Caro’s fingers twitched in his hand as the baby kicked his opposite palm. Her eyes remained closed, but her pulse kicked up a notch.

“Caro?” he whispered.

“Sethios,” she breathed.

He hadn’t known what to expect, but hearing his name on her tongue, even as soft and painful as it was, sent a jolt of electricity right to his heart.

Thank fuck for immortality.

“I’m right here,” he assured her. “You’re okay, love.”

“Don’t—” She broke off on a harsh cough, her body convulsing with the movement.

“Shh, don’t try to speak.” He drew soothing circles over her belly. “Both of you need to relax.”

She shook her head, her eyes still closed. “No. I don’t want…” She swallowed, her throat constricting on the words.

“Don’t want what, angel?” he asked, concerned. She had better not say she doesn’t want me. He’d been an ass before, but she’d essentially said she didn’t care if he died. And worse, she didn’t care if their own child killed him.

“You’re an abomination.” Her fingers curling into a fist inside his palm as his heart stopped beating. Was she really going to continue this conversation now? In the middle of giving birth? Did the woman have a death wish?

“But,” she continued, her voice hoarse. She cleared her throat twice before proceeding while his entire body lay frozen beside hers. “But you’re my abomination.”

He frowned, not following. “We can discuss this after—”

“No,” she said, a little stronger, her eyes opening finally to reveal two pools of liquid sapphire. “You’re my abomination, Sethios. Mine.” She unfurled her fist to press her palm to his. “No one may kill you. No one.”

He blinked, surprised.

When he’d asked earlier if she could stomach their own child killing him, she hadn’t responded. He had assumed it was because she didn’t know. But the vehemence in her gaze now suggested she more than knew where she stood on the subject. She didn’t reply originally because she couldn’t.

Now, even while their daughter was essentially ripping her insides apart, the first thing she fought to do was not to give birth but to tell him how she felt.

Mine.

He swallowed under the emotion that single word instilled inside of him. Because he felt that way about her too. Not that he wanted to admit it out loud. Especially with their current audience.

They still needed to discuss her outlook on Ichorians and Hydraians, as well as their daughter’s apparent future, but that could be handled over time.

“Did you just profess your love to me, angel?” He pitched his voice low in an attempt to tease her and diffuse the intense atmosphere in the room, but her lips didn’t twitch.

“Yes.” No hesitation or light-headedness in her tone. Not even a blink.

“Oh, Caro.” He cradled her face between his palms. “You’re emotional right now. We’ll talk about all of this after the baby is born, okay?”

“I mean it, Sethios,” she said, utter conviction underlining her words. “I would never condone—” She cried out in pain, ending whatever else she wanted to say.