I hold my breath for a different reason as I flip the frame around. I know who this picture is gonna be of…
I trace my finger over the edges. Much to my surprise, this isn’t Igor’s mom.
It’s a man. And this photograph looks like it’s been pulled right out of a time capsule. It’s old. The bleached, washed-out color suggests this picture was taken a long time ago.
The man is younger than Valerian is today. Maybe this is his father? They have similar appearances. I see now where Valerian gets his cheekbones from.
I turn the frame back over, removing the image. There’s some writing on the back but it’s all in Russian.Sokolovis the only word I recognize.
This had to be his father.
Hearing footsteps, I slot the image back into the frame and shut the drawer.
I comb a hand through my hair just as the door opens, acting casual.
Valerian comes to a halt in the doorway. He barely even fits in it. He’sthatbig.
“What are you doing?”
“Finding some clothes to wear since you ripped my dress last night.”
“You don’t need to wear clothes around me,printsessa.” He winks. “But around everyone else, I need you to.”
I quirk an eyebrow up at him. “You have a problem with your guards seeing me naked?”
Valerian doesn’t answer that question. “Get dressed. I made you breakfast.”
I blink, keeping the sheet around my body.“Youmade breakfast? Why?”
“I’m not sure.” Valerian frowns to himself. “But that’s not the point. Come now before it goes cold.”
I fold my arms over the bedsheet, leaving his room. I stride across the hallway back to my own room, finding some clothes to change into. I’m walking into the closet, looking for something to wear when nausea hits me.
It came right out of nowhere.
I slap a hand over my mouth and retch.Fuck.
I sprint to the bathroom, the bedsheet forgotten about, and vomit right into the toilet.
After throwing up my guts in the toilet, I flush and lean against the wall, defeated, sweat dripping down my brow.
Holy shit.Great way to start the day.
The nauseous feeling disappears. But now I’m feeling sick for another reason. I nevereverthrow up. I was fine last night. In fact, I sobered up pretty quickly when Valerian dragged me into his room.
I frown.Could I be…?
No. There’s absolutely no way.
My period is two days late. But pregnancy isn’t the reason. The champagne was strong last night. Valerian even said so himself.
“Joy?” I hear him calling my name. I think he’s standing on the staircase. “Are you coming?”
“Yeah. Just a minute.”
I hear footsteps. They pound against the ground, getting closer. Fuck. He thinks I’m touching myself again.
“I’m just in the bathroom.”