"Would you rather set up our child for war from the instant it's born? If the serpiente reject our child for their throne, then you still have Salem as your heir. If my people reject it, there will be no Tuuli Thea after me." I stepped back from her, horror seeping into my blood. My gaze flickered to the others in the room. Ailbhe's pale blue eyes would not meet mine. Rei's did, but then he looked away. Valene was watching Danica, her expression unreadable. My mate was the only one who would meet my gaze, her golden eyes pained. "Out," I said, speaking to our audience. They looked at one another, hesitating. Valene first deferred, followed by Rei. Ailbhe lingered a moment longer, and I was not sure whether he did from guilt or compassion. Then we were alone, and I took Danica's hands. "Danica, do you know what you are asking of me? Giving up my child to the Keep, to be raised by strangers, to sleep in lonely silence, to be taught to be ashamed of what she feels and what she ...and to be betrothed before she can even , before she can possibly understand " Danica closed her eyes for a moment, taking a breath. "I will never have a mate but you. I love you. And yes, I will have an heir. But you are talking about taking away my " "What else can we do?" she returned. "Zane, I was raised in the Keep; it is not as horrible as you think. And you would still see her--" She broke off, because she knew as well as I that the heir to the Tuuli Thea saw her parents only in formal situations. She shook her head. "Please...Zane, is there another way? Anything else that will keep our firstborn child from coming into the world only to see her land ripped apart by war?" Silence. "It will be months before the child is born," I whispered, pleading not only with Danica, but with whatever powers might be. "We don't have to make this decision, not yet." Danica nodded, but still she said, "One queen cannot rule two worlds, even if she is of both."