Aria's POV
Six months in, and Evelyn finally had news specific enough to share.
"A daughter," she said, warmth evident in her weathered smile as she set aside her instruments. "Strong heartbeat. Healthy, by every measure I can determine."
The word settled through me like sunlight. "A daughter."
Damien's hand found mine, his eyes suspiciously bright. "A daughter," he repeated, something reverent in his voice.
"Any early guesses about her temperament?" I asked Evelyn, only half joking.
"Stubborn," Evelyn said dryly. "She's already kicked me twice during this examination alone."
Damien laughed, warm and unguarded, and pressed a kiss to my temple. "She takes after her mother, then."
"Or her father," I countered, "who once told an entire Council he'd rather lose his authority than aband
