Author's Note: Yay! The upload issue is fixed!

Almost 100 reviews! :D Ahh! :D I wanted to let the suspense build for a bit, but I'm too excited about this chapter to wait. I hope everyone likes this one.

"Here it is!" Dewey said and held up a book.

Milori tensed, and she was ready for Dewey to say it was a fatal disease or poison.

"The queen, upon finding a mate, will shortly thereafter undergo physiological changes. First is a fever as the body undergoes the change, which is followed by aching in the back and belly. Sometimes mood swings occur, and then finally the wings become more pliable for easier mating. For some queens, the toll may be hard on her and require several days of bedrest; for others, it is mild. Changes occur once and last the rest of her life," he read.

"But, why? How long is she going to feel unwell?" Milori frowned, his heart pounding under Clarion's hand.

Dewey looked up with a smile. "It doesn't say how long the change takes. She's changing so she can become pregnant."

"Pregnant? Fairies can't get pregnant," Milori frowned. "Dewey, do be serious. This isn't funny."

"I am."

She pulled back and looked from one to the other. "What's pregnant?"

Milori looked shocked.

"You've heard of babies?" Dewey asked her.

"Yes."

"Fairies don't have children, but the queen does to produce the next heir. Mating results in a baby taking root in your belly..." He brought over the book and showed her everything.

Her eyes almost popped out of her head. "And I have to birth something that big?! How many times?!"

"At least once. I don't know if more are possible. It says a queen can become pregnant until her final few years of life."

She looked up at Milori, mortified he had heard this when he had made it clear he wasn't interested in mating, at least any time soon.

Milori blinked, beginning to come out of the shock.

"Thank you, Dewey. I apologize for bothering you." Then she hurried outside and climbed on Mountain to make an escape before she had to hear Milori's excuses for not wanting to mate, certainly now when it would throw their lives completely upside down if she started breeding. When would they have time to rule their lands? She had heard stories about babies, and they sounded like way too much work. Besides, to have a living thing growing in her and then needing to push it out...it gave her the shivers.

"Clarion?!" Milori came running out after her.

She gave the command for Mountain to fly. He opened his wings, but Milori made a hooting sound and Mountain closed his wings.

Milori stopped beside Mountain and looked up at her. "Don't run," was all he said and held out his hand.

Shaking her head she replied, "Let's just forget this happened. I know you don't want a mating, and neither one of us could get anything done with a baby-"

He flew up and crushed his lips to hers, wrapping his arms around her. When he drew back, he sat beside her on Mountain and cradled her face in his hands. "I love you. I never said I didn't want to mate. I haven't brought it up because with this whole mess going on, I don't want to make any broken promises. And I love it that we can have a baby, sweetheart." His hand fell to stroke her stomach. "You will be so beautiful growing with our baby." He brushed a kiss over her lips again. "Granted I'll be a nervous wreck the whole time being you're the first one to ever be pregnant," he smiled, "but it will also be amazing. If it goes well, maybe more than one baby."

Clarion blinked. "You want to mate? And a baby?"

He looked at her like a startled deer. "Don't you? I mean, I understand if you want a warm fairy instead or not a baby. I'm sure there's a way to make someone else the heir-"

"Milori, stop talking."

He was silent and looked so uncertain.

She set a hand on his thigh and leaned in. "Why would I want anyone else?" she asked, her voice low and silky as she ran her finger down his cheek. "I would say the Lord of Winter is a decent catch," she teased.

His eyes fell to her lips when her pink tongue darted out to lick her lip. "Probably," he croaked.

"Besides, he doesn't treat me like a queen." She started to lean in for a kiss.

He frowned.

"But like an equal," she whispered.

He smiled, and she kissed him. When she broke the kiss he was breathing heavily.

"All this talk of babies is testing my chivalry at the moment," he said huskily and ran his hand down her back. His eyes rolled back. "Mercy, I can feel how soft your wings are through your clothes."

She smiled and pushed him to recline back against Mountain's head and then draped half her body over him. "Then I suggest you make good on your word," she purred.

He was putty in her hands as he wrapped his arms around her. "And what word is that?" he smiled, enjoying this playful side of her.

She leaned on her hands beside his shoulders and looked down at him. "Make me your mate and build a home on the border before I bring your baby into the world."

A tender smile spread over his lips. "You have my word whole-heartedly, sweetheart. As soon as we get this mess straightened out, I promise we'll start making plans."

"Milori?" she whispered.

"Hm, love?"

"I don't want to go back." She laid down her head on his chest.

He stroked her hair. "I wish you'd just arrest him for attempted murder, sweetheart. I don't want you to go back-it makes me nervous. And I'm afraid if he'll force you to mate. I don't know if that will bind you to him. Now you might get pregnant from it too," he sighed deeply and stared up at the sky. "I would do anything for you, love. I'll arrest him myself if you wish."

"No. We have to find out who is involved," she said sadly. "It makes me sick when he touches me. I pretend he's you," she whispered.

"Please, Clarion. There's no reason for this. It kills me to let you go each time, terrified if you're alright until the next time I see you," he said in a thick voice.

She sat up to see tears in his eyes.

"Stay with me. Let me handle him," he pleaded.

Shaking her head she said softly, "It's my battle right now, Milori. Let me fight it."

He swallowed hard and cupped her cheek. "But at what price?"