Beyond Immortality

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

Two days passed by, and no one came to visit me, neither was food or water served. My worry for Reeve kept me going, I needed to know if he was safe. My stomach occasionally made growling noises. I would force myself to sleep my misery away. I grew feeble from lack of energy. My leg had healed but there was a little pain, and my mouth was dry and sticky.

"Dropped by to admire your new chambers, it looks so good on you," Enmyria says mocking me. I lay on the hay spread on the ground facing the wall, turning to her was useless it would only make me sadder. I was also not ready for word exchange with her either. "You should know better than to come between me and that which is mine. You going to starve to death," she chuckles malevolently. Women!

During nightfall, I got another surprise visit. I rushingly crawled deeper into the corner as he approached me, burying my head under my raised hands to shield myself from being hit, instead, he unchained my hands.

"You're free to go," he says giving me way to pass. I got out without a word attempting to walk but felt dizzy. I grab onto the dungeon walls, take a deep breath, and walk out. I know better than to ask for his help. I ascend the flight of stairs my subconscious chanting 'Don't die don't die! We will make it! A little more push is all we need ' as my feet grow heavy with every step I take. I wanted to run to my room at least if I were to pass out, it better be in my room but my body differed with this as it ended up sprawled on the cold floor. I tried crawling to no avail. I made up my mind to rest for a while and gather up some strength. I woke up to the smell of food scenting the room. I was laid up on a bed, a blanket on me. I sat up to find Mithian cleaning up.

"My lady," she expresses walking to me, "you were unconscious when Orion brought you in." So he has a heart. I eat dinner and take a bath.

"It was terrible," I say to Mithian who is washing my hair, narrating to her everything that took place.

"I don't think the king can deprive you of food. He speaks highly of you."

"well someone must have given the order," I think for a minute. "Enmyria said I was going to starve to death how would she know I was not eating unless.."

"she was the one giving the order," Mithian completes the statement. It all makes sense now. "She should have poisoned you instead if she wanted you dead,"

"that little rascal,' I say earning a giggle from Mithian. It's late in the night so I prepare for bed afterward, Mithian is about to start blowing the candles when Orion knocks and lets himself inside. I scrutinized his face knowing what he wanted to say.

"Your little boyfriend was lucky to get away." I smile at the news. I pout, faking sadness.

"Aaaw! Guess who's average? Thought you'd be happy I was going to leave your life but looks like you stuck with me." I laugh. His face is blank but I see his jaws clench. "Well, that's good news to sleep on. Glad I'm alive too after your girlfriend's attempted murder failed, I can now sleep in peace." He cocks his eyebrows at me. "You better ask her."
****
It's been a moon since Reeve left the kingdom. My heart felt like it had opened up a new vacuum, every thought of him made me miss him so much. The moments we spent together were so wholesome and full of life. He had taken a piece of me with him.

I needed to fill this void in me. I had spent enough time with the Royal family it was a matter of time they paid their dues to me. They were going to do it whether they liked it or not.

"Mason!" I spit surprised at the snapping of fingers. The sky was cloudless with the sun shining brightly high up. I was on the rooftop checking out the horizon and vast outstretched kingdom admiring what I would soon be associated with.

"what are doing here, alone?" he asks looking ahead.
"Mason, we need to talk," I say hitting the nail on the head.
"Before anything else, I also want to apologize for my behavior, what I did was wrong and inappropriate. Honestly, I find you attractive, every man does. I let it get the best of me and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried kissing you or had flowers arranged in your room,"

"it was you?" I ask amused.

"I also wanted to cheer you up because you always look unhappy here," I give him a warm smile. That was callous but thoughtful of him.

" thank you, Mason,"

"Deirdre, you are a good person and you deserve the very best. I was not bluffing when I said that. I hope you find that happiness in my brother."

"I'm already getting my wedding gifts from you," I tease.

" the gift I will offer you will outdo what your husband will give you,"

" I'll look forward to it," We end up having idle talks before I'm summoned for the dance practice. I was progressing better and better and to keep myself in check I had to think of Reeve to focus and not let myself get carried away by Orion's charms. I had decided to stick to my lane and know my place in his life.

Marriage in just a week. I felt trapped, my hands tied. Halevisa and her father were taking the royal measurements for my wedding gown. Standing on that stool staring at the mirror brought me to the break of tears. My heart twisted in a knot with so much void inside. I felt wetness on my cheeks as it became impossible to hold them back. My heart was not at rest. Thinking it out loud it was not just anything but someone. A missing puzzle to make me whole again, to shine a light on me, to guide me through this mess I was getting into. All I wanted was for someone to whisper to me that everything was alright.

I wipe away my tears before anyone notices. A knock on the door has me blinking severally to contain the warm liquid threatening to spill out again. Mithian, who is tidying up the room, answers the door. Orion comes into view. His hair was held in a half ponytail with a few strands let loose. His hands were behind his back. He asks for a moment alone. I nod, averting my gaze from him so I have time to calm myself down. Everyone exits the room, shutting the door behind them. I snivel, wiping my face and stepping down the small stool.

"I'm sorry for hitting you," he starts. "I don't know what came over me. It was cowardly of me," I turn to find him presenting me with a bunch of flowers. I am astonished by his act. His brows narrow as he stares back at me, "Are you alright?" he asks. His question worsens my condition as I feel my throat tighten. I nod quickly, taking the flowers.

"I forgive you." I find the words to speak. At least he saw he was wrong and did the right thing. My brother never apologized.

"I only wish to ask you one question," he goes on. I gesture at him to ask by tilting my head. "Back at the dungeons, when I came to set you free, you cowered to the corner and raised your hands to shield yourself, why?" I sit on my bed looking at my fingers, thinking if he deserved the truth.

"Before I was sold into slavery, my brother, the man I thought would protect me after our father died, turned me into a punching bag. He would beat me up till I lost consciousness. Mother tried protecting me, but he turned on her too. I became a slave in my father's house. He swore to dishonour me anytime a man showed interest in me." I teardown at the flashback. "When you hit me, I saw him. A man who tried taking advantage of me so many times. I shielded myself from his beatings all the time, and it became a habit. He once attacked me from the back with a stool breaking parts of it. I had to stay in bed for weeks before I got better.

"I am sorry. I have never raised my hand on anyone. I just lost it," he says, holding my hand. I assure him that it's fine. "Don't forget we have practice." He left my room allowing us to finish whatever we were doing. I never thought I would see the day a man apologized for any wrong deeds he had done least of all Orion. I placed the flowers on a vase, feeling a little bit better. The days were moving fast. I only wished they would slow down. One thing that saddened me most was I had no one to hold my hand and walk me down the aisle. I thought of giving Leonius the honour, considering he knew me as a child but I kept thinking of my mother. I hadn't attempted to find her. I needed to be sure before I made my request to the king concerning her. I only concluded the worst from my brother's animosity.

However, after talking to father, it was crystal clear she was alive but that was so long ago. She was the missing piece in my life I had to find her to lay my mind to rest. During midday, I headed to see the king in the council room. He is with the rest of the council and scribes preparing letters to be sent off to the king's friends and rulers. He strides to me when my presence is detected. I bow slightly with my head.