Lissa threw up in the bathroom once again and sighed. Christian handed her a glass of water and hugged her. "I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but remember what you'll get in a little over nine months."

Lissa smiled softly. "Thanks for keeping this a secret. I don't want Rose to feel more sad than she already is. Her child was taken from her and here I am experiencing the miracle of a beautiful baby growing inside me."

Christian nodded. "I understand. But at least she gets to see Stasia now that we have Sydney on our side."

Lissa shuddered. "We need to take down Azrian as soon as possible. I know what he's like and I can sense that this won't end well for Rose and Stasia if we let him keep Stasia past her 4th birthday."

"How can you tell?" Rose's hoarse voice whispered.

Lissa turned and saw Rose leaning against the door frame. Her eyes were dull and lifeless, and looked sunken into her hollowed out face. Christian stared and then asked, "Rose, when did you last eat?"

"I don't remember," she muttered. "Now tell me what will happen to Stasia if we can't rescue her by that time!"

Christian whispered to Lissa, "Get Rose to her bedroom and talk to her while I get some food for her to eat." He turned and left the room.

Lissa took Rose's arm and pulled her into a hug. "Let's go to your room and talk. You need to get some sleep. I'll tell you about Stasia's situation as we walk." Rose nodded and leaned against Lissa. "Stasia knows that you and Dimtri are her real parents. Once she gets to the age where Azrian knows she's making sense, he'll find out that his brainwashing didn't work. He gets angry when his plans don't work and his anger always turns bloody. He will most likely kill Stasia in the most painful way he knows. From what I've seen, he'll torture her first."

Rose quivered and her body shook with dry sobs. "NO! We can't let that happen. We have to stop him."

Lissa opened the door to Rose and Dimtri's room. "Rose, I promise you that we will get her back. Even if I have to kill him myself, or keep whoever he sends after Stasia from returning to their body, I will do it. This is unfair for you, Stasia, and everyone else involved in this situation."

Rose collapsed on the bed and Lissa tucked her in. "Wait," Rose commanded weakly. She slipped out of bed and knelt down to Lissa's stomach. She kissed Lissa's stomach and smiled. "I bestow upon this beautiful mother and her equally beautiful child my blessing. They will have no complications during the pregnancy and no harm will come to them as long as I am their queen." Rose got back into bed and looked at Lissa. "Why didn't you tell me? I should have been there for you too. Instead I was moping around. This gives me a reason to fight, Lissa. Don't keep things that are important to you bottled up because I care and I want to be there to support you."