#Chapter 421 – Thanks, but No Thanks

Ella

I’m quite tired when evening approaches in the refugee camp and Cora comes to my side, placing a hand on my back and telling me that we should probably head home. I sigh, looking around, knowing that I can do more but…

“I get it, Ells,” she says, looking around with me. “But there’s only so much we can do. And you’re a queen and a mom as much as a healer now. You’ve got to find a balance.”

“Is it normal to feel guilty?” I ask my sister, who has been working to heal people for much longer than I have. ” When you prioritize yourself, and other things, even though you know you can help people who are suffering?”

“It is,” Cora says with a little sigh. ”

But you, my big-hearted sister, probably feel it more keenly than most.

“Yeah,” I say, glancing over at Hank. ” He, for instance, compartmentalizes well.”

“Don’t count Hank out,” she says softly, shaking her head. “He’s got a big heart too. Maybe just…hides it better.”

I turn my head a little, considering him, considering her point. And then my heart aches for him again as I think of how disappointed he was when Cora left him for her mate – because as much as he loved her, we know now that he never stood a chance. Cora and Roger were written in the stars.

But is there someone out there for Hank too?

I hope, quite desperately, that there is. He’s so good, and he deserves that, like the rest of us.

“Ready, Luna?” Conner asks, coming over and bringing my baby with him, who reaches for me with his little grasping hands.

“Sure am!” I say, taking my baby and cuddling him close. Cora laughs and leans in as well, fussing over Rafe and I can see thinking about her own little baby, who will be here so much sooner than she realizes. Together, we start to walk out of the tent, but as I turn I hear a little voice calling me back.

and I turn and laugh to

him in a hug

corrects with a little frown, making me smile as he adjusts a set of glasses on his nose. Then, he peers down at Rafe. “Is this your

little so Benny can see him better. “What do you think of

burst out laughing at this, honestly charmed. “He’s not fat, he’s a baby! They’re supposed

still fastened on Rafe. ” This one’s gonna be

this time as Cora crouches down next to us. “Who are you?” Benny asks, looking Cora up and

his eyes at her. ” Oh,” he

going up. “Does my

again, “but she told me she has a human sister,” he continues, nodding towards me. “So, you can’t turn into

a little shrug. “But I’m going to have a baby soon,” she says, her hand settling on her stomach, “and he’s going to be able

own eyebrows going up now. Then he takes a moment to think before speaking again. “Does that mean

at this, falling back a little with the force of it so that Cora has to reach out a hand and steady me as

grinning at Benny, as delighted as I

to sneak out of bed – Dr. Hank

Benny turns to grin at

little as he mentions his mother again, but I do my best not to let

know, kid,” Isabel says, grinning down at him and giving me a wink. ” Maybe we’ll have Dr. Hank come and look at you again, see if you can’t

nods and consents to be led back to bed, calling his goodbyes to

stand up with Cora, sighing and watching

she says, and I look over at her in surprise to see a big grin on her face as she watches the little

“Really?” I ask.

question everything even though the world has

if Cora meant it as a compliment for Benny…well, he’s just so damn cute, and vivid, and determined that

geeze,” Cora says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and turning Rafe and

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255