He brushed his greasy thumb over her cheek but she acted like it was the pinnacle of affection. Evie also might have tried to lick his thumb. I felt like I was intruding again. The urge to turn to Declan was so great. I broke into tears.
“Go away, impossible man.” Evie shooed Ward out of the kitchen.
He didn't go as far as anyone would have liked but Icouldn't blame him for protecting his whale of a mate. A stiff breeze might have turtled her onto her back.
“Come here, friend. I can’t say sorry enough right now.” She held her arms out for a hug. “If you’re not well-bitten, I assume you did the thing again, didn’t you?”
Evie understood. I had always been bad at feeling emotions in the moment. I froze or got something done. Action was much easier. But those emotions did eventually catch up with me. And Goddsdamn they were catching up hard. When I should have been telling Declan I loved him, I froze in a plan that didn’t even seem like that great a plan anymore. When I should have been leaning on my friends to help me with Hollow Fever, I shut them out.
My hesitation brought a question into her eyes. “If I get on the floor to reach you, I won’t get up again.”
“I know what you mean… oh Godds. Don’t tell me Declan got you pregnant? You never wanted that,” she said.
I wouldn’t get through this conversation without actually telling her why I left Nightfell. My mouth worked to force the words out. I had held onto the secret for so long. How could I find the words now? But everything else was unraveling. If this was going to dissolve too, I might as well get it over with.
I clenched my hands together, about to throw up. “I’m sick, Evie.”
She tried to start up and wobbled, plunking back down. “Oh My Godds! You’re dying?”
Her voice cracked so high, I laughed despite myself, gripping my stomach. Her feeling worse about it than I did helped somewhat.
She shook an angry finger at me because that was about all she could do. “This is not funny, Fallon.”
“No, no. I’m not dying. I mean, not faster than any of the rest of us. Most of the time. When I don’t have flareups. Or as long as the weather doesn’t change too quickly. Hells. I’m making a mess of this.”
Evie held out her hand. “Hold on. Hold on. Maggie has to hear this.”
In a flash of bright sorcery, Evie summoned her sister with her Dragon magic. I closed my eyes against the column of light invading the kitchen. As it faded, a very annoyed and very naked Maggie stood in the center of the room.
“You asshat!” She covered her breasts and the V of her legs with her hands. “Can’t you ask first? Clearly, I was in the middle of something!”
Evie eyed the release sliding down her sister’s leg before Maggie drew a sigil to summon a warm dress. My jaw hit the floor as my bestie said in a sweet, bright tone, “Looks like you were done.”
I threw myself between them. Maggie’s eyes glinted with murder and Evie brought magic to her hands.
“Okay, okay, hellions. Take a deep breath,” I said.
“You take a deep breath,” Evie all but snapped and turned to Maggie. “She’s been keeping secrets. She’s dying for Goddess’ sake! I’m going to have a dead best friend.” Evie started crying with a speed that spoke of hormones. “You’re the worst friend ever. Why didn’t you tell us? We could have helped. I wouldn’t have put you out in the snow.”
“It’s not really anyone’s business how I cope with Hollow Fever.”
Maggie gasped. “Are you kidding me? Fallon! How have you been managing?”
“Some potions work for a while. I have a routine. But mostly, I focus on work. If I just keep going, I don't think about it. And the satisfaction from a job well done makes me feel better.”
Maggie scoffed and elbowed her sister, whose tears had already dried on her face. “Well, I’m handling this with Declan. Just hold on to your kitchen spoon. Where is he?”
I needed something to do after that pronouncement, so I made two more grilled cheeses.
“She left him behind,” Evie whispered to her sister.
The frown on Maggie’s face could have burned down the Harrowlands. Pure satisfaction hit me as the grilled cheese wiped it right off her mouth.
Evie watched me flip the other sandwich onto a plate with avid eyes. “Babes, I love you, but you're stupid aboutwork and yourself. Why do you think I had to put on a performance in front of my court?”
“Sweet Heavens this is amazing,” Maggie said as she took her first bite. “And she’s right. Leaving Declan anywhere you’re not is a dumb idea.”
Evie took her sandwich and mumbled through bites. “That bakery was running you and when you finally escaped it, you fell right back into being my chef. Why aren’t you letting Declan take care of you if you’re sick?”
