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When I reach Raine’s hospital room, I shake the thoughts of Briony and her friendship from my head. I trust her. I have to. Because without her, I truly have no one.
I tap gently, but before I can push the door open, Maura appears.
Just the sight of her sends guilt and shame to the surface of my skin, enraging my cheeks until they blush furiously.
I sigh heavily and hang my head. Without making eye contact, I mutter, “Please. I just want to know how the baby is.”
There is a long pause, and then Maura steps into the hallway, closing the door behind her. “The baby lives, and so does Raine.”
Relief floods my chest. “And Pen?”
“He will live, also.”
I step back, bracing myself against the wall behind me. For the first time in days, I smile. A true, happy smile.
“Good news, isn’t it?” Maura says.
When I look up, she is watching me carefully.
“Of course,” I reply.
“It could have gone differently.”
“I know.”
Maura frowns, looking down at her hands. She has clasped them together in front of her stomach. When she looks back at me, her voice is a little softer. “Will you walk with me, Alana? I feel we need to talk.”
Even though I know it is ridiculous, my heart lightens at the sound of her words. Less venomous, more maternal. “I’d like that,” I tell her sincerely.
Side by side, quietly, we walk away from the healer’s wing. We stop at a large open archway that looks out onto the castle courtyard. Cool air drifts in, kissing our faces.
Maura places one hand on the stone frame and exhales heavily. She doesn’t turn to face me, just keeps looking out at the stillness in front of us. “I have an apology to make to you, Alana.”
Again, my heart flutters.
“I have handled this badly. From when you were young, I got it wrong.”
“Thank you,” I breathe. “Thank you for saying that.”
She does not react to my words, just carries on speaking. “I always knew what you were. I was there the night you were born, and I was there when the Lady of Luminael told your mother what she had done to you when you were still just a babe in the womb.”
“You knew?”
Maura nods slowly.
“You should have told me.”
“Yes,” she says. “I should have told you, and I should never have spoken up for you when the rest of the village wanted you to leave.”
I frown, trying to understand what she’s saying because it sounds like an apology, but it also sounds like she’s telling me she should have allowed me to be banished from the village.
This time, she does turn to me. “I should have explained it to you, and given you the chance to do the right thing.”
“The right thing?”
“I should have given you the chance to end your own life and spare us all the misery you have brought upon us.”
“Maura...” I step back, physically wounded by her words. “None of this is my fault.” I am stuttering, barely able to speak because I’m afraid I will start to cry.
