Chapter 180

In a fit of anger Nu-reeh slapped Damien.

“Why did you not pick better keepers?” she demanded as he stumbled back. “They kept it a secret!”

The blow had surprised Damien, but he’d received worse. My family prepared for a beating, still not understanding what brought on this fit of rage. They’d take whatever they had to in order to keep Nu-reeh’s wrath from me.

The pain knotted across my lower back and I groaned leaning onto the wall. I did the breathing Rose had taught me to try to maintain composure. Now was not the time for weakness.

The sound got Nu-reeh’s attention. She ordered my men to bring certain things from inside and put them in bags. While my men worked she stood glaring at me.

Christof knelt at my side and stroked my back.

“What is happening?” he whispered into my ear when Nu-reeh’s attention turned back to Damien as my men returned to her with the requested items.

“It’s coming soon,” I told him. “The cramping pushes the baby ou