Royal Heirs Required (The Sherdana 1)

While Noelle and her assistant made little adjustments to the dresses, Olivia distracted Bethany and Karina by explaining to them what their role in the wedding would be. They seemed to understand the seriousness of the event because they listened to her with wide eyes and their full attention.

An hour later, Noelle had left, taking the dresses with her, and Olivia was reading the twins a story when the door to her suite swung open without warning. Startled, Olivia swiveled on the sofa to face a very unhappy Gabriel.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s time for the twins to head back to the nursery,” he answered, his voice level and cool as he gestured to the nanny who jumped to her feet. “I think it’s time for their lunch.”

Olivia set the book aside and got to her feet to urge the girls over to their father for a kiss and a hug. His manner softened for them, but a minute later they were gone and Gabriel was back to scowling.

“Is it true?” he demanded.

Her stomach twisted at the hard suspicion in his eyes. “Is what true?”

“That you’re infertile?”

Of all the things that had raced through her mind, this was the last thing she’d expected. How had he found out? Libby was the only person who knew about her condition and Olivia knew her private secretary would never betray her.

“Where did you hear that?”

He stalked across the room toward the television and snatched up the remote. Dread filled Olivia as he cued the power button. She’d not imagined he could look so angry.

“Sources inside the palace confirm that the future princess has little to no chance of producing an heir for Sherdana’s throne. With her medical condition you have to wonder what the prince was thinking to propose.”

The words blaring from the television were so horrifying that Olivia would have crumpled to the floor at his feet if Gabriel hadn’t seized her arms in a bruising grip.

His gaze bore into hers. “Tell me the truth.”

“I had a condition,” she began, and at his dark scowl, rushed on. “But I had surgery to correct the problem. I should be able to get pregnant.” But after these past few days and the return of her old symptoms, her confidence had waned.

“Can you or can’t you?”

“Six months ago when

you proposed I thought I could. At this moment I honestly don’t know.”

“You should have told me.” He set her free as if the touch of her was distasteful. “Did you think you could keep this a secret forever?”

“I really didn’t think it was going to be a problem.” Olivia clasped her hands to keep them from shaking and looked up at Sherdana’s crown prince, who stood there like a granite statue. Little about his current demeanor encouraged hope that he might listen to her with a rational ear. “I would never have agreed to marry you if I believed I couldn’t have children.”

“But your doctor warned you the chances were slim.” It wasn’t a question.

She didn’t ask him how he knew that. The reporter on the television was divulging her detailed medical records. Her privacy had been violated and yet she was being treated like a villain.

“He never said slim. He said there was a good chance I could get pregnant, but to do so I had to stop taking the pill and he wasn’t sure how my body would react since I’ve been on it almost ten years.”

“But you were a virgin. I can attest to that. Why were you on birth control?”

“I had severe cramps and bleeding. It helps control those problems.” Olivia wrapped her arms around herself. “I quit taking the birth control before I left London. I wanted to get pregnant as soon as possible. Provide you with your heir. I knew that’s what you all would expect.”

Gabriel’s expression didn’t change, but his lips tightened briefly. “We expected you to be truthful, as well.”

She flinched at his sharp words.

“I intended to tell you tonight. I haven’t felt right these last few days and thought I needed to discuss the situation with you.”

“I need an heir, Olivia.” His harsh tone softened.

“I understand completely.” Their marriage was an arrangement, an exchange of her hand in marriage for her father’s business. But she was also expected to be a mother. “I never would’ve agreed to marry you knowing I might not be able to have children.”