Until Darkness Ascends

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It bothered her how he called her sunshine with that deep, subtle grin. It bothered her that he stole her breath without trying. And it bothered her how even though she tried to distance herself from him, he still found his way into her head. But above all else, it infuriated her how she fell hard, knowing very well he never intended to stay.

She knew that if she asked him, he would stay longer. He was protective and chivalrous in that way; he'd give his happiness for her comfort. But she couldn't live with herself knowing she took away what he'd always wanted.

He wanted to die. Maybe he wanted to see his wife once more or maybe he wanted to finally meet his truemate. She couldn't blame him. With such a tormented life and immortality, even she would beg for it all to end.

She wasn't mad at him. She was mad at herself. Because she foolishly fell for her knight in shining blades of fire.

She sighed deeply, closing the book in her lap. After she had announced her decision, they were called back to Olympia where she now roamed by herself most days. She was allowed to here; it was safe. Ezra had come with her, bringing his lover Sven. They hadn't spoken yet about the circumstances, but she was in no rush. Well, she wasn't, but the world was. The good times that had blessed the seas have suddenly ended, turning the ocean even colder than before. So the necessity for her marriage and consummation was pivotal to everyone except her and her fiancé.

The black cat that had crawled onto her lap was allowed to come with her after she'd beg for hours and hours. She knew it was a female somehow. And that plump, dark kitty jumped into her lap now on top of her book.

"You silly feline. You still need a name."

The purr took up space in the room, warming the coldness within her heart. She was so...sad. Not only was she marrying someone she did not love, but the person she did would die in a few days to come. And that... broke her heart. It tore her apart.

Her tears fell on the cat to which it raised its head and began cleaning her its fur. Cordelia smiled. "I'm sorry. I got you dirty. Oh, what should I do?"

Ironically and, not necessarily a bad thing, her fiancé wasn't attracted to her. She chuckled. That wasn't her fault. She just didn't have the equipment he liked. It was clear to everyone who was there, except the villagers, that she had chosen Ezra to save him from mutilation. And she would do it again, she didn't regret her decision.

A knock at the door made her jump. She shouted come in instead of moving the cat from her lap. Shockingly, Ezra and Sven reluctantly walked in.

"You need to know something about me," Ezra began. "I-" he stuttered. "We aren't just friends."

She cocked an eyebrow up. They didn't think she didn't know, did they?

"What the villager said he saw was true."

"We will accept any punishment," Sven added.

She didn't mean to but she laughed, covering her mouth from the bubbles of chuckles. "Oh, I know."

"You know?"

She nodded. "I figured it had to be correct."

Dread and shame filled their gaze. Ezra hung his head in shame more so than Sven, but it was clear that both had been beaten into sexuality submission. She gently moved the cat, standing up. "I don't mind," she started. "I don't care if you want to be with him. It really doesn't bother me." She shrugged, taking the hands of each male. "It shouldn't bother anyone. Love is love. But we will have to fake it around others, somewhat at least. I heard that Olympians are known to have," she blushed "threesomes, so maybe we can convince them of a polyamorous relationship? And when we are married, we can say that I am barren like the other Voltulorian women."