Page 92 of Royally Drawn

“I am sure she’s in the best place she could be,” I added.

Ingrid looked about to shut down. Odette looked hopeful and had questions. Ingrid stared off into space, panicked. I felt sick to my stomach, unable to speak.

“She’ll be home with the baby soon,” Odette murmured.

“He hasn’t said the baby is alive,” Ingrid murmured, as if in a dream state.

“The baby is alive,” Parker confirmed. “She’s alive and healthy. But Alexandra still needs more blood and time. Rick is busy with the baby. Astrid is with Alexandra.”

“Why the fuck would he leave Alexandra?” I asked.

My anger didn’t come from rage as much as it from confusion and projection, but the timing was horrible.

“He had to go with the baby,” Parker said.

“He should stay with his wife because… she’s the one who could die. The baby… it’s just a baby and…”

I was now confusing myself. Ingrid put her hand on my leg as if to restrain me. She gave me a look of concern—sympathy rather than empathy—and it upset me.

“I would kill anyone who tried to separate me from you,” I said, speaking only to her. “Anyone who tried to tell me to leave, I would fight them.”

“Keir, you must listen to the doctors,” Ingrid said. “I don’t think it’s helpful to question what Rick is doing right now.”

“No. He’s doing the best he can,” Odette added. “He loves her.”

“He does,” Ingrid murmured in French.

“She’s a fighter,” Parker said, staring at me.

His gaze was one of contempt. I knew I wasn’t helping. I also knew I had little control of my emotions at the moment—the overwhelming urge to punch a wall brewed. I don’t know where my rage came from in these moments, only that I wanted to scream and fight anyone to make myself feel something—anything to distract from the feelings I didn’t want to have.

“She’s going to be okay,” Parker said. “We just have to wait for her to get stronger.”

“I need a minute,” I said, standing.

“But food is coming,” Ingrid said, flat and distant.

“I just… I’m taking a walk.”

I walked up and down the corridor. I heard the children in their little room down the hall joking and laughing as if nothing happened. The noises were so quiet in reality but felt so very loud. My entire brain felt like it was shouting different words over and over—all unintelligible.

Then, I felt a hand on my arm. I turned in fear.

“Stop, stop, it’s just me,” Ingrid pleaded fearfully.

“Shit. God, you frighted me!”

“Keir, are you alright?”

I started to come down, seeing the colour and range of emotion come back to her face. I pulled her close, holding her tight against me, and kissed the top of her head. She grounded me.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I should have never said anything.”

Ingrid pulled back and took my face in her hands. “It’s okay. We all have fucked up backstories. Talk to me. What is happening?”

“I don’t want to talk about me while we’re waiting for Alex?—”

“Alexandra is okay,” Ingrid said. “She is awake… just sedated… and Astrid has confirmed she is acting as head of state out of an abundance of caution. We just got the call confirming Alex is awake.”

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