Aera held her hands to her chest, her face pulled in one of disgust, her stomach in knots. "That's awful."

"Hm." Kentaro said, sitting next to where she stood, bent over his feet as he fastened them into his boots. They were in his chamber, he'd sent word and had her brought in when the sun was barely over the horizon. Kentaro sat on the bench at the foot of his bed. Earlier that morning, Kentaro's cousin on his mother's side, Bronson, the Duke of Westburrow, was found slaughtered in his carriage. His body was so bloody that the guards who located the carriage were only able to identify him from the ring he wore on his finger. The ring, which meant it wasn't a robbery. 

"Our Father..." Aera breathed out, feeling like she might be sick. Taris must have had something to do with it. But why? Why Bronson? Such a harmless man, there was no way he'd made enemies out of the kind of people to call a hit on him. 

"Hey," Her husband stood and she looked at him. He misread her horror at Taris' hand in the business and mistook it for shock for the dead. He put his hands at her elbows and pulled her close, pressing his forehead against hers to look into her eyes. "Don't worry. It was just a horrible misfortune on his part. Wrong place, wrong time." 

[i]Wrong enemies[/i]. Aera thought. 

The wine had left his system sometime in the night, the news of his cousin clearing his head for the morning. She stared into his silvery grey eyes, so serious and steady. She'd fallen in love with those eyes. Looking at her now was the man she'd married, the man she'd left behind her world for. Noticing the look in her eyes, Kentaro kissed her hard and passionately, wrapping his arms around her. "I have to go." He whispered against her soft lips. Objection was written on her face when he stepped back. [i]She's still mine[/i]. He thought. The prince gave her a smile. "I will come to you tonight, when I've come back from visiting my aunt."

Alone, Aera touched her lips with two fingers, knowing he wouldn't come to her chambers tonight. She'd heard him say that too many times to bother getting her hopes up now. A small part of her, even, hoped he wouldn't visit. [i]I couldn't handle it.[/i] 

Leaving her husband's chambers she went downstairs to request something to break her fast and help with her stomach. She still felt like she'd be sick. A bread bowl soaked in potato broth was put in front of her and she ate slowly as her mind went over Bronson and Taris. 
Why would Taris go after Bronson? The elf rolled her eyes. [i]Because he was told to[/i]. But why?
And who would be next? Aera pushed her bowl away. Taris had admitted he'd be here for a few months, to take care of a few jobs. Who was next? Holding herself steady with her arms flat on the table, the room spun. Who would be next? 
Suddenly unable to fight the desire to hide, she stood and went out the dining hall door, wanting to get to the privacy of her own chambers. Who else would people want dead, beside the elven whore everyone despised? Had Taris really come to kill her? [i]Oh, Gods[/i], she felt weak. [i]I kissed him! I'm probably a game... he seduces the women he's set out to kill...[/i]

Her knees gave out and she fell against the wall in a faint. 

The sound of voices woke her up. In and out, she dreamed she could see Alais standing before her, her dark face smiling, framed with her untamable dark hair. Behind Alais stood Ruli, his soft wheat hair hanging over his shoulders, his tan skin covered in the blood from his broken nose. [i]I did that to you[/i], her mind said. Alais crouched before her and said her name, her dark blue eyes full of concern. [i]How are you here?[/i] Aera thought, her eyes went to Ruli. [i]You left me. So angry... And you.[/i] She glanced at Alais. You died[/i]. 
"She's pregnant."
[i]Yes. Aera thought, still staring at her friend. [i]You died giving birth. The baby took your life.[/i]

Behind her, Ruli opened his mouth, but it was Kentaro's voice that came out. "Aera, my sweetling." Confused, Aera blinked, opening her eyes to find Ruli and Alais gone and Kentaro standing over her. He smiled when she opened her eyes. "Thank the Gods." He bent and kissed her cheek, sitting beside her on the bed. 
"What?" She asked, still confused. They were in her chambers, surrounding her where she lay in her bed, a wet clothe draped over her forehead. Kentaro sat beside her, a physician and the palace alchemist near her head, and Risa near her feet. They were all happy, which made Aera uneasy. "What's wrong?" 
"They say you're with child!" Kentaro smiled at her. "No, Love, stay in bed, don't get up. The baby made you pass out and you bumped your head." Aera lay back down, resting her head on the pillow.
[i]Fool[/i]. She thought to herself, staring at her husband. [i]I couldn't be carrying a baby, you haven't slept with me in months. Please don't make me admit that in front of everyone.[/i]
Kentaro stood, lifting her hand to his lips. "Sleep, my darling. Rest, and regain your strength. Come, lets all let her rest in peace." 

With them gone, Aera rolled over and faced the wall, hugging her pillow to her body, tears in her eyes. It would be all over the city in a few hours, that she was carrying the Prince's child. When they found out she really wasn't, they'd hate her even more. The physician had to know the truth. He was doing this to her, destroying her. The elf curled into a ball and cried on her pillow, the lump on her head pounding in pain with each fast heartbeat.