Theo couldn't help but scoff. "The weather there will suit her well. She has always been cold-hearted."
The expression that crossed Fleur's face made him wonder whether he had spoken out of turn and he placed his hand at the small of her back.
"What is wrong?" he asked. "You can't possibly be thinking of going to the ceremony."
Fleur shook her head and screwed up the letter before handing it back to him.
Theo absentmindedly handed it to Maximus who waited with his hand out. Then he turned his full attention back to his queen.
"What is the matter?"
"Nothing." She shook her head and turned to look at him. "You don't need to look so frightened. I am glad that Lady Delilah found some happiness because we have ours."
There seemed to be more meaning in her words than Theo could understand and he lifted his eyebrows, looking down at her for further explanation.
Fleur grinned back at him and grabbed hold of his free hand to place his palm against her stomach.
"We have our happiness," she repeated, clutching his hand in both of hers. For the first time Theo noticed the small swell beneath her dress. It was so small that it could not be seen by the naked eye but as soon as his hand touched her, he knew.
"You're with child?" he gasped in disbelief.
Fleur's face spread into the most brilliant smile he had ever seen. He had never wanted to kiss her more than he did in that moment.
He stopped himself when he saw her face fall.
"What is wrong?" he asked, unsure as to what could possibly be wrong.
"You are pleased, aren't you?" she asked, her hand tightening on his. "I mean…"
Theo didn't need to hear what she had been about to say. He already knew what she was thinking. He could see it written all over her face.
"Fleur, you have no need to worry," he assured her with a shake of his head. "You may not have royal blood but both you and our child are royalty and anyone who tries to say differently won't be able to speak for very long."
***
6 months later
"Theo, please, sit down," his mother urged him. Though he was now full grown, she was just as beautiful as ever, barely having aged from the early days of her reign as queen on the mainland. It had been many years since she had returned to the Summer Isle, having been born there to one of the isle's richest families but upon hearing news of her first grandchild she had sent word that she would be visiting for the birth.
She had appeared from the birthing room only a few minutes earlier to find Theo pacing up and down the hallway.
"We have been trying to calm him but he isn't listening to us," Blake said, appearing in the doorway of the sitting room that had been opened up for him and his brothers to wait in.
"It's been hours," Theo snapped and took a step toward the room where he could hear Fleur screaming. "Let me in there."
A hand landed on his shoulder even as his mother began to shake her head.
"Trust me, brother, no man needs to see what is going on in there," Ember commented, tugging slightly on Theo's shoulder to pull him away from the door.
Queen Lyra gave her second eldest son a sharp warning glare before she turned back to Theo and took hold of both his hands. "These things take time. Fleur is doing very well and I promise you we are taking very good care of her."
Another sudden shrill scream erupted from the room. It was so filled with pain that nothing could have stopped Theo from battering down the door if he had to.
He shoved his brother away but his mother at least had the good sense to dodge out of the way.
Silence fell upon the room just as he barged inside to find multiple midwives perched on the edge of the bed.
For a moment Theo couldn't see Fleur and the silence was deafening. Fear gripped his heart like an icy claw and he held his breath, utterly unable to move.