Viridian

Chapter 16

"I should probably go, it's getting kinda late," Manisha says, putting down her mug of hot chocolate we drank after dinner on the coffee table.

"Out the door this time?" I tease. She smiles, standing up, stretching her body. "If I must," she feigns disappointment. "I'll see you later," she walks over to the door, stopping as her hand reaches the doorknob. "Oh, Adhira," she calls, turning her head back towards me, her eyes glowing green with magic. "Cato's back. Just thought you'd like to know," she smirks, part of me believing she's reading what happened between me in him in my mind. She leaves without another word.

Cato's back. Am I supposed to go check on him? I look down at my watch: 11:48. It's kinda late. I know there's been a lot of... tension between us and stuff, but it's not like we're dating. I don't have to check on him, right? Am I supposed to?

Your indecisiveness is stifling, Princess

I'm shocked at the sudden thought that popped into my head. Clearing my mind, I form the sentence, sending it back to him: Stay out of my head, Highness. I feel his chuckle radiate through me.

Afraid of what I might find?

Afraid for your male ego of what you won't, I correct. This is crazy. I get up and head to the bathroom, stripping and heading into the shower, the warm water relaxing me. Getting out, I sigh, heading to my bed where, sure enough, my pajamas are laid out for me: a green nightdress with black lace accents, coming to rest at my upper thigh. I roll my eyes sending Cato a message. You've got to stop picking out my clothes for me.

I have excellent taste, thank you, his response comes a few minutes later after I've crawled under the covers of my bed.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Whatever helps me sleep... because if that's the case, I have some ideas, Princess. I can sense his growl even in my head.

I'm not surprised, I roll my eyes.

Did you just roll your eyes, Adhira. I sit up, convinced he's spying on me.

Are you watching me?

No, I just know you well enough to sense sarcasm. I sit back down, not entirely convinced.

Where did you go today? I change the subject.

You should go to bed.

Answer me, Cato.

I went to fix a problem. Cryptic.

And did you?

For now.

Can you just give me a straight answer for once!

I don't think you'll like the answer I give you if I do. I think about that for a minute.

You kidnapped me Cato, remember? I think I can handle whatever you're about to tell me.

I did what I had to do to protect my people. Once again, cryptic.

And that was? Silence. And then...

I went hunting. A chill rushes through my body. You should go to bed.

Are you hurt? I don't realize I'm holding my breath for his response until it comes.

Mildly... I'm up and out the door before I register what I'm doing. I make it through a few hallways before I hear him. Adhira?

Where. It's not a request and he knows it.

Left, he begins instructing me until I come to his door.

"What happened?" I ask, swinging the door open, looking around for him. He climbs off the edge of his bed in his green boxers, but all I can see is the scar on his abdomen. "Cato!" I yell, running towards him, placing my hand gently over the red skin.

"It's not a big deal," he assures me, trying to take my hand away.

"You have a foot long scar running down our chest, Cato," I shout, ripping my hands out of his grasp. "That's a big deal."

"It'll heal. I already had a Savant look at it, that's why it's already forming a scar."

"What happened," I ask, finally meeting his eyes. "No lies."

"The Creon were attacking one of my villages." I swallow, remembering what happened the last time I saw the Creon.

"And?" I push forward.

"They tried to take my heart." His words run shivers over my body. I look at his scar, the perfectly straight line running down his chest, giving the assaulter the perfect access to his heart. I feel sick.

"It's alright, I'm alright, Princess," Cato cooes, reaching for me in an attempt to calm me down but I pull away from his hands, afraid to hurt him. "Najiba stopped them," he assures me.

"What happened to them," I ask, focusing purely on his scar, my emotions changing to rage.

"Adhira...,"

"What. Happened." I enunciate.

"I killed them."

"I wish you hadn't," I pause. "They should have suffered before you ended their lives." I can sense his shock without meeting his eyes.

"They did."

"Good." I turn on my heel, making my way towards the door.

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Bonjourno! So, this one was a fun experience because when I wrote it in google docs I changed the font and I didn't know how that would translate over... but here she is. Anyone have any fun plans for Easter?

 - Nicole Winters