The Heir of Night

4

It was another slow day at the bakery and tavern. Elena had busied herself cleaning the floors while Theia rested her chin on her fist and stared at the door. They wouldn't be paid for today, not when there had been no customers. When the owner, Nico, stopped in to tell them to close, Theia was grateful. It was just before dusk, light enough for Theia to hurry home and gather the axe to cut firewood.

"Have a good evening!" Theia called as Elena locked the back door. She didn't wait for a response before rushing down the road to her home. Trainees were flying above the fields at the camp, swarming the air above. Theia gritted her teeth as she slipped into her house, praying they hadn't recognized her. Her eyes fell to Maia, curled up in her chair. The fire hardly burned, her fingers rapidly knitting the two year-old blanket.

"Going to get wood, mama," Theia mumbled, crossing the room to the storage area at the back of the home. She gathered the large knapsack and the axe, placing them by the door. Next, she pulled a cloak on over her coat, the hood heavy and concealing. She dropped to her knee and began placing the leather strap around her thigh, sheathing her father's dagger into it. She had never needed to use it, but it was darker than when Theia usually gathered wood. Hoisting the axe over her shoulder and tucking the bag in her arm, Theia left her house.

She often trekked up to the tree line at the bottom of the mountain, searching for any fallen trees that had been victims to the warriors' training in the forest. The snow was deep in the valley, reaching up to her knees. It took far longer than she wished to touch the trees, the moonlight being her only light. It was far darker when she slipped beneath the tree branches. Her eyes hardly adjusted, but still, she began hacking at a log she had tripped over.

It had to have been two hours by the time she filled the sack and made it out of the forest. It was too heavy to carry, so she dragged it through the thick snow. Sweat rolled down her spine and face and her arms were aching when Theia finally reached the road. Her breath puffed out in tendrils of steam in the frozen night.

She had made it to the neighboring house when she could see the front door. When she did, her heart dropped. Lit by the dying fire light, a pair of massive wings slipped into the door. There was nothing that a male would need from her mother, most of the village didn't even know Maia was still alive. A whimper nearly made it between Theia's lips as she dropped the knapsack and axe. She ran to the cracked window of the sitting room, lowering her wings and peering through.

The biggest male she had ever seen was crouched by her mother, his hand reaching toward her leg. She nearly dropped the dagger as she unsheathed it, hands trembling fiercely. As quietly as she possibly could, Theia slid across the rotting wood to the front door. Before opening it, she glanced toward the village. Two figures were making their way down to her home, one without wings. Theia bit down on a curse and threw the door open.

"Get the fuck away from her!" The dagger was raised, Theia launching herself at the male's back. A gloved hand closed around her wrist and somehow, too quickly, her back hit the ground. The air was punched out of her, eyes wide as she tried to focus on the male above her. It's time. It was a matter of time. Just breathe.

The dagger was wrenched from her hand, his wings blocking too much light to see his face. It didn't matter, Theia closed her eyes. It would be over quickly enough, she'd only need to endure it until he grew bored.

"What kind of livelihood is this? Who cares for this female? Why has she been neglected?" The male spat down at Theia. Eyes still squeezed shut, she let out a whimper. She hadn't expected questions about her mother, only the male to force himself upon them until he was satisfied.

"I care for her," Theia coughed out, still trying to regain her breath. The male scoffed, grabbing a fistful of her cloak and dragging her up.

"Look at her! You care for her? Why is she sitting in her own damn filth?" Theia's hood fell back, her eyes blurring with tears as she opened them to see her mother. "Oh."