A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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"You do not love the king!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration. "Why do you stay in this place? What ties you to him?"

"He is my husband! I carry his child! It is my duty to stay and give him an heir." Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke, tears of bitter regret, of hopelessness. She had been born to be queen. It was in her blood. Her child would be the heir to the throne. How could she deny her own child itsdestiny ? But, oh, how could she stay with a man she despised when the one she loved with her whole heart and soul held her so tenderly, loved her so completely?

"Come away with me, Jocelyn," he begged."Now, tonight."

She looked up at him and knew she could refuse him no longer. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, now, tonight. Take me away from this place."

"Jocelyn!" His arms tightened around her shoulders. He kissed her long and lovingly,then gained his feet. "Come," he said, taking her by the hand. "We must hurry."

She rose to her feet,then doubled over as pain knifed through her. He was at her side in an instant. "What is it, my lady?" he asked anxiously.

She wrapped her arm over her swollen womb. "The babe," she gasped. "It comes."

He swept her into his arms and placed her gently on the bed. "Do not be afraid,"he said. "I will summon the midwife ."

"Do not leave me!" She grabbed for his hand, cried out as another pain caught her. "I will not be gone long, my lady." His hand caressed her cheek. "Be brave, my best beloved one."
"Hurry!"

Her hands clutched at the bedclothes, a sob rising in her throat as the pains grew worse. It was too early, she thought frantically, too early for the child to be born.

It seemed like hours passed before the door opened and the midwife hurried in, her brow furrowed with concern.

Dominic entered the room behind the midwife, only to be told, rather brusquely, that his presence was neitherwelcome nor desired. As the king's guard, he could not argue, could only do as he was told.

She cried out when he left the room, then fell back on the pillows, weak and afraid.And alone.So alone.

It was late the next night when she was finally delivered of the infant. A boy, who took only a few short breaths and then lay still in the midwife'sarms .

She knew, from the looks that passed between her ladies and the midwife, that she would soon be joining her child. She heard them whispering when they thought she was asleep. Something had gone terribly wrong. The bleeding would not stop.