.
Jay turned slowly.
"The Grand Duke…" the guard swallowed, as if the words themselves were too heavy. "He has been gravely wounded. A coordinated strike by the clan heads the barrier fell for a moment. The Emperor is still fighting, but… his condition is critical."
The words fell like a hammer.
The Grand Duchess closed her eyes, her breath catching as pain surged through her reopened wound, blood flowing faster. The Marchioness covered her mouth to stifle a sob. Leon clenched his fists until his nails bit into flesh.
Jay went utterly still.
His father.
