Page 41 of Queen of Fire (Raven's Shadow 3)
He takes my hand, guides me into the hallway and out of view from Brittney and Valerie.
“And I think you’re right that I feel indebted to Valerie for no other reason than she bore my child, and then we lost that child.”
“It’s a terrible thing for anyone to go through, but you can’t let it cloud every decision you make. It doesn’t define you.”
“What would I do without you?”
“I shudder to think of it.”
He chuckles, then falls serious. “What were you saying to Valerie when I walked out?”
I look down, begin chewing on my lip.
“Sabine,” he sighs, “what did you say to her?”
“I told her she’s not fooling me.”
“Sabine.”
“I know, I know.” I scrub my hands over my face. “I shouldn’t have. I know.”
Astor sighs. “This isn’t working, is it? You, me, her, here.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I think we can confidently say that, at this point.”
He mutters under his breath and begins making the tea. “I think she might be getting sick, too.”
I bite my tongue because I’ve already embarrassed myself enough for the day. Also, her cough is bad, so I can’t say she’s faking that.
I come up behind him, wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”
Astor turns on the kettle, lays his arms over mine and threads his fingers through my hands.
“It’s okay. What did I expect?”
“I know. We were crazy to think this would work. Listen . . . I’ll go to a hotel.”
“No. We both will. I think we both need a night away. I’ll speak with Brittney and make sure she’s okay with staying more nights without a break, and I’ll also ensure Jackie comes by during the day. The doctor is supposed to be here tomorrow morning and Cillian is due back this afternoon. All bases will be covered and we can leave tomorrow afternoon.”
“Are you sure?”
He turns into my embrace and wraps his hands around me. “Absolutely. We need this.”
I nod because I absolutely agree. The situation we’re in right now is so screwed up that I’m afraid neither of us are thinking clearly.
We all know what happens when Astor isn’t thinking clearly.
Twenty-Nine
Astor
My stomach is in knots as I carry the tea down the hallway. Something’s got to give. I can’t please Valerie, Sabine, or my business in the way each deserves.
Cillian has taken a tremendous load off me, but I’m still involved in almost every decision. Valerie needs me full-time. Sabine needs me full-time—and I need her full-time. I’m getting the sick feeling that the other shoe is about to drop.
I push open the master bedroom door.
Valerie is sitting up in bed. Brittney is next to her, leaning next to her face.