The Curse of the Gift

Part 9

I spent the rest of the day with Marian. She kept assuring me that she was fine and didn't need anyone else's help, but I purposely ignored her words. Soon the woman decided to give up and let me take care of her.

In the evening, Ryan took over for me, and I headed to my room. But a familiar woman's voice called out to me at the door.

"Tayana!"

It was Lily. She had a wide, kind smile on her face. When she looked around the hallway and made sure no one else was here, she headed in my direction. But as it turned out, she wasn't alone. Amy's frail figure appeared from behind the shadows. But unlike her friend, Amy looked a little upset.

Lily hugged me tightly and started to ask me what had happened and why I was suddenly assigned to Marian's assistant. It took the girl a long time to find the right words to ask about her. I could see that she was a little afraid to say the word "Eyra," so I told them her name right away.

But our conversation was interrupted by several guards who were making their rounds, so I grabbed the girls by the arms and quickly led them into the room. As soon as their shock had passed, they began to look around my chambers in amazement. And now I know the look on my face every time I walked around the palace.

Even though the girls were clumsy and a little shy at first, I assured them that everything was all right, and we could relax here.

To Lily's loud sighs and gasps, I told them how I'd ended up as Eyra's assistant, omitting, of course, the fact that I was one myself. I didn't want to embarrass them, and I was afraid they might not want to talk to me anymore, or worse, be afraid of me.

Amy sat silent throughout our conversation, but still listened intently and with interest. And when I no longer hoped to get her to talk, she suddenly spoke up.

"Does Ryan come to see... well... that Marian a lot?" There was no anger or annoyance in Amy's voice, but rather sadness.

Lily and I were silent, watching her carefully.

"They'd known each other a long time, so it normal for them to be close." I tried to be supportive, but I knew it didn't sound convincing.

There was silence in the room, but then Lily clapped her hands loudly, told us not to go anywhere, and then skittered out the door and disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.

Amy and I looked at each other, then stared at the door again.

As soon as the door closed behind our friend, Amy turned to me and held my hands and looked at me with hope in her eyes.

"And Ryan... did he say anything about me? Maybe..." Amy mumbled something, and I couldn't understand her.

Oh, no. What am I supposed to tell her?! If I told her the truth, that Ryan doesn't say nice things about anyone, she'd get upset.

I hadn't known her that long, but I could tell that Amy was a pretty secretive girl, but when it came to Ryan, there was finally some emotion on her face, even a slight blush that made her even prettier. And telling her that probably the only woman he's interested in is Marian, I certainly can't. But I think somewhere in her heart she understands that, but she just doesn't want to believe it.

"Amy... I..." I sighed and closed my eyes and settled back on the couch. "I'm sorry, I'm probably the worst friend you could ever have. But I don't want to lie to you, much less give you false hope."

Still with my eyes closed, I felt Amy sit down next to me.

"It's okay." I hear a slight chuckle. "In fact, I'd known for a long time that it wasn't going anywhere. But I liked the feeling I had around him." After pausing for a moment, and apparently gathering her thoughts, she continued. "Lily and I, though not blood relatives, but we've known each other since childhood. She's always been so cheerful and easygoing and carefree, and I'm the complete opposite of her. Our parents were always surprised that we could be friends. But I think we complement each other."