The Nephilim & The Maiden

F A T E

I'm sorry for taking SO long to update. This year has been unbelievably awful for my family and I. I'm trying so hard to get back into things that I like to try and get some of that serotonin I keep hearing about. I pushed myself to write this so if it's garbage, I'm sorry.

"If we are to do this," I say before taking a long sip of wine from the elegant golden cup that was placed down by my plate of food, swirling the liquid around my mouth before swallowing it. "Then I am going to need my own place to stay."

Ivar continued playing with the loose string of his sleeve, letting my words sink in. His brows slowly came together, his lips turning down in a slight frown before he looked up at me through his lashes. "What are you talking about?"

"What we discussed the other morning. About us potentially getting married." I took another sip of my drink, not wanting to lose my courage.

"I don't understand. If we are trying to make things work between the two of us, shouldn't we be spending time together?" Ivar asked.

"Well yes but, I think separating ourselves will also help. We will still spend time together but given how we've come to this point, giving each other some space... I think it will help." I finally looked into his blue eyes that were staring at me from across the table. His expression was unreadable which made me all the more nervous.

He rubbed his hand over his face, clearly mulling over my words. "Fine. We can have breakfast and dinners together." he said trying to map out a plan. "And you want to spend nights alone?"

My lips purse and awkwardly shift to the left leaving me making a weird face while I stared down at the half eaten food on my plate. I should start thinking things through before I speak, I chided myself.

"I need to make this decision on my own. I already know it's going to be hard but it will be a lot harder if we keep having nights like the other one."

A slow smile crept across his face. "You mean the other night when I fucked you?"

His question was obviously rhetorical. I was silently cursing myself as I felt my cheeks start to burn while I thought back to Ivar on top of my naked body. He watched me squirm uncomfortably in my chair which only made his smile grow more.

"Fine, little one. I can let you stay in your own house for the next month. Just know, if you get lonely you are always welcome to sleep in my bed." Ivar winked deviously at me making my cheeks turn crimson.

When Ivar said I could stay in my own home, he really meant the home that he specifically chose. It was by no means a small home, in fact it was twice the size of the home I grew up in. The main room was massive with a huge fire pit, a long table with dozens of chairs around it as well as a sitting area off to the side. There were two rooms at the back of the building, which I of course took the one with the largest bed. I have every intention on taking full advantage of my new, peaceful solitude.

And when he said he would give me time to myself, it was for maybe an hour a day. My mornings began with a knock at the door before servants swarmed inside to deliver a freshly cooked breakfast, either a beautiful new dress or some piece of ornate jewelry. Today I was gifted both a new deep blue dress and a thick chained necklace with a gold pendant with the face of Freya carved into it with matching blue jewels scattered about the pendant and chain.

"Ivar, you are insufferable." I murmured, pulling my blankets over my head. "Leave the food on the table and the dress on one of the chairs, I don't need to be served this morning." I called out, hoping they could hear me from my room.