Bad Blood

Tana sat in her tower bed chamber watching the horizon wondering if Ephraim was watching the same sunset. The child growing inside her kicked and she gently rubbed her belly in response.

Her royal crown lay on the bedside drawer. She looked at it with disgust because she never felt comfortable wearing it.

I'll always be known as the Whore Queen to his people.

Her long blue hair was down out of laziness. She rarely felt like making the effort anymore. Pregnancy left her weak and sick most of the time. Ephraim had gone to Grado like many of the soldiers to help with the damage caused by the great earthquake. It was tragic to think that the war they all fought in was caused because Prince Lyon desired to prevent this very tragedy.

The door opened and Eirika came in with a few washerwomen. One of them triggered sorrow and hurt for Tana. She was obviously a citizen of Grado because she had darker skin with light blonde hair. She reminded Tana of Cormag. That was something she wanted to forget.

"Are you ready for your bath?"

Tana nodded and slowly hopped down from the window sill.

The warm water felt wonderful on her cold tired body. The women were gentle as they scrubbed her skin. It was one of the best things about being royalty. Tana insisted that she do her hair herself this time. One of her great prides used to be her hair.

After her bath she slipped into a cotton robe and lay in bed with Eirika. She would get lonely at night and Eirika would always talk with her.

"Tana?"

"Yes Eirika?"

"Are you scared?"

It was a good question. Tana knew why she asked it. Life was crazy for the two of them and the future was uncertain.

"Very scared. I'm scared that my child won't get to see its father. I'm afraid of what will happen if Ephraim doesn't come back. Who will take the throne, because Renais sure won't accept me? I'm afraid the child will be a girl and L'Arachel's son will take the throne."

Eirika grabbed Tana's hand. "I have the same fears, but I'll do everything I can to protect you if they come true."

Tana was shaking violently. "I have nightmares, Eirika, terrible nightmares. Sometimes I don't know if I'm asleep or awake. They seem so real."

Tana felt like her legs were getting wet all the sudden so she wiped whatever it was with her hand. It came back bloody. The once white sheets were stained red and panic took a hold of Tana.

"Eirika!" She gasped as she pulled the sheets away.

The room spun as she saw the amount of blood already pooling between her legs. She clutched her stomach and prayed aloud. "Please let my child be ok." She heard Eirika's panicked voice screaming for someone to help before she blacked out.