44 - The Heart's Decision

Aniya blinked, confused until she realized that the covers had slipped away from her body and her breasts had managed to find their way out of her blouse while she slept. She quickly tucked them away, adjusting her dress.

After the guard had helped her to her room, she had started preparing to express her milk but strangely, she had fallen asleep.

Ula must be gone by now.

Aniya got out of bed to help the man on the floor. When she extended her hand to him, he took it but ensured that he kept his gaze to the floor.

“Who are you?”

“A omega, a servant. I saw nothing—”

“It is safe to look up.”

He did. Blood was running down the side of his face, the black curls that fell over his forehead hiding the cut away. He was just a little taller than she was, and he looked like he was around the same age as she was. Hiis clothes were enough to tell of his status, he also had the leanness of a servant.

“I ran here because I heard you screaming but now that you are alright—” he pulled his hand away abruptly and bowed sharply, and turned to leave but tripped once again, and fell but not as terrible as the first time.

His cheeks reddened with embarrassment and when she chuckled, the redness deepened.

This time she crouched in front of him.

“So you are no warrior but you ran in to save me?”

“I wasn't thinking.” He wasn't looking at her either, too embarrassed to.

“With a broom?”

“It was all I had.”

“You are brave,” she extended her hand to him and he looked at it, “and I am most grateful.”

When he took her hand this time, he looked up at her face, like he could see through her veil.

“They said you were ugly,” He said when finally helped him back on his feet.

She hummed, pulling back the veil off her face.

“They lied.”

“Of course they lied. I’m not ugly, just scarred.”

“Why do you use the veil?”

This was the most interested anyone here had ever been in her. It was pleasantly surprising and it calmed a rage she didn't even know she had before now.

“I detest sympathetic looks and those of disgust.” She shrugged, then smiled. “Also, I’ve developed a liking for veils. They are pretty.”

“Very pretty.”

She flashed him a smile and he smiled too, shyly. “Well, I must — I must—” he raised his broom. “Sweeping.” His words were shaky, his heart must be racing. He must be someone who avoided conversations. “You are alright. I didn't see anything— I’m sorry that I did. No! N-no, I really didn't see anything—”

She laughed again, finding his awkwardness fascinating. “What is your name?”

He took in a deep relief. “Syon?” It wasn't a question.

“Aniya.”

He nodded with a smile.

“Let me take care of—”

She pushed his hair back to see the cut on his forehead, touching his skin.

His eyes widened.

Quickly, he stepped away from her like she was fire and with an excuse that was nothing but a jumble of meaningless words, he bolted out of the room.

Aniya chuckled.

Such an awkward man.

He should join the Temple if the touch of a woman terrified him that much.

Aniya contemplated going back to the Stone Bleachers to find Ula but when she looked out through the window, there was hardly anyone outside.

There was no noise.

The Selection must have been over a long time ago.

Ula must have returned to the Temple too.

She would find her tomorrow then.

Feeling sleepy, Aniya locked her door and decided to settle back into bed while she worried about her son as it was now her routine …but there was something strange on her bed.

A lily.

Now, how did that get there?

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The image of Aniya vanished right in front of her as soon as she jolted awake.

Belladonna heaved a sigh of relief.

That meant that she wasn't dying anymore, right?

By Ignas, that was what it had to mean!

But what was that shadowy creature? Was that Ikrus? It couldn't be. Would she be able to fight it on her own? Was there a way she could go there and help—

Her thoughts came to a halt immediately when she heard footsteps behind her.

With the lantern in her hand, she turned slowly to whomever it was.

Remembering once again the uncertainty of whom she might see.

Like a whisper in the wind, she heard him before she saw him.

“Donna?”


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((There will be another chapter today to make up for these short chapters. Thank you for your understanding.))