My chest ached asIlooked at her.
"Sweetheart,"Isaid softly, "you're in pain."
Her laugh was shaky and unhappy.
"You noticed that, did you?"
"Vivienne."Istepped closer, keeping my movements slow and careful soIwouldn't startle her."You'repractically crying, baby."
At that, her composure cracked completely.
She looked away, blinking rapidly.
"I tried to handle it myself," she admitted in a small voice."Ithought ifIcould just get the pump and take care of it, maybe it wouldn't get any worse."
So instead of asking for help, she'd immediately started trying to solve the problem alone.Becauseshe’d only ever had herself to rely on.Butnow she had me—Iwouldn’t stand by and let her be in pain.
"You didn’t have to do that,"Isaid gently.
She looked up at me, her eyes shiny with unshed tears.
"What else wasIsupposed to do?"
She didn’t sound angry—just exhausted and sad.SuddenlyIrealized just how alone she must have felt when she realized herHeatCyclewas beginning with no one to turn to and no idea what was happening to her body.
The thought broke my heart.
"You could have come to me,"Isaid quietly.
Her eyes flew to mine.
"Kor, youknowIcan't."
"Why not?"Iasked.
She nibbled her lower lip.
"Because youknowwhat this means."
I did know—that was the problem.Iknew exactly what it meant.
The sweetnessI'dbeen smelling all morning…the nectar…the swelling…the pain.Viviennewasn't experiencing some mild hormonal fluctuation—she was entering a realHeat—possibly the first one of her life.
And if it continued progressing at this rate, she could be in serious danger.
The realization settled heavily in my chest asIlooked at her.Rightnow she was embarrassed and uncomfortable and frightened.Butif this kept getting worse, embarrassment was going to be the least of our concerns.
SomehowIhad to convince her that she didn't have to face it alone…but how?
THIRTY-NINE
VIVIENNE
Kor was silent for so long,Iwas sure he was disgusted with me.Afterall, why wouldn’t he be?Mybreasts were all swollen and leaking and my nightgown was sticking to me.Iwas a mess.
“Look, just give me the pump andI’lltake care of myself,”Isaid.
Snatching my robe closed,Igrabbed the boxes.Ignoringthe pain in my breasts asIlifted them,Imarched upstairs to my room and began unpacking the pump immediately.
