Damon’s hand was still wrapped around mine, warm and steady. The guards stood like statues along the wall, and the maids moved about quietly, arranging trays of food. Everything felt too heavy, too guarded, too loud, even in silence.
I swallowed, my voice soft. "Thank you, Damon. For all of this. For the guards. For the maids. For protecting me."
His eyes softened, but he didn’t speak. He only squeezed my hand gently, waiting for me to continue.
I lowered my head. "I... I am actually scared. Damon, I am scared."
His brows furrowed, and he leaned closer. "Of what, Lisa?"
I bit my lip, tears burning behind my eyes. My hand rested on my belly. "I don’t want to die. Not me. Not the baby. I..." My voice cracked, and the words broke out of me. "I don’t want to die."
"Lisa." His voice was firm, but low. He reached out and tilted my chin until my eyes met his. "You will not die. Do you hear me? I will not allow it. Not while I breathe. Not while I live."
I trembled under his gaze, but his certainty pressed into me like a shield. "You promise?" I whispered.
"I promise," he said. His tone was iron. "No one touches you. No one touches my child. Even if it costs me blood."
Tears slipped from my eyes, and I nodded. "Thank you."
For a while, we stayed like that, his hand steady on mine. But then, the thought that had been scratching at my mind since the hallway returned. I hesitated before speaking.
"Can I ask you something?"
He nodded. "Anything."
I shifted, my heart racing. "Do you... do you and your brothers... have a good relationship with Uncle Fridolf?"
His brows pulled together. "Fridolf?"
"Yes," I said, trying to keep my tone light, though inside my chest was tight. "I was only wondering. Does he have a close bond with you? With Rowan and Kael?"
Damon leaned back a little, his frown deepening. "No. Not close. He is our uncle, yes, but we never had an intimate relationship with him."
I studied his face, searching for more. "Then... how do you see him?"
He gave a small shrug. "He is a good man. Loyal to the family. Loyal to us. Why do you ask this, Lisa?"
My lips pressed together. The memory of Fridolf stopping me in the hallway came back sharp, the way his eyes lingered, the way his voice carried something darker than care. I wanted to tell Damon, to let him know how his uncle’s presence unsettled me. But fear locked my throat. What if Damon thought I was making up stories? What if it angered him?
So I forced a small smile. "It’s nothing. I was only curious."
Damon’s eyes narrowed, his voice low. "Lisa."
"You are hiding something."
My heart pounded. I shook my head quickly. "No, Damon. I only asked."
He stared at me for a long while, his eyes heavy, then finally let out a breath. "Very well. But if something troubles you, you must tell me. Do you understand?"
"Yes," I whispered, my hands tightening on my dress.
"Good." His voice softened. He rose to his feet and motioned toward the waiting maids. "Come. Sit with me for breakfast. You need strength. The baby needs strength."
I obeyed, though my legs felt stiff, as if they were weighed down with my own fear. The maids had already prepared the table near the window where the morning sun streamed in. The air carried the smell of hot porridge, thick with grains, honey, and crushed nuts. Beside it sat flatbread still warm from the hearth, soft cheese wrapped in leaves, roasted lamb cut into small pieces, and a clay bowl of figs, pomegranates, and dates, their colors shining like jewels. A jug of spiced milk steamed gently, sprinkled with cinnamon bark.
One of the maids stepped forward, bowing low before Damon.
"Your Highness, allow me to taste the meal first."
She lifted the cup of milk, sipped it in front of us, then bowed again. "It is safe, my lord."
Damon nodded and gestured for her to pour some into my cup. He watched me closely, his arms folded as if he would not breathe until I tasted it.
Damon gestured for me to eat. "See? You are safe. Eat, Lisa."
I picked up the cup, but the smell of it turned my stomach. I forced a bite, chewing slowly, but the heaviness in my chest rose. I set the it down quickly, covering my mouth with my hand.
"Lisa?" Damon leaned forward. "What is it?"
I shook my head, swallowing hard. "I can’t. I... I can’t eat. The smell..." My face grew pale, and I grabbed the edge of the table. "I feel sick."
His expression softened instantly. "Morning sickness."
"Yes," I whispered. "It’s worse now. Every morning. Sometimes even the sight of food..." I trailed off, pressing a hand to my lips.
Damon pushed his plate away and reached across the table to take my hand again. "Then don’t force it. We will find something you can keep down." He glanced at the maids. "Bring her fruit. Something light."
"Yes, Alpha," one maid said quickly, hurrying out.
I leaned back in my chair, weak but relieved. Damon’s eyes stayed on me, full of worry. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝗻𝗼𝘷𝗲𝗹•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥
The maids walked in with a tray of fruits and placed it on the table. The smell was fresh, not strong, not heavy, thankfully, something my stomach could accept.
I picked a small slice of apple and chewed slowly. My throat felt tight, but I forced it down. Damon leaned forward.
"Lisa," he said softly, "eat more. You need strength."
I shook my head. "I can’t. My stomach... it turns against me."
He frowned. "Then I’ll send for the doctor now. It might not be safe for the baby."
"No," I said quickly, reaching for his hand. "Please don’t. It’s nothing dangerous. Morning sickness is normal for women in my condition. I’ll be fine."
"Normal?" His brow tightened. "You mean, this happens to all pregnant women?"
"Yes," I whispered. "Not all, but many. I’ve read and I’ve heard. It comes and goes. It doesn’t mean the baby is in danger."
His thumb brushed the back of my hand. "Still, I cannot sit and watch you suffer. What if it gets worse?"
"It won’t," I said, though my voice wavered. "Sometimes, eating fruits or bread helps. Sometimes, nothing helps. But I’ll endure. For our child."
"Still," he muttered, looking at the maids, "make sure fresh fruit is always here every morning. And bread. Something light."
"Yes, Your Highness," the maids said in unison, bowing.
I reached for another small piece, an orange this time. I chewed slowly and managed to keep it down. "See?" I said, glancing at Damon. "I’m fine."