Now, more so than ever.
That was how Lady Vanessa found me—sobbing in the middle of the hall and holding onto the two cats like my life depended on it.
“Narcissa?” She knelt, taking my clenched hands in her own. They were warm and smooth, her beautiful face creased with concern.
I shook my head vehemently. It was all I could manage before I gave another strangled sob.
“What is it, my darling?”
The endearment only brought fresh tears. Lady Vanessa hesitated before gently prying Pippin out of my arms.
Her soft eyes steeled with determination. “Let’s get you to bed.”
I was too numb to know how she did it, but in a blink of an eye, I was in my nightgown, my face wiped clean and my hair combed out. Lady Vanessa helped me onto the mattress and drew a thick blanket to my chin. Misty curled herself above my pillow, her whiskers tickling my forehead.
“This one too?” Lady Vanessa asked, lifting Pippin from the floor. When I didn’t answer, she shrugged and tucked the tabby cat in next to me.
Pippin purred and licked my chin. A hot tear trailed down my temple, soaking into my pillowcase. My skin stung. I never realized how much crying hurt.
“Oh, my dear girl,” Lady Vanessa said, her face softening. She took a seat, dipping the mattress, and stroked my hair in a slow, comforting rhythm. I buried my face into the pillow, chest racking with new sobs.
My hysterics didn’t seem to bother her in the least. She continued gently, as if petting a kitten or consoling a child.
Eventually, my breathing evened. My eyelids were swollen and throbbing, glued shut by dried tears. Lady Vanessa had withdrawn her hand. Soft footsteps fell on the rug, punctuated by the sound of a doorknob being turned.
“Maddox? Where have you been?” Lady Vanessa asked in a hushed voice. A slice of warm light cut into the room. “You look awful.”
“Fulfilling the king’s orders.” He sounded exhausted. “We surrounded the rebel meeting.”
Lady Vanessa gasped. “Rebels? Here? And you and your father didn’t think to tell me?”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t think anyone was supposed to know,” Maddox said sheepishly.
Lady Vanessa exhaled. “What happened? Is it safe now?”
Maddox’s armor clinked. “Most of them got away, but we contained some. And the general’s son. That’s the most important thing, His Majesty said.”
“The general’s...?” Lady Vanessa made a noise at the back of her throat. “Never mind. You’re safe—that is all that matters. Did you see the king recently?”
“Yes. He just dismissed us for the night. Why?”
There was a pause. “It’s just that your sister...”
“What about Narcissa?” Maddox asked.
Lady Vanessa’s skirts swished. I pictured her wringing the fabric. “She hasn’t been well since King Maximus asked to see her tonight. He didn’t look happy.”
“Does he ever?” Maddox’s boots squeaked against the marble. “What’s wrong with Narcissa?”
“I don’t know. She had a splitting headache in the middle of the show and had to leave. I found her in the hall crying. I’m not entirely sure what happened.”
“Maybe Giselle knows. I’ll go ask her,” Maddox said, stifling a yawn.
“Nonsense. Don’t disturb a respectable girl in the middle of the night.”
He snickered. “Ha! Respectable.”
Lady Vanessa smacked him. “Off to bed with you. Your Father and I will deal with this in the morning.”
