“I never thought Damon could be so cold, so callous. He told me it was my doing. That his friend would never betray him in such a way. That I had seduced Claudius and was nothing but a common who…”

“Rilla, don’t even say it. I know you’re not. You know you’re not,” Cilla interrupts. “If Damon cannot accept the truth, perhaps it is better if he is not in the picture.”

I place my hand protectively over my womb, and the tears begin to dry off my cheeks. “You are right, of course. I just thought that since he was here, and was looking for me…” I sigh. “But now my hopes will have to for this little one. I don’t care how she was conceived. She will be, she IS precious to me.”

“She?” my cousin asks with a slight smile.

This question brings a sheepish smile of my own out. “Could be. Gads I am hungry…and tired…”

Cilla picks up on this cue. “Right. I will see you to your room, and make sure you’re brought some food on a tray.”

“Thank you,” I yawn. “With you here for me, I know I can handle whatever the fates have in store for me and this little one.”