Olivia shook her head firmly. "No."
Serene frowned. "Olivia."
"I am not leaving you here."
"It is an order!" Serene's voice suddenly carried the fierce authority of a mother rather than a fragile captive. "An order from your mother. If you still consider me your mother, then obey me."
Olivia remained silent for a long beat. Then, she slowly reached down, her freed hand coming to rest protectively over her lower abdomen beneath her cloak.
The gesture was subtle, but Serene noticed it instantly. Her eyes widened in absolute shock.
Olivia looked back into her mother's eyes, her voice trembling with restrained emotion. "I do consider you my mother... And that is precisely why I cannot leave you behind. My child deserves to have a grandmother."
The words struck Serene harder than any blow Roland had ever dealt her. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Olivia offered a faint, tear-stained smile. "You already knew about my child, didn't you?"
