“What child, Tristan?” she ground out again, the anger burning in her eyes.
Tristan backed up, hands held out in front of him. “I thought you would have figured it out by now. You must have known!”
“WHAT. CHILD?!” Alex was vibrating; the pain from her wound disappeared under the heat of her rage.
“My child! Rivka is pregnant withmychild!” Tristan shouted.
Alex couldn’t think through the cloud of her anger. Rivka was pregnant. Withhischild.This was why she ran. It had to be. But why? She needed an heir. Alex’s eyes narrowed, the pieces all starting to slide into place.
“Vivian. You and your harpy of a mother are behind this.”
Something flickered in Tristan’s eyes. Pain? Alex couldn’t be sure.
“I swear, Alex, I didn’t do it intentionally. I am trying to help. To find her.”
“I don’t buy that for a minute, Tristan. Isawyou fucking her,” she seethed.
Tristan stilled, his face blanching. “You saw? How?”
“It doesn’t matter. I just did. She left because of you!” Alex felt the tears coming. She wouldn’t cry though. She refused to shed one tear in front of this asshole.
“There is so much you obviously still don’t know.” Tristan was practically begging now.
Alex was barely standing, and this argument was goingnowhere. Davin placed himself more firmly between the two of them and cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself.
“She obviously doesn’t have the answers you are looking for. I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“Davin, I can handle this.” Alex began, but the argument died on her lips as she caught the look on Davin’s face.
“No, this is finished. Tristan, it’s time to go.” Davin’s tone final, allowing no argument.
“Fine. But Alex, if you find her, please, tell her that I’m…”
“I won’t tell her shit for you.” Alex spat, not letting him finish.
“ENOUGH.” Davin roared, taking a step towards Tristan, who instinctively stepped back.
“I’m sorry, Alex. For everything.” He spoke as he continued to move away from them, back down the alley. “You will never know the depth of my sincerity.”
“Screw your apology. The next time our paths cross, you won’t get the chance to walk away.”
With that, Tristan left them alone in the shadow of the Med Center once again. Alex collapsed back against the wall, the fight draining from her, sorrow taking its place. It was as if her heart was shattering all over again. Her mind reeled from the events of the day. She needed the sweet oblivion of sleep.
“Let’s go, princess. Time to find a bed.” Davin said, draping her arm around his neck. Alex gritted her teeth, pushing down the pain, as she limped slowly towards The Lavender Rose. She needed food, a bath, and a bed. She would worry about her heart later.
Chapter Forty-Three
Pushing Through Pain
Ellis
If Ellis never saw another tunnel again for the rest of his life, it would be too soon.They turned yet another corner in the endless underground tunnel that they were currently traipsing through. They had been in these Gods forsaken tunnels for what felt like too many days, weeks even. He couldn’t tell and had honestly lost count. The crude map Evanar had given them was smudged and worn, folded in his pocket. He knew it wasn’t exact, but they had to be close.
Rivka waddled next to him, one hand pressed firmly to her lower back, the other cradling her swollen stomach. Ellis’ own stomach rumbled, loud enough for Rivka to pause. They had packed bread, cheese, and some dried fruits for the trip, but it had dwindled faster than he had anticipated. They hadn’t stopped to eat in hours; she had to be starving. She had eagerly devoured every meal the past few weeks, and she had neverseemed satiated, even with him portioning off some of his share at every meal.
“I need to stop for a minute, El.” Rivka’s voice came weakly from behind him.
Ellis paused, looking back at her, not liking the way she was swaying. “Yes, of course, my love. Let us eat something.”
