Chapter 62

They spent a moment in silence after saying aloud the truth. Funny how it had a way of killing conversation.

She broke the quiet. "Your plan to use me as bait is the right one."

"No, it's not. I'll find another way that doesn't put the baby or you in danger."

Her nose wrinkled. "Another way? How long will that take? And exactly where do you think we can go? There is nowhere that will ever truly be safe for her while the queen lives."

"Her?" he queried.

"Yes, her. I've decided it feels like a girl." She cupped her belly.

"Feel?"

"Call it a mother's intuition."

He drawled. "Guess I can't be arguing with that."

"I'm surprised you're not insisting it's a son."

"It doesn't matter what comes out of you. I'm the father."

He said that now, but what if. . . "What if she has a tail?"

"I've heard you can teach them to toss knives with it."

The fact he even had an answer stymied her. "You'll teach her to fight?"