Viridian

Chapter 18

I couldn't get the words out of my head as we walk throughout the streets of Rune. Manisha and I walk around, her pointing out the town bakery, the school, various shops, but all I could think about was Cato.

Make up your mind if you wish to stay or not.

I won't come after you

You'll be free, just as you wish

Was that really what I wished?

"Adhira?" Manisha asks, snapping my attention back to the present. "You alright?"

"Yeah, sorry," I offer a smile. "I'm just thinking about something Cato said, that's all."

"Ahh, lover boy," her expression changing from worry to smugness.

"Come again?" I ask, unable to help my laugh at the odd term.

"Oh, come on!" she giggles, linking her arm in mine. "The man looks at you as if he's never seen a woman before. And you," she smirks. "You look at him like you're gonna light aflame... or I guess, charge electrically."

"Manisha!" I chuckle. Yeah right.

"You mean to tell me you two haven't done anything?" I blush, giving her the answer that I wouldn't have been able to say.

"Can we change the subject, please," I shake my head.

"Alright," she let's it go, reluctantly. "But try not to imagine Cato naked anymore while I'm describing the children's school," she laughs, nudging me. I roll my eyes nudging her back.

"Bell! Just the girl I was looking for!" Manisha calls, as we enter the bakery. "Adhira," she turns towards me. "This is Belladonna the best baker this side of Wall." I look her over. She's young, probably around the same age as Najiba, with caramel skin and a beautiful cornflower blue bob, the roots showing her original dark color. Her bright green eyes are lined with a similar blue to that of her hair and her blue apron covers her green dress.

"You flatter me," she responds quietly, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. Manisha simply swipes the comment away with her hand.

"Adhira over here loves to bake," she nudges me. "Maybe you can hook her up with a job," she jokes.

"We have actually been looking for some help," Bella starts. "But I doubt it would be up your alley, Princess," she finishes.

"I would love to work here!" I practically shout. "But I don't know how Cato will take it." If I stay that is. "And it's just Adhi," I finish, pushing away the formality. Bella smiles before Manisha asks her for two chocolate profiteroles. She disappears for a second, returning a moment later with the sweet pastries. "Go on, try them!" Belladonna urges, her shyness suddenly vanishing when in her comfort zone full of sweets. I take a bite of mine and I swear I'm in the afterlife. "I take it back," I muffle through my mouth full of sugar. "I don't want to work here. I am majorly underqualified." Belladonna laughs, grabbing a rag from her apron and cleaning the top counter.

"How come more people aren't in here?" I ask, taking another bite of the pastry. "We usually open at noon," she shrugs, pointing to the clock on the wall reading 11:34. "But Manisha over here can be very convincing," she finishes with a laugh. "We?" I ask, looking past her to try to find another worker. Sure enough, it's empty. "My fiancée," she smiles, a flicker appearing in her eyes before it disappears. "Fiancée?" I question, confused. But she looks so young. "Yes," she answers tightly. "It's his store." "Belladonna," Manisha starts. "Why don't you show her the kitchen, so she knows exactly what she would be getting into if she decides to work here." It's not lost on me that she took the opportunity to change the subject. "I'd love to!" Bella lights up again, gesturing for me to follow her.