There’s something slightly off in her tone.
But before I can identify it, the nausea returns. This time it’s sudden and overwhelming. My stomach lurches and cold sweat breaks out across my forehead.
Amanda notices and cocks her head to the side. “Thea? Are you alright?”
I stand abruptly, bumping the table and causing the tea to spill just a bit. The room spins. I blink hard, trying to regain my balance.
“Excuse me. I need?—”
I can’t even finish the sentence. I bolt for the bathroom down the hall, barely making it before I’m retching into the toilet.
When it finally stops, I’m shaking and soaked in sweat. My hands are gripping the porcelain like it’s the only thing in the world preventing me from flying off into space.
There’s a soft knock at the door.
“Thea? Do you need help?”
“I’m fine,” I manage. “Just give me a minute.”
I flush then stand, taking a pause for things to stop spinning. I rinse my mouth at the sink and splash cold water on my face. By the time I’m done, I feel a little bit better. But my throat still burns, my stomach still tight.
My reflection is pale, and on some level, I have been ignoring it, pretending it isn’t true.
Oh God.
The nausea, the exhaustion, the way my breasts have been tender for over a week.
No.
I press my hand to my stomach.
Please, no.
But I know.
Shit.
CHAPTER 30
THEA
Amanda is waiting in the hallway when I come out of the bathroom.
She’s standing with her arms crossed, her expression carefully neutral. But her eyes track me with the focused attention of a lawyer who’s been trained to notice everything.
Shit.
“Better?” she asks.
“A little. Sorry about that.”
“Don’t apologize.” She falls into step beside me as I move back toward the sitting room. “How long has that been going on?”
Great. Now I’m going to have to deal with a cross-examination.
“Just a few days.” The lie comes out so automatically that I almost believe it myself. “I think it’s just stress with the council and Kolya, along with everything else that’s been going on.”
She glances at me out of the corner of her eye. “Thea.”