Page 160 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

“How did you know?”

“Elias,” he said with the same disdain in his voice. “You didn’t even say goodbye. Was that night that terrible?”

I gulped. “It wasn’t terrible, and you were so peacefully asleep.” I’d never found a man adorable, let alone when they sleep, snore and drool. But I’d caught myself twice smiling down at his little sleeping face—my stomach had done that somersaulting thing and my toes had curled like an infatuated idiot.

He did that insanely annoying thing with his tongue pushing on his cheek and I couldn’t help but feel frustrated and giddy. “Not terrible, huh?”

“Mhm.” I cleared my throat. “I suppose we should bid goodnight.”

“Are you tired?”

“Not really.”

“Then talk to me.”

“But you’re tired.”

He gave me a little smile. “Not anymore.”

My eyes went to that little dimple in his chin.

“Love?”

“Yes?”

That somehow made him smile again which then ended up making me feel faint because my heart galloped at the sight. “You answered.”

I shook my head. “What?”

“To love.”

“Oh, my mistake.”

That made him throw his head back with laughter.

“You make me dizzy,” I said.

“Concerning,” he said, cocking his head to the side with humour. “But I like it.”

“I don’t.”

He sighed and placed his hand on the mirror again. There was this look on his face, something between enamour and sadness. “Love, my love,” he whispered.

“Henrik.” A yawn suddenly made me all teary. He had that effect on me. I’d never felt safe sleeping next to someone. No one had ever made me feel safe enough to fall asleep near them.

“Go rest now.”

I nodded. “Good night.”

“Good night,” he said, backing away from the mirror. “I love you, Snow.”

The image faded, reflecting my sight back and it made me flinch.

The most beautiful dark he’d once called me. What I saw was neither beautiful nor the most beautiful. Nor someone you can love. How can anyone possibly love what I was? Would father love his new daughter?

We are born to simply be tolerated, Eren had once told me when I had asked why other children got hugs, sweet words, colourful toys, pretty pink bows and sweets without giving anything in exchange. I’d often wondered why they were adored and not beaten like we were. I was born to simply be tolerated. Another lie Eren had told me.

We were born to be hated.