Page 14 of Fritillaria

I look away like a coward, not waiting to see her reaction. My coffee is in my hands, creamer forgotten, as I escape back to my studio.

Chapter 13

Matilda

My eyes well up with tears, but Ivy looks away. She takes her coffee and walks out on me.

I want to scream at her. She’s not even giving me a chance to speak to her about it. Mostly I am just feeling the sting of rejection.

I thought Ivy was my friend.

The break room is pretty empty, but I need to get out of here. I choose to leave the opposite way to Ivy, then my legs take over. I need to go somewhere before I really start to cry.

Instinctively, I end up outside of Aspis’ office. Shit, should I be going in there like this? Right now?

Shuffling sounds and chatter start around the corner, and I don’t want to be caught lurking. I quickly open the door and let myself into Aspis’ office.

The sounds of a meeting plays from his computer. He looks up at my entry, a curve to his lips, but he glances back down to his screen just as quickly.

Fuck, it’s probably an important meeting. But I can’t go back into the hallway, I don’t want to run into anyone in this state.

My tears finally start to fall as the crushing realization sinks in. Ivy doesn’t want me. Doesn’t want us.

I try to keep my sobs silent as I sink to the floor, my head tucked into my knees. Today has been too much for me. Finding out that I have mates, then having one torn away from me.

I was so cocky to assume that Ivy would talk tomeabout it.

“Sorry everyone, I have an urgent matter to attend to. Send me the minutes.” Aspis’ deep timbre calls out before all the noises stop.

Strong arms wrap around me, lifting me into my mate’s hold. I turn my head, sobbing into his chest, my fingers gripping his lapel tightly.

The lock clicking shut on the door and my sobs are the only sound as Aspis sits back down with me in his lap. He patiently strokes my hair, waiting quietly for me to finish.

Eventually, I calm down a little, and a tissue is passed to me. I feel disgusting as I clean myself up, shaming coating me in its awful stickiness.

“What’s happened?” Aspis asks in hushed tones, his hands stroking me in soothing circles.

“I tried to talk to Ivy.” I hiccup, trying to hold in another sob as my tears begin anew.

“Oh,” Aspis’ grip on me tightens slightly. “I was worried that this might happen, but I was trying not to interfere between you two.”

“I don’t blame you. I just, I am sad is all. I’m not angry with Ivy really, I can’t get mad at her for feeling the way she does and being honest about it. But she just wouldn’t let mespeak!”

“I understand. Trust me.” He goes back to stroking me, his hands keeping me grounded. “It’s difficult, because we need to respect Ivy’s wishes, even if it hurts us and we think she is wrong.”

I chuckle a little at that.

We fall into a comfortable silence, and I snuggle into my mate’s chest, happy for his warmth.

“Let’s get you some water and a snack.”

Aspis stands, keeping me lifted in his arms as he gets me a water bottle and a small pack of pretzels.

“Thank you.” We sit and he makes me drink the whole thing, but I don’t open the snack. I can’t stand to eat right now.

“Let me take you home?” He asks. “I’ll vouch for you needing to go home sick.”

“That sounds nice.”

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