Chapter 11
With a heavy heart and exhausted soul, Nora stripped off her clothes and sank into the hot bath Afet had prepared for her. Her eyes stung from how dry they were and her palms burned from how much she had dug her nails into them all day. Nora felt her muscles release the tension they had been holding as her body sunk into the clawed tub.
I love you.
The memory of Hayden's words spoken in the darkness of his room brought fresh tears to Nora's eyes. She didn't even know it was possible for her to cry any more. But each time she remembered how he had held her and told her he loved her, Nora's chest ached for him.
Nora raised her arm and looked at her skin. She watched the faint blue glow underneath shimmering like the reflection of water. Her heart swelled as she remembered what Hayden's mark meant. Her fingers gently traced over her skin, making her long for the boy even more.
"Nora?"
Nora looked up as Afet knocked on the door.
"Just a minute," Nora said, wiping her eyes and carefully rising in the rub.
She grabbed the towel and wrapped it around herself before walking across the large bathrooms and throwing the door open.
"I bought you something to eat," Afet said.
"Thank you," Nora knew there was no way she would be able to get any food into her system.
"I also found something for you to wear," the fey pointed to the pile of neatly folded clothes sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Thanks," Nora reached for the extra towel to dry her ends.
"Is there anything else you need?"
Nora paused, "Yes..."
"What is it?"
"Did you..." Nora's throat tightened. "Did you know my birth mother?"
With a deep breath, Afet nodded her head, "I did."
"What about my father?"
"I knew both of them," Afet said. "You were born on this island. Your parents were married by Udara."
For the hundredth time, Nora's eyes watered, "What...what were they like?"
"Why don't you get dressed?" Afet gave a small smile. "I will sit and eat with you tonight."
Nora sniffled and wiped her eyes. Her head was starting to pound from the stress and tension building a home inside. She quickly pulled on the night gown Afet had brought for her and tossed her damp hair into the towel. When she was ready she walked over to where the fey waited for her by the bay window.
"Do you like soup?" Afet asked, holding out the bowl.
"Sometimes," Nora said.
"It's good for the cold weather we have here."
Nora slowly nodded. She picked up her leg and folded them in front of her as Afet handed her a spoon and a slice of bread. She pretended to stir her soup to cool it down but in reality, she had no appetite.
"Your mother was Wendlyn Adamos," Afet began. "The guardians found her when she was fifteen years old. They brought her here and she started her new life, helping with the children and the Shajara."
"And my father?"
Afet smiled fondly, "August Rossi."
"I'm Italian?" Nora arched her brow causing Afet to burst into laughter.
