Page 94 of Sky’s Edge

The queen’s study, my study (also perfect). Sitting at the foot of the table to his head.

His mom. His dad.

Trolls.

Murder.

Traitorous plots.

And Tanyn.

All things Tanyn.

While I cried, Laura helped me out of my clothes and boots, into a nightgown, onward to the bathroom where she shoved the Denti-Clean in my mouth, and when that was done, the spa-visor on my face.

She then took me to bed, tucked me in, and because she was my gal, my Laura, she climbed in with me and tucked herself to my back, holding me, because I was still crying.

It wasn’t long after that when Mom came in, sat on the bed and whispered, “Oh, my beautiful girl,” as she stroked my hair.

My beautiful girl.

My beautiful Catla.

I was Tanyn’s beautiful Catla.

My weeping had been prolonged, though quiet, but at the reminder of what he called me, and how I’d treated him, a sob tore up my throat.

“My dearest, dearest girl,” Mom whispered, an angry tremble threading through it I couldn’t quite lock on because I had to focus on falling apart so I could get it over with and begin the process of putting myself back together.

I did that.

I fell asleep doing it.

And hours later, I woke up alone.

Unraveled.

I rolled to my back to stare at a ceiling that looked studded with diamonds, glinting in the morning light.

Under that sky of diamonds, I gave myself long moments to wallow in what I was determined to make the last moments of misery.

Finally, I muttered, “Time to pull my crap together.”

Gathering the remains of myself, I threw back the covers to do just that.

I had not lied to Tanyn.

When I needed alone time, you had better give me alone time.

I didn’t make my loved ones guess at my mood.

While drinking coffee I’d ordered up and preparing for the day, I’d text commed my loved ones to warn them of this, and they gave me space.

I told staff I’d breakfast in the queen’s study, and that was where I went to await my summons from Tanyn.

As the hours slid by, I did some work. I checked the social tapes to see if anything had been leaked about Riland, Darynda and Tatra (it hadn’t). I texted Gayle again (still no reply). I left a very long a-comm for Monique to give her a brief version of the trial, telling her I was still in Sky’s Edge, and I’d audio soon to fill her in completely.

And I spent a good deal of time practicing what I’d say to Tanyn.