As I returned to James's rooms that evening, I was surprised to see Amber leaving. "Good evening, Sofia." I curtsied and returned the greeting.
"I see it won't be long now. Do take care of him, won't you?"
I felt rankled. "Of course, my lady."
She started to turn away but then paused. "How is our brother Michael?"
"Quite healthy."
Her lips turned down slightly. "And mother?"
"I'm not sure. I've only seen her once."
Amber nodded. "Well, then. Please see that James is comfortable. Father has been asking after him."
I inclined my head to her and she left. I found James in the bedroom, propped up against the pillows, staring at nothing in particular. My heart stopped for a moment, until he moved his head to look at me.
"Sofia." He smiled.
I smiled back and moved to sit next to him on the bed, kicking off my slippers.
"Spending the night again?"
"If you'll have me."
He frowned. "I take too much of your time."
"No. There's no one else I'd rather spend my time with." I saw Cedric's face in my thoughts, but James was a priority right now. "How do you feel this evening?"
"Troubled."
"How so?"
"I think Amber is going to try and hurt the baby."
"What? Why?"
He shrugged and moved his head so we looked at each other as we lay against the pillows. "Michael has replaced her. He's the heir now."
You are the heir! My heart was breaking. "But you don't really think Amber would hurt him?"
"I don't know. I just- I got this feeling when she was here." James coughed. Luckily, it did not lead to a bad fit this time. "I worry about what is going to happen when I'm gone."
"Well that won't be for a long time from now."
"Sofia." He said it gently, but I heard the reprimand. "Please. I can't avoid the truth. And I don't want to. And that means you have to admit it too."
I began to cry and he moved to hold me. "I don't want to face the truth, James."
He had one arm around me, and the other was stroking my hair. I laughed through the tears suddenly. "Why are you comforting me? I should be comforting you?"
"You have been for five years. Now it's my turn." His voice was thick. I buried my head into his chest and he held me while I cried.
"James, you are my best friend. I don't know what I would have done here without you."
"You are my best friend too, and my best sister." We were silent for a moment. "You'll have to keep Cedric in line after I'm gone."
I laughed. "Yeah, I'm guessing he'll have a lot more time on his hands to get in trouble."
James laughed too. "Stay here with me, please. I'm tired, and I don't want to be alone."
I reached down and pulled a blanket from the end of the bed, then snuggled against him. "Good sleep, James."
"Good sleep, Sofia."