To Hell and Back: A Seven Families Novel by L.B. Gilbert & Lucy Leroux

Author:L.B. Gilbert & Lucy Leroux [Gilbert, L.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942336457
Publisher: Candy Cap Publishing
Published: 2021-07-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five

Your place is whatever you want to make of it. Rhys had told her that after walking her back inside the house.

She had stayed awake most of the night, tossing and turning.

Was she a copy or herself? Did she stay or go? Would staying even be ethical?

Rhys might say she was not Gabrielle, but it was clear he was letting her stay here because of the resemblance.

Her face had always helped her. She was pretty, and people mostly liked helping the attractive. That was what her mother had always said, only she had added, ‘It’s easier to take advantage that way’.

Well, now her face was a weapon, a stiletto knife sharp enough to push past a dragon’s defenses, allowing her to play on what was might be his only weakness. How the hell was she supposed to deal with this?

At least you know why you’re here now.

Valeria rubbed her temples. If she’d made a list of possible reasons why, never in a million years would she had put ‘possible reincarnation’ on it.

And where the hell did that damn mirror come into the picture? Rhys hadn’t orchestrated her meeting up with it. That much she knew.

The next few days were tense. She avoided Rhys, wondering what the hell she should do, what it all meant… And she didn’t sleep very much.

Eventually—when she almost stumbled down the stairs—Rhys put his foot down. He sent her to bed with one of Aggie’s natural sleep remedies. When that failed, she went to the library, trying to find a book or diary boring enough put her to sleep.

That was where Rhys found her in the afternoon of the third day, standing in front of a bookshelf full of engineering texts and manuals. She must have looked like a zombie, staring slack-jawed at the books as if they were brains she was trying to decide between.

Wordlessly, he swept her off her feet, carrying her to the couch. That was when she finally slept, tucked next to him on the cushion. He was still there when she awoke, the moon high in the night sky.

A blanket had appeared in the interim. The soft throw was covering all of her and part of him, although she was one hundred percent certain Rhys hadn’t moved.

The dim light flickered. Shifting her head, Valeria saw that the fireplace was lit. “I thought this fireplace was on the other side of the room.”

“I had Aggie do a little rearranging while you were out.”

“Oh…” Valeria yawned, no longer surprised that the brownie could move more than just furniture. “Why did you stay? I know you have a lot to do.”

“Naveen came. Made a report. You were so exhausted that you slept through it.” Rhys shifted her a little with a gentle touch. “I know why you’re not sleeping. Fortunately for you, I’ve read enough of these books to know what is happening. I believe the philosophers call it an existential crisis.”

She pursed her lips. “Is it philosophers or psychiatrists?”

“Is there a difference?”

“Hmm…good question.

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