Page 17 of Royal Surrogate 2

There’s a loud squeal in the air.

“It’s just an owl,” I say. But as I say the words, my stomach twists.Just an owl. My little owl.

Xavier shakes his head. “That wasn’t an owl.” He runs toward the river, and I sprint after him.

I don’t even think when I see her on the bank of the river lying there, broken—I jump.

There’s so much blood.

My little owl.

CHAPTER 15

Renae

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Whatever that beeping is, it’s annoying.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

I groan, and try to tell it to shut up, but my mouth doesn’t want to make words. My head throbs, and it feels like I’m stuck in a fog.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

There’s someone beside me, holding my hand. Their fingers are warm, comforting. They give me a squeeze.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

There’s breath on my ear, a soft voice. “I’m here, Renae.”

I know that voice, but it takes me a minute to place it. Caspar. My Montovian lord. The father of the baby inside me. My husband, for a little while, anyway.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

My brain is still fuzzy, but it’s trying to think. To remember. I’m not sure where I am, but it doesn’t seem familiar. And why won’t that beep stop?

Beep.

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