‘I would not state what I do not know to be the truth.’

‘No child? Ever?’

‘Not by Prince Brynach, nor any other man.’

‘Any other? She would not wish to know of such a thing! You were not instructed…’

‘Indeed I was not instructed! Your mistress asked for my help and it was freely given. I sought an answer to her question—would she ever bear a child? The answer came back no, not for any man, not ever.’

‘I recall her also asking for your assistance in conceiving a child!’

‘As she has asked you, so many times.’

‘You are quick to dismiss my cures…’

‘And what do they cure, tell me?’

‘… but I see you offer no hope. No help. No remedy.’

‘I will not give false hope. I will not offer a remedy where there is none. Unlike some…’

‘My only desire is to aid the princess. To ease her suffering!’

‘And to prolong her wish for the impossible, to keep alive a longing that is the bedfellow only of pain and disappointment. Does this ease her suffering?’

‘I act only out of love for my mistress.’

To my astonishment, I see tears glinting upon her cheeks. She quickly brushes them away, and makes her voice level and firm once more.

‘I cannot return to Princess Wenna with such news. We must think of a way to … to soften the blow, else I fear it could kill her.’

‘Can a person die of disappointment?’

‘You know full well what is at stake here, and not just for the princess. Her wish to be a mother is not for herself alone. It is for the prince, of course, but also for the future of her people. The future of the prince’s domain.’

‘All the more reason she should know the truth.’

Nesta shakes her head. ‘You are a heartless creature, Seren. People say you do not feel as others, that your soul thrives only in the dark hours. How can you know what my mistress endures? How can you understand?’

‘If it were within my gift to change the way things are, do you not think I would do it? My magic has its limits. I was not shown a way to put a babe in the arms of the princess.’ I cast my gaze into the fire as I speak, my own heart heavy with the burden of such sorrow. ‘She must learn to accept that which cannot be changed. As must we all.’