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From One Book to Another:
Chapter Three: Roguneto Baby
Anna-Marie Karenina stood in her chamber as her servants fluttered around her, dressing her for the day as she held onto a letter, several pages long. Her corset was tightened, her hoop-skirt tied around her waist, petty-coats were laid, her jewelry cast upon her fingers, wrists and ears and finally her outer clothes of the finest green fabric were placed above it all.
"Oh Scott," Anna-Marie muttered to herself in disappointment, having finished the letter. She needed to speak about this. Needed to talk to someone. Glancing around the room, none of the servants would do. That was how rumors started and she couldn't have that. She sighed to herself before waving her hands, dismissing her servants before she stalked off to see her husband.
In only a short walk across the grand house they lived in, Anna-Marie was in her husband's office. Magnus was sitting at his desk, reading a letter of his own, adorned in his military outfit, medals and all. How they gleamed in the light of the sun? He was alone, a rarity at this time in the morning, that she wouldn't have to shoo away any servants or advisors for a moment alone with her own husband.
"Jean found a note from the governess," Anna-Marie announced waiting for her husband to glance up. He did not. He hardly ever did. There were important matters of the state that needed to be attended to. At least, that was what he constantly claimed. And with the way he was revered by their fellow countryman, who is she to complain?
"Well?" he asked, unperturbed, and rather unfeelingly at the news.
"Scott wants me to go to Westchester to persuade Jean to forgive him," she explained as she rounded the desk, in hopes of catching his eye.
"I'm to be deprived of my wife so that adultery may be forgiven?" he asked, his head did not move, but finally his eyes did, making contact with hers. Anna-Marie could only giggle uncomfortably in response. Of course, she had to go. Her help had been requested. "I won't excuse him just because he's your oldest friend," he said.
"Adopted brother," she corrected.
"That's Kurt," he pointed out, finally putting down the letter.
"Kurt's in the church, he'll never have this problem," she retorted.
"Scott's an adult, who made a vow to a woman he professes to love, neither should he," he said, his sharp nose turned predominantly downward. And though he wasn't judging her, it felt as if he was.
"Oh, it's for Jean's sake, too," she said, shifting her argument before a door opened robbing them of privacy; their own governess showed their little Charles into the room, along with his tutor.
"Four committees today. I have the world waiting for me," Magnus said, standing, giving their son his full attention. "There's never time to look at your exercises," he said, as Anna-Marie promptly felt a slim glimmer of hope, he'd make time this morning to shower their son with the attention he deserved. That they both deserved.
"Charles is doing very well, General," the boy's tutor said gleefully, as her husband pulled out and glanced at his watch, even his interest in their son was short-lived. Annoyed, Anna-Marie walked away from Magnus and right up to Charles crouching down in front of him to examine his attire.
"Who put this shirt on you?" she asked her son as she tried to straighten it out. "Well, never mind," she said immediately. "I'll come and hear you read," she said happily.
"Tomorrow, perhaps," Magnus dictated as their son looked up at his father, while Anna-Marie tried not to roll her eyes.
"Of course, your excellency," the tutor responded.
"Thank you," her husband said to the staff, dismissing them. A hand was placed on her son's shoulder and he was pulled away from her and escorted from the room. They were alone once again.
"Magnus," Anna-Marie said as she stood, and walked up to her husband, "do you think nine years of marriage and four children should count for nothing against an infatuation?" she asked, looking him dead in the eye. She'd have him for maybe another minute, two if she were lucky. If she wasn't to spend time with her son or husband, then shouldn't she go and help Scott?
"No," he said succinctly and she held in sigh, holding his gaze. "Very well," he relented. "But sin has a price," he said before he leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek. "You may be sure of that," he said. Anna-Marie snickered to herself as she watched him turn and leave for one of the four committees he was committed to that day. While she-
She had to pack.
Anna-Marie sat on the floor with her son as he played with a little wooden toy train, fidgeting with it really.
"But why?" he whined.
"Because that's where Aunt Jean and Uncle Scott live," she explained.
"But why?" he asked again, his little going up an octave, as if it would better help her comprehend his question.
"I told you, Charles," she said. "Aunt Jean isn't well, I must go and see her."
"But why, Momma?" he asked again, getting close to her, putting his little arms around her shoulders, pulling at her.
"Don't make momma cry," she begged him. "I'll be back before you know it and I'll bring you a present," she promised.
"I don't want a present. I want you to stay," he said, holding her tightly.
"Oh, my little peanut," she said, rubbing his hair affectionately before she pulled back to look at his face. She gave him a sort of half-smile, a knowing smile.
"What present?" he asked.
"That's more like it," she said, smiling widely as she tickled his stomach and kissed his face. She pulled him into another hug. "I love you," she said.
"I love you too, Momma," he said.
Anna-Marie sat, her foot tapping against the floor of the moving train, it was drawing closer to their destination; only a few minutes to go before they reached the station. She'd felt so eager to leave Utopia, in want of stimulation, but now that was alone. She glanced up to see a man with long brown hair tied back in a pony-tail sitting across from her. The man was older than her, maybe the same age as her husband from the lines she saw etched in his face.
"I'm going to visit my son," he said, answering the unasked question.
"I've just left mine, for the first time," Anna-Marie replied, happy to make conversation. It was so rare she had the chance.
"How old?" the gentleman asked.
"Eight," she smiled before she pulled out a necklace she had and opened it. She leaned forward to allow the stranger to see the image of her son. "How old is yours?" she asked.
"My Remy's a grown man," he said as she sat back, closing her locket. "At least, he thinks he is," he said with a smile and Anna-Marie giggled at that. "He's twenty-five this year," he elaborated.
"We're practically the same age," she laughed. "How is he not grown by now?" she asked.
"May I vent?" he asked.
"As one parent to another, I'd love to hear your perspective," she answered.
"Remy's in the regiment and he's done well for himself, but he's a bit of a ladies man."
"And he won't settle down?" Anna-Marie guessed.
"How I wish he would," he said.
"Maybe he hadn't found the right woman yet?" she asked.
"He's met plenty. He's had plenty. There's one he's courting right now, Madeline. Sweet, young, pretty little thing, I'd happily call her my daughter-in-law," he said. Anna-Marie felt her head tilt at that.
"Madeline Pryor?" she asked and watched a pleasantly surprised smile appear on his face.
"You know her?" he asked.
"Maddy's my sister-in-law's little sister," she answered and she watched his eyes dart by and forth, trying to make the connection and she sucked in a breath realizing she'd made a mistake.
"I didn't know Scott Summers had a sister. I thought it was all-" he said before his voice trailed off, only for his eyes to widen before he practically jumped out of his seat and bent to one knee. "My lady Karenina," he said, bowing his head.
"Oh, there's no need for any of that," she said as the train's brakes were pulled and it started to come to a stop. The poor man almost fell over as a result. "If Ah wanted people fawning over me, Ah woulda stayed in Utopia," she muttered.
"Respect will be paid to an honorable woman," he said, keeping himself bent before her. "All of us are indebted to you and General Magnus for your protection. I thank you," he said, nodding his head.
"It was my pleasure speaking with you," she said, holding in a sigh, knowing the social divide had stuck down and wouldn't be lifted again. She hadn't even gotten his name. Still, he gave his head another nod before he stood. "Please sit," she said as she stood. "I'll come back," she promised, leaving her bag, wanting to get the man's name, before she walked off, the doors to the train opening.
Out of the corner of her eye, Anna-Marie saw a uniformed man enter the train. As she moved to walk past him, she felt eyes on her and glanced back to see- Lord, he was handsome; long brown hair and crimson eyes that were staring at her, blatantly. It was strange that she didn't mind, rather she had to urge to step closer to the man, to-
Anna-Marie shook her head, breaking the spell and turned to leave the train.
As she exited, she kept her eyes peeled for-
"Scott," she called out, spotting her brother, the red spectacles he wore always made it easy to spot him in a crowd.
"Anna-Marie," he called out and she rushed her way past a few people to leap into his arms for a hug as she both giggled like school-girls, delighted to see one another. It had been too long.
"Oh, don't look ashamed," she laughed, taking in his expression. Honestly, she was glad at the excuse to come visit with him.
"Oh, I am, I really am," he said.
"I'll talk to Jean. Everything will be fine," she assured him, sighing. "I have to get my bag," she said.
"Go, I'll wait," Scott said. She giggled as he hadn't offered to fetch it for her. It felt so good to be with a friend, someone who regarded themselves as her equal. She nodded before turning to- glancing at the train window, she saw the uniformed man, staring at her through it. Once spotted, he quickly averted his crimson gaze.
She shook her head, dismissing it, as she marched back onto the train. Once she saw the two men standing next to each other, there was no doubt in her mind.
"You have found your son and I have found my brother," she declared happily.
"Madam Karenina has a son too," the older man explained. "It's the first time they've been apart and she frets about him," he said.
"Excuse me for not recognizing you before," the younger man said, explaining away his staring. "I am Remy Vronsky," he said, reaching to take her hand. She allowed it and sucked in a breath as he bent his head, his lips making contact with the back of her gloved hand. Remy's crimson eyes flashed to hers, holding her gaze as his lips held contact. A ladies man indeed. She could see how one could be captivated by his charm.
"Remy," the older man said, his voice low. Anna-Marie blinked as she saw the older of the two had elbowed the younger. It had only been a moment, right?
"Count Jean-Luc Vronsky?" she asked the older of the two, regaining her wits.
"Yes, Madam," he answered with a nod. She gave him a look at that, they weren't that far apart in social standing; there were not nearly as many layers between them as his demeanor suggested.
"It was a pleasure speaking with you, Count Vronsky and with meeting you Remy," she said. She blinked. "Count Vronsky," she corrected herself. They were both nobility, same as her. "One I hope I'll get to repeat," she said.
"Good day, Madam," Count Vronsky said with a nod before they all moved to depart the train. Leading the small group, Anna-Marie heard a distinct slap come from her behind. Stealing a glance backward, she found a boyish grin on Remy's face as he rubbed the back of his neck.
'That boy is dangerous,' she thought accompanied by a pleasant tingle running down her spine.
Anna-Marie sat in a carriage with her brother, her thoughts lingering on Remy, recalling his face, his eyes especially and the way his lips had felt on the back of her hand. How his breath against her skin had warmed him.
"Have you known Count Vronsky long?" Anna-Marie asked, curious to know more, as her finger ran a circle around the area where Remy's lips had been.
"Did you like him? He's in love with Maddy," Scott informed her, as if that was the only thing she needed to know.
"Oh," she said with an unexpected hint of bitterness in her voice. Anna-Marie blinked, realizing that her brother was right and she had no reason to fixate on the Count. She shook her head. "But we should be discussing you and Jean," she said, getting back on track. "What have you got to say for yourself?" she asked, her tone turning a bit stern.
"I've said it all. On knees, in tears," he said. "Now I need you to say it," he added and she shook her head in disapproval. Still she had come. "I'm going to the office so you'll have Jean to yourself."
"Don't be late home," Anna-Marie warned him firmly.
"I won't," he said and she held his gaze unconvinced. "I won't!" he repeated before she finally relaxed next to him. She took her brother's hand in his and patted it gently with her other hand. "Thank you for coming," he said.
"You're welcome, brother," she said before she leaned her head on his shoulder.
A while later, Anna-Marie sat in Scott and Jean's home as she waited for her host to join her. They were in the kitchen, while the children were upstairs on the second floor, in a little play room, just off the stairs. It was getting late and the new governess was entertaining the children upstairs, giving them a chance to speak in privacy.
"Maddy is coming to see you," Jean informed Anna-Marie, as she rounded the table, placing them on the table. "She's all grown up and a bit frightened of you. The belle of Utopia's society," she said, finally sitting across from her. Though Jean had to take her time, her belly, large with child, had to be accounted for as she sat.
"Is that who I am?" Anna-Marie laughed bitterly and she watched her host take a long deep breath in anticipation of the conversation. "Jean," she said. A beat passed as her sister-in-law met her gaze, she found a hard look there. "Scott's told me," she said and Jean's hardened expression evaporated to make way for tears. "Oh, Jean, I'm so sorry, from the bottom of my heart," she said as earnestly as she could muster.
"I don't know what to do," Jean said.
"I know, sugar, I know," Anna-Marie said gently.
"I can't bear to be with him," she cried. "And Scott doesn't care. He got what he wanted," she hissed.
"What he wants is you," Anna-Marie said. "Scott loves you, Jean. You and the children are everything ta him."
"Are we?" she retorted. "Is there room for a governess?" she asked.
"That was shameful, disgraceful, but it ain't love," Anna-Marie said. "It was the animal in him, not the soul. Scott's remorse is from the soul."
"What about me? Does his remorse make it easier for me?"
"I know y'all are suffering. But Jean, ya gotta tell me, is there enough love left in your heart to forgive him?" she asked.
"When I think of him and Emma together I can't forgive him. No," she said firmly.
"So you'd rather accept your fate?" she asked.
"My fate?" she asked before tears returned. "But I haven't done anything," she exclaimed. "It's him who-"
"Do you love him, Jean?" she asked, interrupting her. The look on her face was evident. Anna-Marie reached forward and took Jean's hand. "Ya'll love each other, but ya can't forgive him one little infatuation. So, y'all are gonna continue to live like this forever?" she asked.
Jean pulled back her hand, sitting up straight in her seat.
"I was on bedrest, Anna-Marie. Doctor's orders. We hired Emma to help, to lessen my load and she- Emma was meant to discipline the children. Not Scott!" she exclaimed.
"I know, sugar, what Scott did was wrong. But ya gotta decide if his mistake is gonna dictate the rest of your life," she said. "Just think about that, okay?" she asked. Jean nodded slowly, before there was a knock at the door. "Maddy?" she asked. Another nod and Jean excused herself to let her sister in.
Once Maddy had arrived, all talks of the affair ended. Instead, she, Jean & Maddy relocated to the second floor to the children's playroom, while the new governess prepared each of the children's rooms for bed. Anna-Marie sat with little Rachel as she dressed her doll and fussed with its hair, the little wooden blocks with letters on them, forgotten by the girl as her attention turned. Anna-Marie found herself playing with them, in want of something to touch. The twins each had a wooden sword as they were dueling to Jean's and Maddy's delight, while little Nate sat in his Aunt Maddy's lap.
There was the sound of a door opening.
"I'm home," Scott declared loudly.
"Daddy!" the identical twin boys exclaimed at the same time, dropping their swords, their pretend strife dismissed. Rachel and little Nate Grey were also up quickly chasing after the twins as they ran to the door. Anna-Marie shared a glance with Jean, giving her an encouraging look to go and greet her husband.
With a deep breath, Jean stood and followed after the children, leaving her alone with Maddy.
"Will you stay for the ball, Anna-Marie?" Maddy asked innocently enough. She paused, hesitating to answer. Magnus hadn't wanted to go, never-the-less stay a week to attend the ball. Her husband expected her back, sooner rather than later.
"Oh, I always feel dull at a ball," she said, deflecting as Scott entered the room with a gaggle of laughing children; holding the twins, one beneath each arm.
"Scott, tell Anna-Marie she must come to the ball," Maddy said.
"Well, of course, she should," he said immediately and Anna-Marie held her brother's gaze, silently telling him that wasn't correct. He shrugged at her, as if to say, 'you're already here.' "Well, come along children and introduce me to your new governess," he said as Anna-Marie moved a block or into place. She blinked, glancing down and realized she unconsciously spelled out a certain name.
"But she's old," little Nate exclaimed.
"She's a hundred," Rachel added.
Anna-Marie and Maddy shared a glance, before she felt prompted to change the subject. "I know why ya want me to come. You want everyone to be there, 'cause you're sure it's going to be your night," she pointed out.
Maddy giggled nervously before asking, "How do you know?"
Anna-Marie gestured down toward the blocks with her chin and Maddy gasped slightly to see the name: Vronsky. "I know everything," she proclaimed and Maddy giggled. "Oh, to be your age again," she sighed. "I was twenty too, when Ah got married," she said.
"Aunt Maddy, come read me a story!" a little voice shrieked from the other room. Anna-Marie smiled at the younger girl before she promptly left the room, leaving her alone.
Utterly alone…
She sat for a while and found her thoughts drifting, not toward her husband, but rather the handsome man only two years younger than her and nine years older than Maddy. Remy would've been a better match for her, surely.
Anna-Marie gasped as she fought back that thought, uncertain where'd it come from. She blinked several times as she heard the door opening again.
'Now who could that be,' she asked, in fear of more drama. Standing she crept out into the hall to see, at the top of the stairs to see the butler letting in-
"Is Summer's home?" Remy asked. Anna-Marie felt her heart skip a beat as she saw him so close, yet so far away.
"Yes, but he's just gone up, I believe," the butler informed him as Remy's crimson eyes shifted upwards and met her. Anna-Marie stood transfixed, unable to move.
"Is nobody receiving, mon ami?" Remy asked, holding her gaze.
"I don't believe so, sir," the butler answered as Remy tilted his head, a slight smirk playing at his lips. She felt compelled, as she started to a step forward, toward him-
'Oh my god,' she gasped in her mind as she forced herself to break eye-contact and pull back from the top of the stairs, her back now up against the wall as her breaths were coming fast. What was it about those eyes that made her wish to get lost within them?
No! She loved her husband. She loved her son.
'Maybe I should just go home,' she told herself.
'But do you truly want to?' another voice asked.
No, not really. She'd had more meaningful conversations today then she did in a week's time on Utopia. Magnus wouldn't begrudge her a ball, would he? It was only a week. Maybe once she returned, he'd realized that absences made the heart grow fonder? Maybe her husband would feel compelled to put another child in her womb. That was a comforting thought. A promising thought. Anna-Marie was constantly waiting on Magnus and when his schedule allowed them time to be together. Why shouldn't she make him wait for once?
Anna-Marie took a deep breath, her hand on her stomach before she spun around and then, peered back around the corner, looked down the stairs. Remy's back was turned, he was leaving, thank god.
Besides, by attending the ball, she'd be supporting Maddy, to be there for her big moment, Remy's proposal. Then both of them would be spoken for and anything else would simply be impossible. She almost felt like, for her peace of mind, she needed to see that.
It was decided. She was staying.
Anna-Marie entered the grand ballroom, arm in arm with her brother. Jean, utterly pregnant, chose to stay home. The flowing green dress she wore was an unforeseen expense of visiting with family while traveling light. Magnus wouldn't be mad. They had more money they knew what to do with. She was often inclined to donate. He wouldn't be mad.
Maddy, having arrived separately, made her way across the dance floor after spotting them and Anna-Marie was greeted with her cheery disposition.
"Want to dance?" she asked, glancing around as if searching for a suitable partner for her.
"No, ask Scott," she answered at once, before looking to her left: she made eye contact with Remy and- "Well, come on," she said to Scott now dragging him onto the dance floor, escaping another encounter with Count Vronsky. She smiled at her brother as they swept across the dance floor, only briefly meeting Remy's gaze to watch him take a drag from his cigarette, obviously staring at her before she looked at him.
She averted her gaze again, returning her attention to her brother before-
Oh good, Remy was dancing with Maddy, as it should be. Yet, his eyes were on her, where they weren't welcomed…right?
"Are you unwell, sir?" she heard Maddy asked her partner.
"I'm fine, petite," he answered. "Don't you worry 'bout me," he said before she heard Maddy giggle. Glancing up. She saw Remy was spinning around, giving Maddy the thrill she was seeking. And still, again, those crimson eyes were on her.
Anna-Marie needed to leave the dance floor and get out of sight, stop distracting him from who he should want. Pulling her brother aside, she did just that, finding a little corner, where no one would pay much attention to her, without looking like she was running away. Instead, she's appear to take in the dancing from afar as so many others were.
"Am I free to drink?" Scott asked.
"I release you," she grinned, her brother bowed his head, turning to- "Within reason, Scott," she added, a hand on his arm.
"I'll have but one vice tonight and it will not anger my wife, I promise," he said.
"And Ah promised to keep an eye on you. Don't make me a liar," she said firmly.
"Yes, ma'am," he said before departing her company.
'I'm going home,' she told herself, now, having wished she never stayed. 'Tomorrow,' she thought as she kept her eyes on the dance floor- as she-
She felt eyes on her, again. She looked around and- Remy was now on the upper floor, there was a balcony that encircled the entire ballroom and he was standing upon it, somehow at the perfect angle to keep his gaze fixed upon her, still her, again her.
Anna-Marie's breath was caught in her throat as she held it, his gaze, crimson eyes staring into hers. Why couldn't she look away? And why was he so intent to glance at her?
She blinked needing to-
Oh, god, Maddy saw! Maddy saw it all! Saw them looking at each other!
Anna-Marie cast her gaze down, wanting nothing else then to be invisible. She never should have stayed.
"I am. I really am," Scott's voice caught her attention and she saw her wayward brother leading a younger girl onto the dance floor. Anna-Marie rolled her eyes. The girl was the same age as Maddy. The dance would do no harm, other than give the girl someone of no consequence to practice with. That was fine.
Anna-Marie glanced back up at the balcony and blinked as she saw Remy had moved. Good, maybe he was seeking out Maddy to apologize.
"Hello, Chere."
Anna-Marie felt every hair on the back of her neck stand as she felt his breath there. She quickly turned and found herself face-to-face with Remy. He was standing even closer than he had on the train, mere inches away from touching her and the look in those eyes told her he wanted to.
"Dance with me," he all but demanded.
"I'm not used to being spoken to that way by a man I met once at a railway station," she said, leaning against a marble column, seeking some distance, all she managed to do was allow him to corner her, as he stepped forward.
"Chere, if I don't get to dance with you, then I'm going home," he threatened and she felt a pleasurable tingle run down her spine. She could touch him, if she said yes, he would hold her in his arms-
"For Maddy's sake then," Anna-Marie muttered as she thrust forward. In an instant her arm was on his shoulder, his on her hip and two of the hands were clasped together as he spun her out onto the ballroom dance floor.
She had no business dancing with him, as well she knew, and a few gasps she heard in the room told her others knew it as well.
But the tighter he held her wrist, the longer he spun her around, the closer his breath was on her cheek and the deeper she gazed into her eyes; the rest of the room, the party, it all slipped away and she only saw him; utterly transfixed, helpless.
His hands ran up and down her arms. He was lifting her and she giggled like a school girl at the joy of rising up into the air, as he spun her around and around and around. She felt weightless, shuddering as he held her close to lower her feet back to the ground, her body flush against his. The indecency of it all- why didn't she care?
God, she could do this all night.
"I'm under your spell, Count," she muttered.
"That's the idea, Chere," he said smugly before his hand was back around her wrist, hers on his shoulder as she twirled them about, dancing circles around the others.
Right, the others! The room was full, wasn't it?
With effort, she tore her eyes away from Remy's, to see many many many more eyes set upon them. Hands were being held over mouths, whispers exchanged between concerned parties. She lost track of music. How long had her and Remy been dancing? Couldn't have been more than one waltz, right?
Where was Maddy? She needed to find Maddy and she needed to get Maddie and Remy dancing now. It never should've been her. It always should have been Maddy.
Oh, god, Maddy looked cross. She tore away from Remy, pulling herself from his arms and walked straight up to Maddy. The younger girl looked vexed, nearly on the verge of tears.
"I'm sorry," Anna-Marie muttered as she circled the girl and gave her a light push towards Remy. Maddy walked up to him and- thank god, they were finally dancing.
She was going home, tomorrow, on the first train. She never should've stayed this long. Scott and Jean could visit her next time, under better circumstances. They could bring the children. How lovely would that be to see Scott's boys playing with her little Charles?
This would be the end of it.
There were no tickets available for the first train as it turned out, nor the second. She waited at the station, not daring to go anywhere else. It was late afternoon when she finally boarded and well into the night before the train pulled into Utopia's station. As she exited the train, she took a deep breath, sighing in relief. She was home- she was safe-
"Hello, Chere." With widened eyes, Anna-Marie saw Remy standing beside her. She had no idea where he'd come from, but only knew he was entirely too close. "Can I be of service to you?" he asked.
God, she wanted to slap him.
"Why are you leaving Westchester?" she asked accusingly, somehow there wasn't a doubt in her mind that he was following her.
"What else can I do, Chere? A man goes where he's needed," he answered, confirming her suspicion.
"I don't need ya, Cajun," she said, her voice shaking.
"Dontcha?" he asked, taking another step, closing the gap between them, they may as well have been dancing again, he was close enough to hold her.
"Stop! That's enough," she declared. "Go back to Maddy," she ordered, one of them needed to stay sane.
"No," he said, shaking her head. Anna-Marie felt her heart skip a beat.
"This is wrong," she said.
"It makes no difference to me, Cher," he said.
"You have no right," she said next, tears welling in her eyes.
"It makes no difference," he repeated more forcefully and searched his eyes knowing he meant that.
"You havta forget me. If you're a good man, you'll forget all about me," she said, her voice unsteady.
"Who says I'm a good man?" he asked as he leaned in to-
A whistle blew and she turned her head, dodging his attempt to kiss her. She hurried away from him, her bags forgotten. She'd send someone to fetch them. All that mattered was she needed distance between her and Remy before she did something she could never take back.
Her husband. She needed to find Magnus. She needed to hold her son. She needed to go home.