For a moment, Hector could only stare.
Then Andromache gripped his hand, and the pain in her face brought him back to himself.
"Hector…"
"I'm here."
"The child is coming."
He looked down at her, then toward the women who had hurried into the room. The realization struck him with a force no enemy spear ever had. His child was about to be born. Here, in Troy, while the city stood surrounded by its enemies.
"Tell me what to do," he said.
One of the women guided Andromache toward the bed. "Stay beside her. We will take care of the rest."
Hector nodded, though he hardly heard her. He followed Andromache and took her hand again as she lay down.
She looked at him through the pain.
"You look more frightened than I am."
"I am not frightened."
A weak smile touched her lips. "You have never been a convincing liar."
