CHAPTER 28: BEAR AN HEIR

Four years later...

Essex and Tavi

With all the pressures of the kingdom to bear an heir, the young couple came up empty. They tried for years on end with no luck. The court physician ruled it to be the stress of rescuing the South, East, and West out of turmoil is what caused Tavi to become barren. After hearing the news, Essex refused to believe the two of them could not conceive. The two of them decided to allow the cards to fall where they may. Most of their focus was on preventing another unnecessary war among the kingdoms. It didn't stop the prying elders and allies pushing their beliefs on them. Some even sent whispers of Essex and Tavi's Union being cursed, but the packs love them both. No one would dare challenge them for the throne, or so we thought. With their allies in place, the villages paid less taxes and worked the land so there was enough produce for the masses. Farming the lands proved plentiful and affordable for local farmers. Tavi distracted herself with trying to