#Chapter 97: Fury and Grief
Again, she opened her eyes to the ceiling of her bedroom in the castle, yet this time she knew things were different. The pain that had been pulling her under had vanished and faded, but in its place was a strange emptiness and guilt.
Her throat was dry, her lips chapped, but she called out.
“Nicole?”
A pressure tightened around her hand and Nicole leaned into view before she could sit up to look at the woman. Her eyes were tired and harried. The scent of blood still hung in the air.
“Nicole… my…” she coughed and Nicole turned, returning with a glass of water for her. She lifted her gently to sip from the glass.
She forced herself to sit up fully, carefully, a hand pressed to her stomach. She knew something had happened. Something grave and horrifying. Something terrible had happened to her.
Burning red eyes looked at her from the back of her mind and her stomach churned in terror.
“You need rest–”
“My son…”
