of dread wash over me. It seemed like everyone was

e too, but I couldn't help feeling like it

wave of relief wash over me. I ne

. As I was sitting on my bed

sked, feeling a

us," came

if I should let him in. But before I

e said, his voice d

us?" I asked, trying t

e queen is doing," he said,

nger. How dare he s

id, trying to ke

just l

nting. "But the king is not happy. He's b

in my stomach. Wa

nt?" I asked, m

es," he said, his voice icy. "And to let

, leaving me alone

f pressure, but I couldn't help feeli

eeling a sense of despair wash over me. I

y door snapped me

d, trying to kee

or, it was

?" I asked, tryi

s voice smooth and comma

yself for the worst. "What about?" I a

ng the door behind h

ried to stay calm. I knew what he was going to

not getting pregnant," Maxi

of a lie, but m

oice shaking. "Maybe it's ju

dn't look

said, his voice hard. "B

nger. How dare he t

e rising. "But I'm not a machine. I

taken aback b

e softening. "But we have to thi

sh over me. He was right.

reath on my skin. "You have a choice," he said, his voice cold and hard. "You can

e consequences might be. "What do you want from me

an heir, an heir damn it!" he said, his tone le

n't ready for it. I could feel the weight of his expectations crus

you an heir?" I aske

Then you'll be of no use t

pped and helpless. I had no allies here, no one to turn to for he

to me once again. "I won't hurt you. But you must under

saw was coldness and detachment. He didn't care about me, not really. I was just a m

I said, my voice firm. "

d at me for a

ce shaking with emotion. "But I won't

ou will do as I say, Felici

heard this all before, and i

I was going to make it. "I choose to leave," I said, m

t I refused to back down. I was stronger th

ur relationship ? I'm your wife , I also have need

for weak people," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'

d, my voice pleading. "Don'

is head. "I can't afford to let emotions cloud my judgment," he

e, I had been fooling myself into thinking that there

't care about me, not really. And surely he would never find out who I was his mate .

," I said, my voice trembling with e

ve, there will be consequences," he warned. "Y

," I said, my voice shaking with determina

his grip tight and painful. "You'll regret thi

hed past Maximus and

that I had to get away from him. I ran as fa

d Maximus's vo

new that i was risking everything by leaving – my safety

at my life had become. I had never imagined that I would end up here, running

here i went, there would

idea where to go or what to do next. But I knew one thin