Valerie glittered into the pastures of Havenfield. It had been a hard week for everyone. After the revelation about Alvar, Keefe had run off with the Neverseen. Sophie came home crying and didn't leave her room for two days, which left telling Fitz that his best friend had betrayed them to Valerie. It was not a good night at the Vackers. Biana had immediately run to her room crying; Della had collapsed onto the couch and sat silently; Alden had nodded solemnly and locked himself in his office; Fitz's face had gone red as he tried to hold back his anger. His fists had clenched and started quivering. Before long, he was screaming his questions at her. Valerie had stood there, taking the heat as Fitz let out his anger. By the end of the night, she had been exhausted both physically and emotionally.
Personally, she had had a hard time dealing with it too. She couldn't believe that Keefe would betray them. At least, not the Keefe she knew.

She walked to the house and knocked.

Grady answered the door. "Valerie."

"Any change?" She asked.

He gave her a heartbreaking expression and shook his head.

Valerie nodded. "Mind if I talk to her?"

Grady stepped aside and ushered her in.

Valerie met Sandor at the top of the stairs and hugged him without thinking.

"Woah!" His familiar squeaky voice sounded so good.

"I'm sorry." She pulled away. "I just missed seeing you shadow Sophie."

The corners of his mouth twitched as he held back a smile. "It's good to see you too, Miss Endal."

She chuckled and pushed past him.

Sophie's room was dark and Valerie could just see her lying on the bed. Sighing, she clapped her hands and the drapes slid aside.

Sophie groaned and sat up, dark circles under her eyes. She squinted at Valerie. "What are you doing here?"

Valerie walked over and sat on Sophie's bed. "I'm here to make sure you're okay." She pushed some stray hairs behind Sophie's ears. "How are you holding up?"

Sophie took a deep breath before breaking down and leaning into Valerie's shoulder. "Not good."

Valerie wrapped her arms tightly around Sophie's quivering body. "It's okay." She stroked Sophie's hair. "I'm right here." She rocked back and forth. "It's going to be okay."

They sat together on the bed like that for almost an hour. Sophie was devastated and Valerie felt helpless, holding back her own tears. Sometimes she hated having to be the strong one.
————
Valerie closed the door behind her, leaning against the wooden planks. She glanced over at where Prentice lay motionless on a cot. She took several deep breaths then collapsed to the floor, sobbing, her shoulders shaking. She buried her face in her knees, hugging her legs to her chest.

Someone wrapped their arms around her and Valerie pressed into the embrace.

Wylie squeezed his sister tightly, letting her tears soak his shirt. "I'm sorry Val."

She nestled her head under his chin.

They sat there up against the door until Valerie had no more tears left to cry and longer, Wylie stroking her hair.