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As always, Jewel&039;s visions never told of her own danger

Jewel and Grace had sneaked atop the palace parapet, hoping to catch a glance of the battle Jewel paced Her nerves refused to settle, and she couldn&039;t rid herself of a sense of apprehension Was Gray all right? Had he been hurt?

She couldn&039;t see the battle in her ifts if she could not help the ers rubbed the arth froain that they will return to us unharreat as Jewel&039;s "This is what I hatea warrior&039;s wife I love Darius with hts these wars and I alave her a half s and healthy life As will you and your children"

Grace studied her for several h of relief "I&039;d rather diehappen to hihed A gentle night breeze danced around her, tangling her robe and hair "But I am destined to lose him, it seems"

"Why? There&039;s no reason for two people in love not to stay together"

"I would die on the surface, and if he stays here, hu our land in an attempt to steal or destroy me"

"Okay, that&039;s a reason I&039; before Jewel continued her pacing "Distract me Tell me of you and Darius"

"My favorite subject," she said with a grin "I rehed "I call it dating, he calls it duty"

So anyone De her flowers and ask her on dates, no

"He was determined to kill me, you see"

"What!" Jewel stoppedwoman "He wanted to kill you?" She paused "I don&039;t knohy I&039;m surprised That is Darius for you, a man who does his duty no matter the circumstances"

"Darius even had his sword raised, ready to strike I had just passed through the portal, and it was his sworn duty to silence me permanently But he didn&039;t He couldn&039;t He helped me find my brother instead, and in return, I like to think I&039;ve filled his life with ehtfully "Gray needs that, too, I think He&039;s got that sa to do?" Jewel asked dejectedly Neither of them had an answer

"Do you think the battle is over yet," Grace asked, her hands wringing together "I won&039;t be able to rest until Darius is in ain"

Jewel closed her eyes and once more tried to send her consciousness outside of the palace and through the forest Just as the scene was at last for watched flittered over her A er rocked her

"Grace," she said, looking to her new friend "We&039;re in trouble"

Grace paled,her freckles all the more obvious "What do you mean?"

"There are deon one were able to breach the walls" Jewel glanced around for a weapon, intent on using anything, just as Gray had showed her She found a long stick and several fat rocks She handed the rocks to Grace, her hands shaky "They cannot die without their throats cut, but we can try to hold theo down and warn - "

It was too late

Six de furiously Their claere elongated and their teeth glistening with saliva Without their queen around, they would not be concerned with keeping Jewel safe and unharleamed in their eyes

Grace raced beside her, deter away her fear "You take the three on the right, and I&039;ll take the other three"

"Deal"

All at once, Jewel heard their thoughts I&039;ve wanted a taste of Duna time The human smells sweet, and so does the babe in her belly

"You&039;re pregnant," Jewel told her "Just stay behind asped and her hand went to her belly She hadn&039;t known she was pregnant, Jewel realized, not wanting the woht now "Stay behind me," she repeated