empress of storms by nicole m cameron Page B

love. It’s natural to want to have your husband’s child.” One corner of Flavia’s mouth twitched. “Plus you’re a queen in need of an heir. Don’t tell me that isn’t a part of this, mistress.”
    “Perhaps.” The treaty that had led to her wedding also stipulated that her firstborn would become the heir to the throne of Ypres. That still left the throne of Hellas empty. And while Darius could sire a child if necessary, she couldn’t see him settling down long enough to raise it. Which made it her womb’s responsibility to supply not one but two royal heirs. She sighed, rubbing her aching belly. Matthias was in the prime of life, but it wasn’t impossible for him to die from an unexpected illness or an accident. Her own father’s death had proved that.
    She flinched from the thought. 
    When Matthias appeared in her chambers after dinner, she had to inform him of what was going on. Disappointment flickered across his face, replaced by affection and concern. “It doesn’t matter, my dear,” he said, gathering her in for a gentle hug. “I can wait for you a few days.”
    She rested her head on his chest, wondering if she should mention that it was possible for a woman to enjoy intercourse while bleeding. She’d never done it herself, but in her experience and from talking to other Hellene noblewomen it didn’t seem to hinder the experience. However, the men who weren’t bothered by it were few and far between. “I wish we didn’t have to wait,” she hinted. “I have so little time with you as it is.”
    He lifted her chin and kissed her once. “I can’t say I’m looking forward to it myself, my dear,” he said. “But we still have almost a month together. There will be more than enough time for ourselves. Now, I’ll leave you to get some sleep.”
    That startled her. “You’re not staying?”
    He shook his head. “My head is aching after that ridiculous council meeting, and Lord Bournos’s blathering at dinner didn’t help any. I don’t want to disturb you by tossing and turning half the night, especially if you’re already in discomfort.” He pulled her close again and kissed her forehead. “Sleep well, and we’ll dine together in the morning, yes?”
    “All right.” Masking her own disappointment, she walked him to her chamber door and collected one last kiss before he disappeared to his own rooms. Disconsolate, she went back to the bed that now seemed too far too large and tried to settle in under the covers. It would be a long night without the comfortable weight of Matthias’s arms around her.
    I suppose I’ll have to get used to it at some point.
    With that depressing thought, she tried to sleep.
    The next morning she woke sandy-eyed and out of sorts. To make matters worse her toweling had shifted during the night and she’d bled onto the back of her gown. Flavia took it in stride and put the gown aside to wash in cold water, but Danaë flushed at the thought of the gossipy castle maids seeing the stain on her sheets. Everyone will know I’m not with child yet. I know it shouldn’t bother me, but it does.
    Bathed and dressed, she made her way down to the smaller dining hall that she and Matthias had started using for breakfast. High windows let in golden beams of sunlight and made the room far more cheerful than the gloomy great hall, and it gave them a quiet moment of time in which to start the day.
    Except that Matthias wasn’t sitting at his usual space. Danaë took her chair and waved one of the waiting serving maids over. “Has the king come down for breakfast yet?”
    The maid shook her head. “I haven’t seen him yet, your majesty. I can have someone speak with his valet if you like.”
    Danaë frowned. Perhaps Matthias’s headache had kept him up longer than even he expected. “Please do. If the king is still abed, have his valet ask if I should come and visit him.”
    “At once, your majesty.” The maid curtseyed and bustled off. Another came up with a