Page 82 of Her Sweet Surrender
Standing back up, she escorted them down the hallway. As soon as Little Sparrow saw Faelan, she whined happily and raced toward him.
He stared at her, not even reaching out to pet her.
Little Sparrow would not be denied and pushed her head under his hand. Instead of relenting and petting her, he crossed his arms. She sat down and looked up at Faelan, tilting her head from side to side as if she was trying to figure him out.
Brie was frightened by the change in Faelan. He looked gaunt and his expression was hollow and lifeless.
The baby started crying in another room. Celestia immediately popped off the couch to take care of her.
“Can I go with you?” Brie asked.
She gave Brie a weak smile. “Of course.”
When Brie entered the room that had been hastily converted into a nursery, she went straight to the crib and picked up the crying infant. “How has she been?”
Celestia caressed her tiny head. “The poor thing cries all the time. I haven’t been able to comfort her no matter what I do.”
Brie looked down sadly at the baby. “I wonder if she misses her mother.”
Celestia frowned. “I’m sure she misses them both.”
Brie kissed her sweet-smelling head and began gently rocking her. “What did Faelan end up naming this little sweetie?”
Celestia looked crestfallen when she answered, “He’s never given her a name.”
Brie frowned. “What?”
“He refuses.”
She hugged the baby tighter. “No wonder you’re so unhappy.”
“Brie,” Celestia whispered, “I’m afraid if things don’t change soon, this little girl will be an orphan.”
“I promise we won’t let that happen, Celestia.” Remembering what Mary said, she glanced around the room. “It looks like you could use a little help with baby supplies.”
“We buy things as we require them,” she explained. “But, never having had a child before, we aren’t really sure what else she needs.”
“Don’t worry. We have a small army of people who would love the opportunity to help.”
Brie walked into the other room carrying the baby. The instant Faelan saw the child in her arms, he flinched and got up to leave. On his way out of the room, he told Rytsar, “Take the dog with you.”
“I’m sorry,” Marquis Gray stated as he watched Faelan leave. “At this point, we are at a loss.”
“Don’t fret,” Rytsar stated confidently. “I have something in the works.” He glanced at Little Sparrow. “As for her, she must stay.”
“You heard what Todd said,” Marquis protested.
“The boy has no idea what he needs, but I do.”
They left Marquis’s house not long after. On the drive home, Brie told them what she’d learned. “Faelan refuses to name the baby.”
Sir frowned. “Seeing his reaction to her tonight, I can’t say I’m surprised. But, it is extremely troubling.”
“The boy is stubborn,” Rytsar stated. “But there isno onemore stubborn than me.”
Brie trusted it was true and held desperately onto that hope.
The Plan
