Page 102 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"F-Forest, you're-"

"Pregnant?" she questions. Looking down at her bump, a soft smile spans across her lips. "Your niece is in there," she beams.

Baffled, the rapid heartbeat of the little fetus disorientates my thinking.

"How long have you known?" I question.

Looking up, she grabs my hands, placing them on her bump.

"Since conception," she whispers. "There was no way for me to protect all of you and her standing against Elyon. I had to find a way to gain his trust. Find a way to bring it all down from the inside."

Feeling a kick against my hand, I smile. The energy within her womb is strong and valiant.

"Mason thinks there is only one way to end Elyon," I whisper. "He is not willing to entertain the idea of holding Elyon captive until we can figure something out-"

"Neither am I," Forest says sternly. "No world with Elyon in it is one I want mine and Xavier's child to live in."

"Forest, that puts your life on the line-"

"My life, after she is free from my womb, is insignificant-"

"Are you listening to yourself?!" I exclaim, dragging my hands away from her belly. "The only way we know how to truly kill Elyon is with a blade crafted from the metals of the waters he derived from and your life-"

"Do not speak to me like I do not know that to be reality. I have spent far too long running from responsibilities that were made mine by the Lockland family long ago. This is my birth right, Kai. I am doing all that I can to keep the people that I love safe before I no longer have the ability to do so-"

"And what does Xavier think of your radical thinking?" I question. Her expression drops at the mention of Xavier.

"He doesn't know," she whispers. "And he never will. The only thing he should be focusing on is our girl. Not me. I rest easy knowing she will have Xavier and you-"

"And what about us?" I cry. "What about me and Xavier? You think we can function without you?"

"You'll find a way," she says sternly. "You always find a way, Kai."

"No." I hiss. "I won't allow you to do something stupid."

Moving toward the door, she Winnows in front of me, stopping me before I can try and look for Xavier.

"Elyon does not know about her. If you go out there and start a ruckus, it will raise questions from him."

"How could he not know?" I question with confusion.

"He has his suspicions. It's becoming harder to hide her from him. A Marked pregnancy may have a longer span, but, inevitably, the signs will begin to show."

"How long before she is due?" I question with caution.

"I can feel her, Kai. I can feel her kicks and hear her thoughts," Forest whispers. "She's a fighter, just like her parents...Which is why I know she will survive what we must do."

Speaking like a crazed woman, I can hardly process what is suggesting.

"What must we do?" I scoff. "Forest, what the hell does that mean-"

"You're going to pull her from my womb," Forest snaps. "Once I deem it safe, she will be taken from my womb before my water breaks. Then, and only then, I will handle Elyon the only way I know how-"

"But Mason-"

"Mason knows," Forest yells. "Mason knows what must be done. He is no fool, Kaiden," Forest mutters. "Mason is the only one willing to do what is necessary."

"I'm sorry, I refuse to allow you to put your or her life in danger just to keep us safe."

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