Chapter 14 Decisions
Chapter Fourteen
Decisions
Ellis
The days seemed to bleed together. Rivka slipped further into depression each day.
She would be the queen when it was required of her, but she spent more and more time alone.
She was losing weight and her skin was pale from the lack of sun, as she no longer visited the market or the back gardens.
She only ate when Ellis forced her, choosing to sleep most of her days away.
He stepped in to fill her roles, taking on a majority of her minor tasks but still, her absence was beginning to draw attention.
Her parents were starting to notice the changes in her.
Ellis could see the questions in Sophiana’s eyes whenever she asked about Rivka’s whereabouts.
He knew what Sophiana was hoping, that Rivka was expecting.
Rivka only knew her pain, a shell of who she had been with Alex.
Ellis had chosen to keep the secret, well Tristan’s secret really, in the event no pregnancy occurred.
He had been taking note of her recent ailments.
She had been ill a lot lately, plagued with fatigue and headaches.
She had thrown up three times that week alone.
I am certain she is with child. How am I to tell her what is happening with her own body? How will we keep this secret?
Ellis found Rivka, curled up in their bed, a book in her hands.
It was the book she had gifted Alex, The Bound Queen.
She must have snuck into her bedchamber to take it.
It wasn’t like Alex had been there to use it herself.
Lowering himself down on the bed, he sat beside her, taking her hand in his, thankful that he had dismissed Captain Wright from his post outside her door before entering their bedchamber.
“My love, we need to talk.”
Rivka glanced in his direction before returning her gaze to her book, not bothering to answer him.
“Rivka. We need to talk. Now.” He took the book out of her hand, forcing her to look at him. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, but you need to hear me out. I’ve been watching you. You aren’t eating, you are constantly ill, and you're exhausted all the time.”
“El, I’m alright. I just miss her.”
“No. You’re not.”
Ellis looked deep into her eyes. He could see her pain and exhaustion. He threaded his fingers with hers, bringing her hand to his lips. “You know I love you, right?”
“Yes. Of course I do.”
“We need to talk about your health, my love. You aren’t well and haven’t been for a while.” Ellis reached out with his unclasped hand and laid it flat, palm against her middle. He gently lifted his head to look at her, a slight raise to his eyebrows, the question plain.
Rivka scoffed. “That’s ridiculous, El. .You have to lie with a man in order for that to happen. I obviously haven’t been.”
“Haven’t you though?” he asked.
“No! I haven’t been with anyone in months!”
“Yes, two months to be precise.”
Rivka’s eyes grew wide as his words took hold. “But… it can’t be.”
“When was your last bleed, Riv?”
“I’m not sure, but surely I’ve had it.” Rivka started, but the words died on her lips. “I can’t be. El, what am I going to do?” Rivka was clearly starting to panic now as the gravity of the situation began setting in. Ellis brushed a tendril of hair away from her face.
“My entire life I have thrilled at being right, knowing the truth above all else and reveling in holding knowledge that others do not have. But Rivka, my darling, this is the one time I wish to be wrong. I kept my suspicions to myself, hoping that it wasn't true. When I overheard the conversation between Vivian and her son, she implied that she hoped a child would come of that night, and that if it failed, they would try again. I suspect they used a fertility spell of some sort to ensure that you fell pregnant.” Rivka began trembling and though he thought it impossible, she grew paler. Ellis had known this wouldn’t be easy for her to accept but watching her come unraveled at the idea of being with child, his child, was devastating.
Ellis ran his hands up and down Rivka’s arms, trying to lend her some of his warmth.
Her voice was barely audible when she spoke.
“If that is true, then her evilness knows no bounds. I have always wanted a child, but never like this. Never with him.” Blanching, Rivka’s eyes flew to Ellis’. “I hate to say it but we have to tell him. He has a right to know.”
Ellis couldn’t hide the look of anguish that slid across his face. “We can’t.”
“This is his child,” Rivka answered quietly. “I know this hurts you too, and I’m sorry.”
“We can’t tell anyone, Riv. No one can know.
” The promise that Ellis forced Tristan to make flashed through his mind, but she didn't need to know about that just yet. “It’s not safe. Your very life is in danger.” He tapped his fingers on her stomach.
“Your child’s life is in danger. She used magic on you, Riv.
We don’t know the extent of what she is capable of and she obviously isn’t above harming her own son to do it, let alone a rival queen. ”
“You’re right, but what do we do? Where do we go from here? I will only be able to hide this for a few more months before my belly rounds.” The silence stretched between them, both lost in thought.
“Can’t we just say it is yours? Or just let the people assume?” she desperately pleaded.
Ellis lifted their joined hands in front of her face, his dark thumb rubbing gently along her ivory skin.
As much as I would love to think that might work, the reality is that this child will clearly look nothing like me.
I obviously do not share Tristan’s green eyes and light hair.
We just can’t, Riv. Vivian will come for you.
She will not rest until she has your heir and has no qualms about taking your life in the process. We have no choice but to run.”
“I can’t leave my people, El! What will happen if we leave?” Rivka cried.
“What will happen if we stay? The people love Sophiana; she will rule in your stead. It will only be until we get the proof we need to bring Vivian to her knees, and more information on the magic that she is able to wield, so that we can better protect ourselves and Varon.”
Rivka sighed, knowing that he was right. “We need to tell my father. He will know how to help us.”
“That’s fair. His knowledge of the realm is vast, and he has a loyal following. However, your mother must never know. We do not know how she will react but knowing how she is, she will likely go to war with Vivian over this and we are not prepared for
that.”
“You are right. I hate lying to her, but she will not stand for the threat that Vivian poses.” She paused, “And what of Alex?” The words fell from her lips, barely audible.
“No, she mustn’t know either. She would not take this news well. Her refusal to hear us out proves that.”
Devastation rushed over Rivka’s face. “But how will we find information on a magic that shouldn’t exist?”
“I am hoping that your father will be able to help guide us with that. I have been checking the library and while I have found a few tomes on it, they haven’t been the most helpful.”
“Alright then. We will speak with my father tomorrow and see what his thoughts are.” Riv said, wiping at a stray tear. They fell into silence, neither really knowing what else to say.
They would be forced to leave their home, their people, their families.
Rivka placed her hand low on her stomach, covering Ellis’ as fresh tears pooled in her eyes.
This baby never asked to be born, but it was coming all the same.
He knew how devastated Rivka was that Alex would never get to be a part of this, at least not like they had planned.
Gathering her in his arms, Ellis just held her, both of them lost in their own grief.