The council meeting was set for the next day.

The moon was high when Ivy finally spoke.

“I’ll do it tomorrow,” she said quietly.

Damien lifted his head from her shoulder. “Do what?”

She didn’t look at him, she let the silence stress until he realize what she meant. Her eyes were fixed on the dark ceiling. “I’ll go before the council meeting starts. I’ll end the pregnancy. That way, there will be no argument. No ultimatum.”

His body went still.

For a long moment, he said ...