Kaelen was the first to react.
The King of the North closed his eyes, his broad chest expanding as he took a deep, shuddering breath. When his icy blue eyes snapped open, the absolute terror of the husband clashed violently with the tactical precision of the Alpha.
"No," Kaelen stated, his voice a low, frigid absolute. "I agreed to respect your boundaries, Roxy. I agreed not to cage you. But traversing the frozen expanse to a dead, trap-ridden kingdom while you are actively draining yourself to nurture a new life? That is a death sentence. I completely reject this plan."
"Kaelen," Roxy started, her green eyes flashing with determination.
"He is right, Matriarch," Torian rumbled, leaning heavily on the mahogany table, his blue eyes pleading. "The roads are treacherous. The winter has barely thawed. If a rogue beast so much as breathes on your carriage, the stress alone could sever the magical tether to the child."
