Chapter 43"Move closer to the fire," Menakam ordered, rankled that Casina disobeyed him at every turn. Each day she grew thinner and paler while her protruding stomach grew larger and larger. Although she was only about six mentas along, her belly extended to what a typical Zarconian baby would be at full term. There was no doubt in his mind now that she was carrying the heir to an empire, an empire that he desired for his own. Furious at the thought of Dammen Altair siring a son to succeed him, Menakam snaked out a hand, brutally curling his fingers about Casina"s arm. He shoved her towards the burning flames. "I said move, damn it!"
"I don"t want to!" Casina retorted indignantly, hatred for this abominable man coursing throughout every inch of her being.
"You"ll do as I say or be punis
