Chase Me, Empires Down Duology Book 1

Chapter Two: Maria

Bellona

The ring was cold. The room was cold. The only thing that had any warmth was the small pendant of my necklace that had gotten a bit warm from my fingers playing with it. It was a small reminder that I had duties to fulfill. Duties that I would not be able to get to if I marry.

Amo was cocky. He thought that everything should be his, and if refused? He'd want it more. His fingers had lingered over my hand when he'd slid the ring, and when I placed the ring on his hand, I felt his finger slide over the underside of my wrist, sending chills down my spine. When I looked up at him, his expression was neutral. He'd given me an innocent smile and that was it.

I stared at the ring now. The small silver band with several small diamonds engraved all around. There was a significantly larger diamond at the front. I ran a frustrated hand through my dark hair and sighed, falling back onto the bed.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I shouted.

Mother stepped in, carrying a tray with two small cups and a teapot. She came to me and set the tray down on the bed before sitting as well. "I thought I would see my daughter. Give her some tea to help her sleep."

I smiled. "Thanks, mum."

In public, I would always address my parents by mother and father, but at home, it was mum and dad. I was grateful that I had a healthy relationship with my parents unlike many of the other girls in the outfit. The reason they were marrying me off was something I was not being told. To strengthen our bonds was my guess. I was old enough. Some girls got married at eighteen, some even younger. At least I was in my twenties. And at least my parents respected me and I respected them back. It was because of that respect that they had allowed me to take part in other activities. Boxing was one.

She tsked and took my hand in hers. "I swear, every time you and Elio fight, I think you hit harder than you can to just prove a point."

After the party, Elio and I went downstairs for a quick match. In that match, I showed him exactly how pleased I was with him leaving me with Amo.

I smiled then shrugged. "Fighter-Daughter, mum. Be happy."

"I am." She gave me a cup of tea. "I really am. You're my only child and I am happy."

Silence.

Only child.

Mum had never said that. Not after what happened to Maria.

I swallowed and gestured for the cup to direct her attention elsewhere. "Drink."

She did, but the silence stayed; so dense, you could cut it with a knife. The weight of the necklace around me felt like a noose tightening around me. I stood abruptly. "Mum, I'm tired. How about we both head to bed."

She nodded, absently, then stood. We hugged and I watched as she took the tray away. The sound of the door closing echoed for a bit before silence enveloped me once more. I rubbed my eyes. The wedding was going to happen in a few months. I had time. I needed to just get out of this place, fulfill my promise, then come back before anyone noticed.

Did I want to come back?

I pulled the covers over me in bed and stared at the ceiling, waiting for sleep. Hours passed and still nothing. I huffed out a breath and held the necklace in my hand, closing my eyes. Sleep found me eventually.