Page 143 of Coerced Queen

“I just got the results from the tests we ran on that cake,” I say.

Anya and Livy stop what they’re doing to look at me.

“Mary used a tasteless and odorless sleep remedy in a concentrated dosage.Rosemary may have a headache due to the dehydrating side effect of the drug, but she shouldn’t have any lasting symptoms.”

“That’s a relief,” Livy says, turning her attention back to the stove.

Anya switches on the kettle.“I’ve been thinking about it non-stop since this morning.”She leans on the counter and chews her lip as she seemingly reflects for a while before saying, “If my mom gave Claire the same drug, she would’ve had to give it to her via a bottle or an injection.I looked, but I didn’t see any needle marks on Claire’s body, which makes me think she opted for a bottle.As we didn’t find anything in Claire’s crib or in her room or anywhere else on the property for that matter, she must’ve taken it with her when she left.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, wanting to reassure her.“We’ll know when Nicole gets the blood test results.”

“Sav is right.”Livy nods over her shoulder.“We can’t change what happened.Let’s just focus on fixing it.”

I go over to Claire and brush a hand over her head.My palm drowns her tiny skull.My chest tightens at the thought of what could’ve happened if Anya hadn’t been as well prepared and brave as she’d been.The scenarios that run through my mind make me want to empty my gut.No wonder Anya can’t stomach it.

I watch her closely while she makes tea.Her cheeks still haven’t recovered their color.Dark circles mar her eyes.Livy, on the other hand, is suspiciously upbeat after the ordeal she’s been through.It makes me think she was born for this life.

I pop bread into the toaster and put place settings at the island counter.When the eggs are ready, I pull out a chair for Anya next to me.As soon as she’s put her butt in the seat, I sit down and drag the chair close enough to mine for our thighs to touch.I need the contact, but she needs it too.

She stares at her plate with a convulsive swallow when Livy heaps eggs onto her toast.

I put a hand on her knee, commanding her attention.“You have to eat,tesoro.”

“You don’t want your breastmilk to dry up,” Livy says gently.

“Yes.”Anya pushes the hair from her face.“I’m just not hungry.”

“Take a few bites,” I urge.“It’ll do you good.Your body needs the energy.”

She nods even though she doesn’t reach for her fork or knife.

I dig into the eggs, lifting a forkful to my mouth as I keep an attentive eye on my girl.

“Excuse me,” she mumbles, pushing back her chair.

She hops down and hurries from the room.

I exchange a look with Livy, concern eating into my gut.“She needs a doctor.”

“Maybe she needs a different kind of doctor.”

I put down my fork.“What do you mean?”

Livy raises a brow, waiting for me to get it.“She’s been through a traumatic experience.”

“You think she should talk to a psychologist.”

Livy shrugs.“It can’t do any harm.”

“Do you think that’s why she’s sick?”

“She blew up six men and killed the two surviving ones in cold blood.”

I clench my jaw.“I’m aware of that.”

“She thought she was going to die.She was ready to die.”

The sound of that alone makes me unravel.

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