as you do, he wouldnt haverun away. He wouldnt have gone into hiding. Mithre looked oncemore at his son. We would now still be back home, awaiting thebirth of this babe amidst our family and in peace.Hecaught his breath when Eiren straightened and looked across the roomat him. The physician gestured to him to approach.Whenhe came to Lassens bedside, Eiren said, His womb is sound andthe babe is strong and active. But I sense a deeper trauma that isresponsible for his failure to regain consciousness. He glanced atRohyr and Mithre was amazed to see the king actually flinch beforehis cousins reproachful regard. Eiren briefly returned hisattention to Mithre. Meanwhile you may wash him and change thebeddings. Again, he looked at Rohyr. A word with you, Cousin.Rohyrgazed long at Lassen, taking heart that the sickly pallor was gonefrom his flesh. He bent and gently kissed the bruise on Lassenscheek then followed Eiren out of the room. On their way out, Eirenasked Jareth and Yandro to join them.Theymoved to the sitting room down the hallway. Eiren addressed Yandro assoon as the latter closed the door.Youspoke with Lassens father. What did you talk about?Herevealed Idana-tyarsreasons for having the Ardans child and running away, Yandroreplied.Rohyrblew out his breath. Tell us.Yandrorecounted his conversation with Mithre. When he finished speaking,Rohyr abruptly turned away and walked to the hearth. He stared downat its blackened floor, the stiffness of his stance betraying justhow close he was to breaking.Jarethreached out with his mind to comfort him but came up against fiercelydefensive shields. Not about to force himself past those shields, heglanced at Yandro and saw his aide wince in reaction to Rohyrssorrow and self-recrimination. He quickly strode to Rohyr and tightlyembraced him. Rohyr curled his arms around him and buried his face inJareths shoulder.Yandroturned his attention elsewhere, uncomfortable at seeing his kingweep. Beside him, Eiren sighed. He went to Rohyr and placed anapologetic hand on his shoulder.Imsorry, Roh, he murmured.Rohyrshuddered as he fought to control himself. At length, he drew out ofJareths embrace and faced them, his eyes still bright and slightlyreddened, but his demeanor calm and decisive once more. He looked atEiren.Youimplied that my confrontation with Lassen is what hinders him fromwaking up. Eiren nodded. Explain.Lassenhas been under an inordinate amount of stress these past months,Eiren said. Doing what he thought would be best for you, fearfulof discovery and the repercussions, lying, hiding, going into exile,struggling to carry this child to term, trying to cope with a lifefar removed from anything hed ever imagined... He grimaced.And then you accused him of faithlessness.Eirengestured in the general direction of Lassens sickroom. I thinklosing your trust proved too much for him to bear. And so to numb hispain, hes retreated inward. Its akin to locking ones self upto keep trouble at bay. I tried to reach him; tried to tell him thatit was safe to awaken. That there was naught to fear or grieve. Buthe blocked me and wouldnt listen.Guilt-stricken,Rohyr looked away but Jareth frowned and said, How can he possiblyblock you? He isnt a True Blood.Whyis Yandro an empath? Eiren pointed out.