Page 183 of The Seven Rings
Sonya stood pale, breath shuddering. But her eyes blazing blue with triumph.
“I wasn’t alone. I was stronger.”
He dragged her to him. “You’re freezing. Let’s go get you warm.”
“I’m already warmer.” She wiggled away from him to turn toward the room. “Hear that, bitch? You’re the one who died alone. This is my house, and I’m never alone.”
She may have shouted it, may have looked fierce, but she trembled all over.
“Come on, cutie. Come on with me now.”
She let him lead her away, and glanced over as the ringing bell snapped to silence.
“That’s right,” she muttered. “That’s right. Go curl up in your hole. You won’t have even that for long.”
As they started up the stairs, the adrenaline began to recede. When her legs went weak, she leaned against him.
“You came looking for me. I didn’t think you would.”
“Clover let me know you needed me to.”
“She’s the best. Need a second. Legs are a little shaky.”
To solve that, he picked her up. “I’ve got you.”
“Yeah, you do.”
When he pushed open the servants’ door, they saw Cleo, hair wild, rushing toward them with the cat slinking behind. Then doubling her pace when she saw them.
“What happened? Are you hurt? What—”
“Not hurt. Just catching a ride. Downstairs, okay? Because I could really use more coffee. You can put me down.”
“I’ve got you,” he repeated as Cleo reached out.
“You’re cold. I’ll get a blanket.”
“No, no, trust me, this isn’t cold. Did Clover wake you up?”
“I’ll say.” Cleo knew her friend, and her friend needed a couple of minutes. “I heard some blast of music. That didn’t really register.”
“‘Crazy Bitch.’”
At her half-amused look, Trey shook his head. “Not you. The music.”
“If you say so. Then my phone’s blasting ‘Hell’s Bells.’”
“AC/DC, good choice.” Trey turned at the bottom of the stairs.
“Well, that woke me up. Add the Gold Room bell clanging like a fire alarm. Then there you are. I’ll get the coffee. Lots of coffee.”
Cleo hurried ahead.
“Dobbs is running scared.”
“Is she?” Trey turned his head to brush his lips over Sonya’s hair.
“Yeah, she is.” As they passed the music room, she looked in at the portraits. She wasn’t alone, she thought again. And neither were the brides. “Crazy bitch ruined my yoga practice, and I was into it.”
