"Slow down, Helios."
Circe lets out a quiet sigh as she cups her son's face, her fingers gently brushing away the tears gathering in his eyes.
"Explain it to me again. You were practically babbling."
Helios takes a shaky breath.
"I think Ezra's pregnant again."
For the first time since he entered the room, Circe's composed expression falters.
"Why do you think so?"
"The shadows." Helios lowers his voice until it's barely above a whisper. "They told me they had to use their pheromones to force Ezra into heat so they could subdue him."
He squeezes his eyes shut.
"But when I saw him in the forest…"
His voice cracks.
"He was fine."
Circe watches him quietly.
"So you think…"
"Someone helped him," Helios whispers, tears slipping down his face. "Again."
"And because of that, you think he's pregnant?"
Helios nods.
"Ezra came to see me yesterday."
"That sounds like good news."
"He apologized to me."
Circe smiles faintly.
"And then?"
