SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 42

"My little one!"

"Pappy!"

"You know I won't always be here with you."

"Why would you say that? Why would you leave me?"

"My child. The realm is not a safe place. But, you can make it safer for you. You should always remember to be strong. You are a brave young lady and you'll do wonderful things. You'll see."

"I will make you proud." Young Bella beamed.

"You are already my pride, little one.

*

Pappy!" Bella was in a trance. She was seeing her father and it had melted her whole being, her whole sanity.

"Snap out of it!" Daya turned to Bella. "Bella!"

"Yes, little one." Minerva spoke this time. She had to be sure she reached her this time. "Come, my girl!"

"Pappy! Your eyes." Bella raised her hands as if to touch someone.

"I know. What is it with my eyes?"

"Arabella! What are you doing? You cannot be weak." Daya insisted.

"Shut up! She sang the song." Minerva mocked.

"What song?" Bella asked still in a trance.

"Don't think of that, my little one." Minerva turned to her.

"Stop!" Mia said weakly.

"Shut up! Your turn has passed." Minerva snapped. "Stop being jealous!"

"Pappy..."

"Yes, my girl!" Minerva turned to Bella. "Tell me. "

"Your eyes."

"What happened to my eyes? Speak to me."

"They're beautiful!" Tears of joy slid down Bella's cheeks.

To her, all she could see was her father and he was not blindfolded. She had missed her father's eyes so much.

"Your eyes!" she cried.

"My little one. I can't understand you." she saw her father say. "Speak to me. Why won't you use our tongue? Are you ashamed of our Order?"

"No! Never!" Bella defended.

"Then talk to me. Use your tongue, child."

Arabella nodded at that.

"Bella, no!" Daya tried.

"Arabella!" Mia also tried.

"Yes! Come!" Minerva went close to her, caressing her cheeks and wiping off her tears. "Tell me, child."

"Yes," Bella said.

"Go on!" Minerva grinned.

"You said I should be a strong girl, remember?"

"Yes. You are a strong girl."

"You said I should always fight! Some things are just too good to be true." Bella spoke. "I'm the only one who can make it safe."

Minerva looked at her confusion roiling in and she saw Arabella's eyes move to look at her. Her grin disappeared.

"My father is not here." Bella swung her fist and punched and punched again and punched the third time then the fourth until Minerva felt overwhelmed.

"You bitch!" Minerva caught her fist and broke her hand. "Fool! It was a mistake to fight back!"

"And it was a mistake to use my father!" Bella kicked her hard on her stomach and Minerva went flying across the room. "Bitch!" Bella was furious.