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“With pleasure,” I snarl.
With that, I do what I should have done in the first place and make a swift exit. Upon closing the doors behind me, I sink against them. Sighing, I run a hand over my hair, surprised that I didn’t end up burning down the entire damn manor.
I need to calm myself down before I return to Althia. She cannot see me like this.
I dust myself off and take a deep breath. There is a mating ceremony to be planned, and I need to be sharp in mind in order to manage it.
I don’t find myself shocked that Velora echoes Mother’s sentiments. She is merely a pawn, a perfect child in their eyes because she does everything that is asked of her.
Sighing in disappointment, I walk away from the common room, keen to rejoin Althia. Right now, she is the only person that I can stand.
12
ALTHIA
The afternoon heat is a little higher than usual for springtime in Pyrthos but is more than welcome. A feeling of tranquility washes over me as I sit by the treeside on the hill with Nexus. He purrs lowly as he curls up beside me.
Such a stillness I’ve never experienced before. I glance down at my open hands, wondering if this is where I truly belong.
Part of me still feels as though I have to be entrenched in menial work at this time of the day. A concept like rest and relaxation is bizarre and new to me. The only repose I’ve ever known is the three or four hours of sleep I’d get every night while still in the lowtowns.
I look back at the city. While all of me still needs to catch up to living here in the manor, there is one thing I certainly cannot deny.
“I could get used to this life.” A wave of joy overwhelmingly washes over me. It’s as if I’m living in a dream where I have everything I could ever want, one which I do not wish to wake up from.
The food, the warm beds… Not to mention not having to look over my shoulder half the damn time.
My eyes come to rest on the unfinished painting, reminding me of its artist. The talented, handsome, and considerate chivdouyu who, like a saving grace, had swept me up from the dirty streets.
“Being his mate… That is still something I am not so sure of. Is it too soon, I wonder?” I ponder to myself for a moment before smiling. “It’s not even supposed to be a legitimate partnership, just a ruse to annoy his parents. So why am I thinking about it so hard?”
At that moment, Nexus perks his head up, tilting it back to peer at me. He trills.
“Yeah, you’re right, Nexus,” I tell him, scratching behind his ear. “I should stop overthinking things, but I have to be sure about the choices I’m making for myself. You know what I mean?”
I imagine the creature’s voice talking back to me, wondering what wisdom such a beautiful animal would impart to a human like me. In Valkus’ absence, his companion more than makes up for it as good company.
After a short while, Valkus eventually reappears. I turn my head back to the slope leading up from the gardens when I hear his familiar footsteps. I spring to my feet and leap at him. My heart melts when I hear him laugh.
“How was everything?” I ask.
“Oh, it was fine,” he mumbles, shrugging his shoulders.
“May I ask what pulled you away?”
“Nothing too exciting.”
“Valkus.” I chuckle. “I’m from the lowtowns. Anything that goes on here is quite thrilling for me. Don’t be shy, share with me!”
“Alright. It was just my sister, Velora. She came to visit.”
I part from him, turning my body back in the direction of the manor. “Should I go say hi? I don’t want to be rude.”
Valkus’ face drops as he casts a downward gaze. Did I hit a nerve?
“It’s best that you don’t,” he tells me. “She’s having tea with my mother so she’s occupied.”
“Valkus, is there something else that you’re not telling me?”
