The Marradith Ryder Series: The Art of Shadows, Part 29
“Come on Fiona,” Nora said. “We’re going to find a quiet place.”
Nora put an arm around her and they walked down the corridor together. She was surprised that she remembered the building well enough to find it, and that the room hadn’t been changed since the last time she visited White Sands. There was a small, private lounging area with couches, a little table, and a book case filled with titles about magic and meditation.
The lights were kept dim. Someone had lit a candle and placed it on the glass coffee table recently.
“I look a mess,” Fiona said, running her fingers through her hair. She sank down into the sofa.
“Who would expect any different?” Nora said. “You know how people are. If you looked too well they would think you had something to do with your husband’s condition. So let yourself be.”
That made her laugh. Then she put her face in her hands and started crying.
Nora held her and let her sob on her shoulder. In all the years that she’d known Fiona she’d never seen her friend so upset.
“If he comes around from this you two need to make up and quite fighting,” Nora teased. “No need in all this crying if you intend to dump him anyhow.”
“No kidding,” Fiona sniffed, taking a box of tissues that Nora offered.
“So are you going to tell me the story?”
“What story?” Fiona asked.
“How you met Rafael. It’s the one thing we never talk about. And don’t say you don’t want to talk about it. Because you know how Paul and I met. If you refuse to tell me about the two of you, I’ll be personally insulted.”
“Funny that you should ask. I was sort of discussing the topic with Marradith yesterday.”
“I do hope you edited the sex out of that version for my daughter’s benefit.”
“Yikes,” Fiona said. “We were talking about the Graymoor rather than really talking about Rafael. Besides, you realize your girl is married to Justin now.”
“Yes, I know. Still.”
Fiona nodded. “No, I didn’t say anything untowards to her. That would be like telling my own daughter….no, you don’t have to worry about that.”
”I know you look out for her in general. A lot. And I appreciate it. But you’re skirting the issue.”
“Why now?”
Nora didn’t want to tell her, but she was hoping she’d get Fiona to talk long enough that she would get tired. Otherwise, there was little chance that she’d get her to rest at all tonight. And she felt it would be soothing for her to talk about Rafael, in any condition than he was in now.
“Because this is going to be a long night,” she said with a soft smile.
“It wasn’t exactly, ideal, when we met.” Fiona said, drawing her legs up onto the couch. “I guess the first thing that you should know is that I went to him, looking for an escape. I was pregnant when we met.”
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©2011 Lori Titus
Keep up with this author through her blog: http://loribeth215.wordpress.com/ or on Twitter as Loribeth215.
March 18th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
I finally got all caught up!!!!
March 18th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
OMG Tony! Thanks, man!