Korac swept majestically into the castle throne hall. Pissed. "Celindria burned an entire garrison of our men to seek me out. She demands an audience with you." No titles. No build up.

I growled. "As if I would speak to her--"

"She is with child, your majesty."

I choked on my words as the blood drained from my body.

My General nodded his understanding, hands on hips. Beyond anger. "Sire, she claims it to be yours." He let the accusation hang in the air.

I offered no denial. How could I? The gravity of the situation demanded I apologize to my closest friend for my err in judgment. For keeping it a secret.

At my silence, his eyes flickered with disappointment. "Ah..." So much disdain in one syllable. "In that case, she wishes to meet you 'where the monster fell.' In two Earth hours."

Korac turned and left without waiting for dismissal.

"General."

He stopped but didn't turn around.

I wanted to explain myself. To confess the truth of the weapon and my desperate plight. To tell someone. Finally. But... after mother, brother, and now the woman I loved. Everyone I touched toxicated. Against me.

"Dismissed, soldier."

Korac stiffened before exiting.

Another regret.

Two hours later, I waited in the tower where Xelan killed our father. I hated the decaying carcass of the Spire. The very air smelled poisoned with hatred. It suited her.

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"You come to your master's call better than a domesticated beast."

Infuriated, I turned to find Celindria climbing into the window. As far as I knew, none of the Progeny developed wings. Why would I bother to ask if she could fly? She'd lie anyway. Despite her hateful words, I couldn't muster an equally venomous response at the sight of her.

Beautiful as always. Pregnancy suited her. The consequence of our coupling swelled against her shift. She caught me staring and rubbed the bump.

"She is yours. I like to produce daughters." Celindria's voice rasped as if recently strangled. It matched the depraved look in her eyes. "Do you want to feel?"

I squeezed my eyes shut to fight back the emotional torrent. With the storm momentarily abated, I opened them again.

She smiled at me.

"Celindria, rule Earth and Cinder me. We can raise our daughter together. We could lead together." I held out a hand, imploring.

The smile melted from her lips. Her eyes shifted in a flash. Too fast to catch the Atramentous. Ice filled them instead. "Conceived in rape. Cultivated by a monster. A history of violence so erratic that you almost killed your own brother. What kind of father would you make?"

I winced and dropped my hand. The consideration occurred to me on few occasions. But I'd try. Elden, would I try to be a better father than my own. "Please..."

Even as I pleaded, Celindria's belly diminished.

"No... No, please!"

She negated the pregnancy. The First Progeny's nacre healed and restored her form faster than a Tritan. Her body consumed my unborn daughter before my eyes.

The abyss beckoned. And I let it have me. I fell to my knees with my fists clenched. I howled my fury. Elden, did I roar against the complete futility of which I lived my life to even now.

Lightning struck the sky. Thunder rumbled. A rain drop fell. Then another.

I buried my face in my hands and found it awash with tears. I'd lost too much. Too much outside of my control. And it culminated into one tiny woman. My pain, my anger, my madness. Would I find relief in the Weapon? Should I let go?

No.

Celindria knew of me. Of what I was. She wanted me to self-destruct. To destroy Cinder would give her unfettered control of Earth.

We knew Devis' device was ready. Our people already readjusted to life on our homeworld. They weren't happy about it, and I certainly didn't fault them for it.

I stared at the hard basalt tiles, entombing father's ashes.

Celindria stood over me with indignation. "You soft creature." Disgusted, she swept away and jumped out the window.

My heart hardened into stone. Safer that way. The people I loved often compared me to my father. This was the last time they were wrong. I welcomed the monster born in me.

It never rained on Cinder again.