“Still no movement?"
Ilena sat rigid on the healer's cot, one hand splayed over her flat stomach. The other clenched the wool blanket so tightly her knuckles were bloodless.
The visiting herbalist lowered her palm from Ilena's skin, brow furrowed. “You should be feeling something by now. With resonance-bonded pregnancies, signs appear early. But…"
“But what?" Ilena whispered.
“There's a residue in your bloodwork. Night-bloom Hemlock."
Ilena froze. “That's Bone-Fang's toxin."
The herbalist nodded. “It doesn't kill. It withers. Halts growth. Quietly sterilizes the host if left too long."
For a moment, the air disappeared.
Ilena stared at the floor. “Then the poisoned water…"
“Was never meant to kill warriors," the woman said gently. “It was meant for you. And the child."
---
Kael
