Page 94 of Sapphire Scars

It feels like it’s being pulled out rather than let out.

“It’s okay, Milana,” I tell her, stroking her hair, because I remember how soothing it was when the nurse did that to me right after The Accident that cost me my first baby. “It’s okay. Let it out. Just cry.”

She shakes her head for several seconds before she speaks. “No,” she gasps, and it sounds like every word she utters is taking a toll on her body. “If I let myself cry… I’ll never stop.”

38

JUNE

When I walk back into my bedroom, I find Kolya sitting by the window waiting for me. This is the second time in an hour that I’ve walked into a room expecting to see one person and getting another.

I just hope that whatever is coming isn’t going to be as draining as what just passed.

“Where’s Geneva?” I ask.

He doesn’t look at me when he answers. “I banished her to her room for the next few hours.”

I raise my eyebrows. “And she went, just like that? Didn’t realize you have actual magical powers.”

I expect a smile, but his face never cracks. He just gestures for me to come forward and sit down, which instantly puts me on high alert.

“What’s going on?” I ask tentatively as I inch towards the window seat.

He still won’t look in my direction. “Sit down.”

“I don’t want to sit.”

He sighs and finally drags his eyes over. “I’m not in the mood to argue, June.”

I shiver under his gaze, but I stand my ground. “You’re the one sitting here in my room,” I remind him. “I’ve had a really tough afternoon and I’m not in the mood for games, Kolya.”

He glares at me for a moment. “I need to send a message to my cousin.”

I try very hard to keep my expression from giving anything away. I’ve decided not to tell Kolya about Ravil’s conversation with Geneva. It’s immaterial, since Geneva isn’t working for him anymore. If she ever even was to begin with.

“Which involves me how…?”

“It involves you because… we’re going to have to have a wedding.”

I stare at him, waiting for him to deliver the punchline. There has to be a punchline, right? Because I’m pretty sure he mentioned a wedding. In no sane world does that not function as the beginning to a joke.

“Um… I’m sorry, I don’t—”

“As far as my cousin and his men are concerned,” he interrupts emotionlessly, “you are pregnant with my child. At the moment, you’re just a woman I knocked up. But getting married—it lends legitimacy to our relationship. And to the child you’re carrying.”

He’s speaking way too fast. His tone is throwing me, too. It’s cold, apathetic. Almost robotic.

“Is this your idea of a romantic proposal?” I say with a nervous laugh.

He blinks placidly. “This isn’t a joke, June.”

My mouth snaps shut. Along with my sense of humor. “It has to be a joke, Kolya. Because it sounds like you’re saying that you want me to marry you.”

“The wedding would be fake.”

“Oh, okay. Then that makes all the difference,” I retort sarcastically. “This is insane!”

“No more so than the last several weeks,” he points out.

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