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“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”
“Well, give it your all tonight, and I guarantee you that you’ll sleep easy the second your head hits the pillow.”
“Thanks, Calindra. You always know just what to say.”
“Looks like it’s time. Come on then!”
We link arms and watch as the curtain parts, unveiling the raised platform. The deafening cheers of the crowd drown out everything else. I quickly check my veil is secure before we all step onto the platform.
I come face to face with the entire population of the city, instinctively waving and smiling.
These people cheer for the beautiful, talented women I share the platform with, all of whom are the epitome of beauty, skill, and grace.
So why, then, do they cheer for you?the intrusive voice in my head says.You are nothing but a fraud. You don’t deserve to be adored by the thousands who chant your name.
I try to remember who I am and how I got here but I cannot think straight, at least not for a moment but those few seconds feel like hours.
Why are you standing amongst those whom you do not belong with?
My face aches with the smile I strain to keep displayed. For a passage of time that’s not clear to me, the crowd transforms into a wave of demons, itching and clawing to get their hands on me.
I know what they want – to drag me down to my self-induced doom. Behind my forced smile, I am fighting to keep myself from going insane, seemingly moments away from snapping at any given moment.
It’s then that I spot the dark elf who snaps me back to reality, the very same one who is responsible for all of this.
“Carus?” I mutter. The crowd cheers so loud that no one hears a word I say. I can’t believe he’s here, the one who causedme to break my vows, the one who’s trying to take everything from me.
Of course, he’s here. Everyone knew the priestesses would be here tonight… I bet he gets off on tormenting me like this.
Despite my frustrations with Carus, the other side of my feelings for him begin simmering at the surface. My pulse quickens in the blink of an eye, causing me to feel breathless.
Just in time comes the break. I only realize it when Calindra gently guides me off stage.
“See? That wasn’t so bad, now was it? We can rest up now if need be.”
“Yeah,” I choke out, quickly turning to leave. “I’m just going to catch some fresh air. I’ll be back sooner than you know.”
“Wait, Shana!” she calls out, but it’s too late. I’ve already disappeared out of her sight when I hear my name bounce between the walls. I turn a corner and begin running through the corridors, desperate to reach the sanctuary of the gardens.
The roar of the crowd echoes in the distance. I need to get away from it all, to where I can be by my lonesome.
I see Carus’s beautiful face in my mind, remembering how he gazed at me with a look of longing in his eyes.
Even from afar, the connection between us remains potent. It’s wrong, but I crave his touch along my skin. I remember his passionate kisses with fondness. Desperation settles in, caught between a fight between my emotions and my rationality.
I wind, twist, and turn through the many hallways. The gardens may be far, but I take comfort in knowing that no one will bother me there.
“There’s no way I can go back out and face everyone,” I mutter to myself. “I do not deserve their love or praise.”
Anyone nearby would have thought of me as a mad woman. I’m just trying to escape, but even then I do not know what it is I’m trying to flee from.
Is it the raucous attendees or my fears? Or could it be Carus?
I dash a stray tear away. I hear nothing now and slow my pace down. The gardens are just up ahead.
Sighing with relief, I turn a corner, where my very brief moment of peace comes to an abrupt halt. I bump into someone’s solid chest, bewildered for a split second as no one is meant to be here.
I take a step back, hands flying upward to cover my mouth when I see who stands in front of me. I swear it’s a nightmare coming to life when my eyes come to rest upon the dark elf, Carus.
