As Thalia had told Caspian shortly before walking out on him, there was no need to concern themselves with Lord Donmere’s accusations. Not if their feelings were true, because if they were, no amounts of slander could touch them.
Even with that in mind, Thalia had held onto a slither of hope that once Lord Donmere was dealt with, that Caspian might finally look inward because there was no need to focus on the external threats as he had forced himself to do.
Clearly, Caspian did not feel the same way.
Yes, Lord Donmere’s fall was good news, at least for Rosaline and Laurent. But for Thalia it meant little, because it seemed to have no effect on Caspian whatsoever. If anything, now that he was dealt with, he might see no need to worry himself with Thalia at all. Now that there was no one left to question the state of their marriage, there was no need to pretend that they were happy, and thus no need to spend time together at all.
And that she was with child… Caspian had gotten what he needed from her. It really was that simple.
“He might be waiting until he is certain that Lord Donmere can no longer touch you,” Damien said. He stepped into her and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Likely, he is just being careful.”
“He will come to you.” Rosaline was on her feet and then by her side. “He will realize how much he misses you, Thalia. I know he will.”
“Don’t give up hope.” Laurent was by her side next. “This is not the end.”
She forced a smile and her hand went to her stomach. “Yes, it is. If Caspian cared for me, he would… he would have…” The words died on her tongue like water in rain.
No one seemed to know what to say, and that was because there was nothing to be said. For days, Thalia had held onto hope, and for days she had known the futility of doing so. As far as she was concerned, this news was the final nail in the coffin that was her marriage, and there was nothing she could do to change that.
Suddenly, the coldness that had plagued her all morning swept up her body. She shivered and then lurched, her hand clamping down on her stomach. Pain shot through her, a lightheadedness made her sway, and she thought she was going to be sick…
“Thalia!” Damien cried when he saw her face pale.
“I am fine…” She held out a hand to stop them from grabbing her. “I just need… air… some space to… I am…”
Her head swam. Her legs trembled. Her stomach turned. And before she could do or say anything else, the little energy that she still had left her body, and her knees gave out entirely.
“Thalia!”
She crumpled to the ground. Her \eyes closed, and darkness took her.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Caspian could not say what he was doing when Laurent arrived at his home. Wandering the hallways aimlessly, he supposed. Wondering to himself how he had gotten here, and how on earth he was going to get himself out.
He had won, or so people would say. His smear campaign against Lord Donmere had worked exactly as he planned, and now that the revolting lord was disgraced, his word was worth less than mud, and he could no longer hurt Caspian’s reputation. It should have brought him joy. It should have brought him relief. It should have made him feel vindicated. But ultimately, he felt nothing.
He simply did not care. What sort of victory was this if it brought him no satisfaction? What was the point in winning if there was no one to share the victory with?
I know now how wrong I have been, in everything I have done. So obsessed was I with what other people thought that I failedto consider the feelings of the one person who truly matters to me…
So, he wandered, he walked, he sulked about the manor in a state of emptiness, knowing what he should do but too afraid to do it. He had hurt Thalia and his greatest fear was that if he went to her, if he told her how sorry he was, that it would be too late and that she would never forgive him.
Worse that I do not deserve her forgiveness…
It was as these thoughts attacked him from every direction that he heard a commotion from somewhere inside the manor. He thought to ignore it, caring not for what it might be. But the commotion grew, shouting ensued, and soon he found himself walking toward the chaos.
That was when he ran into Laurent.
“Your Grace!” Laurent cried when he came upon him. “You must come quickly!”
“Laurent?” Caspian started. “What are you…” He trailed off when he realized that there would be but one reason for Laurent to be here. “Thalia. What has happened?”
“We don’t know,” he said. “She was fine, but all accounts, and then out of nowhere she collapsed. Doctors have been sent for, but we are waiting to hear –”
Caspian did not wait to hear the rest of what Laurent had to say. His stomach dropped with fear, the world turned around him, and he pushed through the feelings of morosity that took him as he strode past Laurent for the front door.
There was a carriage sitting in the driveway, no doubt the one that Laurent had taken to get here, but Caspian did not hurry for it. He called for a horse and even before Laurent was outside, Caspian was climbing atop that horse and kicking his heels into its side.
