I gripped the back of a chair to keep myself upright. My heart was pounding against my ribs, and I could barely get the words out. “She…she came to me with a warning. She reminded me that the thing that I refused to give up will bring me nothing but grief. That—” my stomach cartwheeled; I swallowed hard and continued in a whisper “—that what I’m carrying will either unite the courts, or destroy them.”

“What you’re…” Ash stopped. Stared at me. I felt the energy in the room shift the moment he got it.

“Meghan.” His voice was calm, controlled, but so many emotions swirled just below the surface. “Are…are you…pregnant?”

I shivered and closed my eyes, not knowing whether to laugh or cry or scream. “I think so.”

Ash exhaled slowly. I heard him sit, rather suddenly, on the bed.

Silence fell. Beau whined and nudged his hand, but when that yielded no reaction, he hopped up and sank down next to him with a groan, laying his head on his paws. I closed my eyes and waited.

“What else did the oracle say?” Ash finally whispered, sounding dazed.

“She has a proposition for me,” I replied, afraid to turn around, to face him. Afraid that I would see fear, dismay or disappointment in his eyes. “She wants me to find her, said that I have ‘friends who can show me the way.’ She said she’ll be waiting for me, and my decision.”

“Decision?” I heard the frown in his voice. “What kind of decision?”

“She didn’t say.” I was shaking, trying to hold back frustrated tears. I needed to be strong, but I had just received the news that I was pregnant, and not only that, my child could end up destroying everything I’d worked so hard to protect. To top it all off, I didn’t know if Ash wanted a kid, or was ready for a kid, or if I was ready for a kid. “I didn’t have a chance to ask about the details,” I said, attempting to keep my voice steady. “After reminding me of that little prophecy, she disappeared, and I decided it was time to go home, screw what the other rulers thought.”

“Hey.” Ash’s low, soothing voice finally made me turn around. He sat on the edge of the mattress, his eyes and face calm, and held out a hand. “Come here a second.”

I stepped forward and put my hand in his. He drew me close and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing his forehead to my stomach. “I’m here,” he murmured, as I gave a shaky sob and bent over him, hugging him in relief. “You’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out.”