Alaria:
The courtyard was buzzing. It was always like this when news started to form around when it started to spread.
Whispers moved like wind through stone, maids with half-lowered voices, warriors glancing between one another, servants bowing too deeply whenever Liam passed. I didn’t need anyone to say it out loud.
The news was already flying around. And those who did not know were already aware.
I already heard…
Claire was pregnant.
And the child would be Liam Blackthorne’s heir.
A child that I knew was going to claim everything as his right.
I heard it again and again, like a drumbeat in my ears. Heir. Heir. Heir.
As if Anastasia didn’t exist. As if she hadn’t already bled his blood and carried his fire.
Yes, I knew that. I did not want her to carry any of that responsibili
