“From who?” he growled.
She took a sharp step back. “None of your business.”
His lips parted, as if he intended to argue. Then, muttering a curse, he gave a regretful shake of his head.
“Serra, I’m sorry. I . . .” His words were cut off as she turned away, her fingers rubbing her temple as she struggled against persistent murmurs. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Of course he couldn’t leave it there.
Fane might not allow her any place in his life, but he was happy enough to shove his handsome nose in hers.
“You seem distracted.”
“You’re not the only one who has a life and duties.”
“Serra.” He gently touched her shoulder. “Look at me.”
She hissed at the pleasure that seared through her, desperately wanting to turn and bury herself against his hard body. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but she was certain being in his arms would make it all better.
A dangerous illusion, she sharply reminded herself.
Fane didn’t want her in his arms.
Not now. Not ever.
“Go away, Fane,” she commanded, shrugging off his hand.
“You’re in pain.”
“I’m tired.” She grimaced, not about to admit she was feeling increasingly queasy. “I want you to leave so I can lie down.”
“Do you need a healer?”
“Oh for Christ’s sake.” She whirled back to stab him with a furious glare. Was he deliberately trying to piss her off? “Just go.”
He studied her for a long moment. A romantic fool might think he was trying to preserve his last memory of her.
But she wasn’t a romantic fool. Not anymore.
Perhaps sensing her fierce need to have him gone, Fane gave a slow, solemn dip of his head.
“Good-bye, Serra.”
She didn’t bother with good-bye as he turned and left her apartment.
They’d said everything that needed to be said.
At midafternoon the corridors of Valhalla were mostly empty. A good thing since Fane was in the mood to knock aside anyone stupid enough to get in his way.
Why had he gone to Serra?
He knew that she was hurting. And that he was the cause.
But the memory of her wounded expression as he’d walked away from her earlier had haunted him until he’d been driven into seeking her out. As if he could somehow ease her pain.
Idiot.