He nodded, then cut his gaze to the floor.
And while his brothers went through their updates regarding their endless searches for the females they were destined to be with, Eclipse had to wonder if hisamsouelotwouldn’t be better off destined to someone else.
“Is there anything I can get you?” Asmia offered, doing her best to keep from making eye contact with Penelope as she performed her duties as the female’sritarro.
“You could sit.”
She could, yes. Or she could simply work off the restless energy that coursed through her veins.
Ever since Taayin took off to help in the search for theamsouelots, Asmia had been on edge, wondering if he would ever return to her. And she wasn’t referring to the mission, either. From what she gathered from the updates provided to thefiestreigh, the males weren’t in much danger aside from the expected encounters with demons. According to the meeting minutes, they spent a majority of their time searching amongst the humans, not trading bullets or blades with evil.
No, it wasn’t his life she worried about. Asmia feared his heart would be what never returned to her.
Oh, how she missed him. Every now and then, Asmia would swear there was a cold ache in her bones brought on by his absence. But then she would shake it off, because Taayin was not heramsouelot, so there were no physical aches from the distance between them. It was merely wishful thinking on her part.
However, the sorrow and grief were real, no doubt about it. Her heart had been through the blender, and the only thing she wanted was the chance to talk to him, to figure out what she needed to do to fix things between them.
“Please, Asmia, sit. Catch me up on the gossip,” Penelope prompted.
Asmia had feared she would say that. However, as Penelope’sritarro, she could deny Obsidian’sereswanothing. It was her honor and her duty to tend to Penelope’s every need. Not that the female asked for much, which was both a blessing and a curse. Without something to do, Asmia was left with far too much time to think. And since there was only one thing on her mind these days, the less solitary time she had, the better.
Penelope patted the leather cushion beside her. “Come on. You’re making me tired with all your pacing.”
Reluctantly, Asmia made her way over.
“What’s on your mind?” Penelope probed.
Asmia sighed, a dramatic sound she’d been holding in for so long. On its heels, a sob escaped.
“Oh, Asmia,” Penelope whispered, leaning over and putting her arm around Asmia’s shoulders. “It’s going to be all right. He’ll be back soon.”
“He won’t,” she countered, giving in to the comfort, allowing Penelope to embrace her.
“He will. He just needs some time.”
That seemed to be the consensus these days. What Asmia didn’t understand was why he needed time away from her. Ever since Perfidious had manipulated her mind, it was as though he didn’t want to be near her. It wasn’t like Asmia’d had anything to do with that. She hadn’t recognized the demon at the club, hadn’t purposely given in to him. Yet she was the one being punished for it.
Sniffling, Asmia forced herself to sit up. She accepted the tissues Penelope held out, taking the box and settling it in her lap. She popped one out. Then another. Two more for good measure.
“I’m fine, really.”
“You’re not, but you will be.”
As was expected of her, Asmia nodded and forced a smile. “If there’s nothing else I can get you, I think I’ll go down to the kitchen, see if they need any help.”
Penelope nodded, her golden eyes full of understanding. It pained Asmia to know she was dragging down the entire house. Their concern, their pity, they were more than she could bear, but she couldn’t seem to get away from them.
“How about a movie before bed?” Penelope suggested. “We’ll grab Winnie and Acadia.”
Asmia nodded. “Of course.”
“Asmia, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
She knew that. She did. But the thought of burdening anyone with her problems, especially Penelope, made her heart ache. Penelope and Obsidian were happy, their lives together just beginning. Penelope was pregnant, for heaven’s sake. The last thing she needed was for Asmia to get all blubbery on her.
“I know. And I appreciate the offer,” she said softly.
Penelope’s disappointed sigh rang loudly in her ears as she slipped out of the library, making her way toward the stairs.
