It happened in the dead of night, exactly three weeks after the first winter snow had frozen solid against the high walls of the Citadel.
The royal bedchamber was dark, warmed only by the heavy embers in the hearth. Valerius was sound asleep, his massive arm draped protectively over Aaliyah’s heavily swollen stomach, his chin resting near her shoulder. Even in sleep, his inner beast remained violently alert to her every breath.
Which was why, the exact second Aaliyah’s breath hitched, Valerius’s eyes snapped open.
"Aaliyah?" Valerius whispered, his deep voice thick with sleep but instantly laced with adrenaline. He shifted, rising onto his elbow to look down at her.
Aaliyah was gripping the heavy fur blankets, her knuckles stark white. Her silver eyes were wide, and a sudden, sharp
