Chapter 352. Coaxing Lull (2)

Raina’s POV 

"And you will," Valen stated calmly as he applied shampoo to my burgundy roots, clipping my hair up so it could sit for a few minutes. "But it can wait until later; there are more important things to take care of."

"No, there isn't," I pressed as the guilt joined my hunger, eating me away from the inside out. "I-I did something awful… really shitty. I…I can’t-I…"

I cringed at my own inability to get the words out of my mouth.

“Shh,” he cooed. He rinsed my hair, shielding my forehead with his hand, and took up another bottle.

“Valen, it affects us.” I tried again, my stomach twisting as my voice came out smaller now. “It’s important.”

"So are you, Bluebella," he insisted quietly, working in the conditioner, massaging my scalp with firm