Heart's Desire

Chapter 9

"Hey, Y/N. Wake up."

My eyes blinked open and I found Odessa's amber eyes staring down at me. My heart fluttered as I quickly tried to get up, but as I was about to, she grabbed me. Confused, I looked around, finding myself to be in her arms. Shit. What happened?

"Uhm, what happened?"

"You fell asleep. I carried you back, but figured not to go towards the gates. I get a sense your father doesn't like me that much," she said.

"Yeah, unfortunately," I sighed.

She set me down, making sure everything was in order before I turned towards the gates.

"Well, thank you for tonight," I said.

"You're welcome. And if you want, we can always do this again."

"I'd like that very much. Thank you," I smiled.

"Have a good night, Y/N," she said and walked back towards her house.

I walked towards the gates and found my father waiting for me.

"What was that about? Why was she carrying you?"

"I fell asleep. That's all, father."

"I see," he said.

"Truly, it was."

"Where did you go?"

"To a creek not too far from the city."

"You went that far?" he asked, his eyes widening.

"Yes. We went that far."

"Why? I told you to be careful about her."

"She's not a bad person, father. I don't understand why you don't like her."

"I take it she didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"She hides secrets."

"Don't we all?"

"Not the kind of secrets you'd think she'd hide. Not normal ones."

"And is that so bad?"

"Her secret, yes."

"If you know, why don't you just tell me?"

"I cannot be the one who outs her. It is not my place."

"At least that's the only decency you have."

He shook his head, "Marriage again."

"Yes."

"I was thinking."

"Yes, father?" I asked, some hope to my voice.

"Aetius is the best option you have."

"More like the best option you have."

"I will disregard that. But I am also willing to disregard marrying an older man."

"Thank you," I said.

"That is the only thing. You still have to marry someone who will produce an heir."

"And you're telling me this why? Do you think Odessa and I would form something?"

"It crossed my mind, but I didn't think much of it."

"It's not going to happen, father. She's just a friend. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I hope it stays that way," he said.

"It will, father. I don't have any romantic attraction towards her."

Was this a lie? I mean, I did find her attractive. But maybe it's just admiration towards her. What am I admiring? Her amber eyes, strong body, and warm personality? Whatever it was, I needed to figure it out because if this "admiration" turns into something more, we might have a problem. And I don't want to be the one to end my family's bloodline. That'd be an even bigger problem. But are these my own thoughts? Or my father's ideals that he's pushing on to me?