Page 77 of Dark Reign

She smiled and I didn’t miss the sense of relief emitting from her.

“Good. As soon as we finish taming all this hair of yours, I’ll help you dress.”

Forcing a smile of my own then, I settled on my reflection. I looked … refined. Like the luxuries of this world had already consumed me when, truth be told, I couldn’t have cared less about any of it. I didn’t need the clothes, the makeup, or the posh accommodations.

All I needed, all Iwanted,was my family.

A pang of sadness hit me square in the gut, as did a ferocious growl. I placed my hand there as it rumbled, aware that the sound had also gotten the attention of my self-professed stylist. Our gazes locked and I knew she wouldn’t let it go.

“Corina, it’s been two days. You were already malnourished enough when you first arrived, and I’ve been too nervous to run another scan for fear of what the results will show.”

“I’m fine.”

She ignored the rebuttal.

“You’re not well,” Elle pressed again. “You’ve just had an episode and—”

She stopped pleading her case and moved to the dresser where a plate of untouched food rested on a silver tray. I watched as she grabbed a bundle of grapes by the stem and brought them over.

“At least accept this,” she insisted.

On cue, there was another rumble, and I considered it. With today certain to be stressful, it probably wasn’t a bad idea to have something in my stomach.

I accepted them with a soft, “Thank you,” and there was no missing Elle’s broad smile when I caved.

She stood behind me again, finishing my hair as I ate.

“So, you feel okay this morning?” she asked.

That question was more complex than I guessed she realized.

“I’m fine, I think. Other than being a bit tired, I don’t notice anything else.” When I finished speaking, I glanced up toward the mirror, not surprised to find her staring.

“And … emotionally?” she pressed. “I don’t mean to pry,” she quickly added, when my gaze lowered. “I only ask because today is a big day and yesterday was, well, it was pretty significant, too,” she acknowledged. “I guess I’m just making sure you’re not feeling too … overwhelmed,” was the word she chose.

Overwhelmed.

That stuck in my thoughts a moment.

“I’m coping,” I confessed. “You’re right, therehasbeen a lot to process, but I’ll manage.”

I kept it to myself that I’d been through some pretty tough times in my nineteen years, and this had just been one more thing to deal with lately.

“You’re one of the strongest people I think I’ve ever met,” she commented, misting my hair with holding spray while she spoke. “The Ianite women I’ve met aren’t like you.”

I had to laugh at that. “Oh, yeah? What are they like?”

She thought a moment. “Needy,” she blurted.

Another laugh escaped me. “Interesting.”

“They expect everything to be done for them and don’t seem to bring much to the table. Well, I at least know that to be true of the few women Julian has dated.”

My smile dimmed a bit when she mentioned his name, his dating life.

“Pardon me. I’ve said too much.”

“It’s fine,” I assured her. “Your secret is safe with me.”

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