"Mm... mm... no..."

The soft, broken whimpers filled the room.

Kael, who had been in a deep sleep, felt his muscles tense. He didn't wake up instantly, but as the sounds shifted from whimpers to silent, shaking cries, his eyes snapped open.

He pulled back slightly, lifting his head to look down at Morvienne. Her face was twisted in pain, her brows furrowed, and her eyes were closed tight, though tears were already leaking from the corners as she trembled in his arms.

"Morvienne?" he whispered, his voice thick with sleep and sudden alarm. "Morvienne!"

He immediately pulled her back against him, wrapping his large arms around her in a...