THE NIGHT AND THE HARLOT

"We need to try again tonight."

The thought of that made Zuri's stomach roil. She remembered the sight of Queen Rimera; pale, weak, exhausted, and pregnant. Would she be like that one day? It felt like she was looking into the future. That would be her own future.

"Fine."

However, that was the only word that she could say. She was not raised to say 'no', her mother always said only if they appeased their man, they could have some sort of peace.

And it was their duty to give birth to an heir.

"Good." Xaden nodded, as if he had expected the answer. He then stood up and walked away, leaving Zuri alone.

The rest of the day, Zuri decided to focus on the little cub that was given to her. She asked Esther and Sarah to ask a carpenter to make a small box for it.

"Why don't we give him a name, Luna?" Esther asked. She caressed the cub's head, while Sarah was combing Zuri's hair.