Into the Ether - Complete

The Winter of Our Discontent: Part 20

Lissa left for Canada the next day without saying goodbye. I wasn't sure whether it was because she was angry with me for shouting at her, or whether it was because I wasn't at breakfast. I didn't avoid breakfast intentionally – I was just on my knees with my head hanging over a toilet bowl. It was like my stomach had decided that now my pregnancy had been confirmed, it was going to make sure I was in absolutely no doubt about it. In any case, by the time I'd emerged onto main campus at lunchtime, Lissa, Christian, and Tasha had already left with Brandon and his family.

I'd checked in with Alberta, and as Lissa had promised, the Lazar's chalet was going to be well guarded. As Royals, the family was already well served by Guardians, but since there were so many Moroi away from campus visiting their families, Alberta had managed to send an additional three Academy Guardians to help bolster security.

I was relieved. I understood as a guest herself Lissa hadn't been in a position to extend the invitation to include me. And if I was brutally honest about it, as long as she was well protected I was grateful for the break. My little discovery was never far from my mind, and I needed a little time to try and figure out what the hell I was going to do. Also, Tasha was starting to really irritate me. I just couldn't handle the way she was carrying on about Dimitri.

"Lissa looked upset this morning," Eddie said looking at me shrewdly as he ate his lunch.

"Oh?" I asked, giving nothing away.

"Yeah. Still, I suppose a couple of weeks off campus skiing with Christian will cheer her up," he added.

"Suppose so," I said with feigned disinterest, meanwhile eyeing the food in front of me suspiciously.

I'd read the first few chapters of the pregnancy book and on its advice was trying a bit of dry toast. Being the cafeteria, it was left over from breakfast, so it was cold and not particularly appetizing – but the book had made it clear I needed to eat. Nibbling at it cautiously, I was relieved when I was able to keep it down. In fact, my empty stomach welcomed it. So after finishing the first piece, I returned to get another three. Feeling adventurous I even spread a little butter on the last slice and was thrilled to find that it vastly improved the flavor.

"Why are you eating toast for lunch?" Mason asked, coming to sit beside me.

"Because I missed breakfast," I grumbled.

Mason laughed. He knew better than to stand between me or question me about food at the best of times.

"We're going to go skating after lunch, do you want to come?"

"Sure, why not," I mumbled. I was feeling pretty flat so could probably use some company.

Once we got to the lake, we found it busy. Turns out we weren't the only ones who'd thought to spend the afternoon on the ice. We'd been there for a couple of hours when I saw Celeste appear with a little girl. Stella, I realized. I skated over with Eddie and Mason.

"Hey, Celeste! Is this your sister Stella?" I asked, giving the little girl a friendly smile. "I'm Rose, and this is Eddie and Mason. Your sister has been so excited about you coming to visit!" I said to her.

Stella was a dead ringer for Celeste, but given they were supposed to be sisters that was unremarkable. She was a pretty little thing, and Celeste was clearly delighted to have her here – both of them were grinning from ear to ear.

"Yep, this is Stella. Mom and Dad aren't into skating, but Stella and I love it," she said, gesturing over towards the edge where a Dhampir woman and Moroi man were sitting on one of the benches overlooking the lake. "We do it every Christmas, don't we Stell?"