r a moment, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, but something was different today. There was a heaviness in her body, a strange sensation deep in her belly that she couldn't

chen to prepare breakfast, a wave of nausea hit her out of nowhere. She clutched the edge of the counter, her breath coming in short, shallow

red to herself, her hand trembling a

finally catching up with her. But as the morning wore on, the strange sensations only grew stronger. Her senses felt heightened, eve

nd all morning, but now it was impossible to deny. She needed to find out for sure. She grabbed her cloak a

ajar. Seraphina pushed it open, the familiar scent of herbs and smoke washing over her as she stepped inside. The

aler asked, her voice

ress her, simply motioning for Seraphina to sit. She pulled out a small vial and a strip of par

he healer said, her tone matter-of-

parchment. The healer's movements were quick and precise, her expression unreadable as she watched the blood soak in

er eyes narrowing. "You're with child

th child. She had known it was a possibility, of course, but hearing it con

managed to ask, her v

in concentration. "It's early," she said finally. "A few wee

as going to be a mother. A child... Damon's child. The realization hit her l

, but all she could think about was the life growing inside her. A life th

aler asked, her voice cutting thr

wide. "Tell him? No, I... I

. "It's not an easy choice. But he deserves to kno

ed to getting what he wanted. She couldn't imagine how he would react to the news, especially considering t

er life, to have a child on her own terms. But now, everything was spiraling out of contr

aid finally, her voice tre

"Take all the time you need. But don't wait too long. T

l burden. She wandered through the village in a fog, barely noticing the people she passed. All

the trees grew tall and dark, casting long shadows over the path. She hesitated for a mo

e of nature. But today, it felt different. The trees loomed overhead, their branches twisting and turning like the though

oing to do? How could she raise a child on her own? And what would happen if Damon found

e forest floor. She sank to her knees, the weight of her emotions finally overwhelming her. Hot tears spi

for, for the life she had hoped to build on her own, for the fear and uncertainty that now consumed her. But most

d been swirling inside her. But in that emptiness, a new resolve began to take shap

r, but the healer was right. He deserved to kno

art still heavy but her mind clearer than it had been all day. She didn't know what the future held, bu

ision she had made. She would tell Damon, but on her terms, when she was ready.

lt a strange sense of calm settle over her. She was scared, yes, but she was also strong. Stronge

d whispered softly to the child. "We'll be okay," she said, her voice f

shadows and into the light, ready to