Ashfall: City of Shade (UNDER EDITING)

Chapter 47 | Chronos

GRETA

Baloop, baloop! Baloop!

"Good morning," I say into the noisy shell.

"Good morning," Brommy sounds happy. "How are you feeling today? Did you receive my gift?"

I knew guards were watching this atrium, but yesterday was the first time they came inside.

"I'm feeling sad today, Brommy, I'm worried that Adler will find me-"

"He will never find you. You are safe. I'm certain you look ethereal in your new robes. They were imported and made just for your size. How do they fit?"

"Very well! Are you coming soon? I miss you, Brommy."

A moment later, I jump to my feet seeing a form emerge from the shrubbery across the atrium's expanse.

My heart lurches. Brommy is not alone. I stagger backward. Why would he do this to me?

He promised no visitors.

The man wears a strange head piece and striped tunic. He carries a lyre and sets it down carefully next to the large marble fountain. I frown as Brommy curtly gives him instructions. The man looks nervous, but he settles onto a bench beside the instrument.

A familiar tune begins to trickle through the air.

It's the same song I heard back on Ashtium during yule.

What a terrible night.

"Greta."

"Yes?"

"I do not want you to be living alone in here anymore. Enoch has asked me to have you moved away from empirical premises...for your safety."

"He doesn't want me caring for the children, does he?"

"At the moment, I'm afraid not. They will be moved to hospice care as they are due for wellchecks."

"Oh."

We sit down together beneath the shade of a large tree.

He smiles, but it's tight-lipped and feels empty.

"What god do you pray to now?" he asks while watching the ground in front of us.

"Whoever feels like listening I suppose-"

"I'm listening. Isn't that good enough?"

I feel small under his new stare. His mouth is formed into a hard line. In the darkness, his smile is no more.

His thumb traces lightly over my chin. Annoying bugs live even in here. They buzz behind us in the seclusion of shade. In the absence of much light, the lyre's drunken tune whirs around riddled in forgotten memories and broken dreams where dark water weighs me down.

"Isn't that good enough?" Brommy repeats in a whisper.

Like a childish girl, I hug the muscle of his arm just like I did when he pulled me out of the black sea. His stare remains impassive as his hand slips behind my back to stroke me.

"I love you, Greta."

Love me? Brommy loves me? I don't like how vulnerable I feel under his touch. I have to keep reminding myself he isn't his brother.

"I don't feel like that's true," I admit lightly.

"Why not?" he asks in a low voice. I gulp feeling the heat of his breath near my neck. I turn, his eyes are no longer cold but twinkle in a way that makes me blush. "Do you think I rather have someone else?"