Night of Waterfalls (Venom Series #2)

Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Bite

Mas dumalas na ang pagdalaw sa akin ng mga babaylan upang gamutin ako. During the first few days, I tried to resist their procedures. Tinatabig ko ang mga kamay nila, umaalis ako sa posisyon ko at sinisigawan ko sila.

I felt like a patient with no cure at all.

Nagtataka ako kung bakit hindi pa sila napapagod at tumitigil. Nakikita ba nila na may pagbabago ako? Kahit noong panahon na maayos pa ang relasyon namin ni Tobias at inakala ko na susundin niya ang ipinangako niya sa aking dalawang buwan ay walang nangyari.

I thought I could consistently resist their procedures, but when Tobias visited me again, I received the treatment while sitting on his lap. Hindi ako nakapalag habang kalong niya at ang nakayakap ang mariin niyang braso sa akin.

"We can do this forever, Kezalli. Stop resisting. You'll just tire yourself," he whispered as I struggled against him.

That's why when the priestesses were inside my room, Tobias was seated on the nearest chair, casually flipping pages on his book with crossed legs.

"W-wait! Ang init na!" tinabig ko ang isang kamay ng babae na malapit sa noo ko.

I heard how he closed his book. "Do you need assistance?"

Nanliit ang mga mata ko at sinalubong ko ang sa kanya. "Stay right there!"

"I am asking them. Not you."

Agad umiling nang sunod-sunod ang mga babaylan nang makita nila ang naniningkit kong mga mata sa kanila.

Tobias nodded, leaned his back on his winged chair again, and opened his book. When the priestesses finished with their procedure, they would ask me some questions, and I'd answer the same.

At iisa lang lagi ang ekspresyon nila kay Tobias pagkatapos niyon. Bubuntonghininga si Tobias, isasarado ang kanyang aklat at mabagal na magtutungo sa akin.

The priestesses would leave us alone, I'd not move on my bed while glaring at him.

"I'll go now."

He bent and he was about to give me a kiss when I moved away, but in the end, I felt his lips on my right temple.

Tinalikuran niya na ako at naglalakad na siya patungo sa pinto nang habulin ko siya ng tingin. "I want to go outside."

Nakahawak na ang isa niyang kamay sa pinto bago siya lumingon sa akin.

"And then you'll run."

"You're literally treating me like a prisoner."

"You're a patient, Kezalli. You're fragile."

"S-siguro sa mundong ito, pero sa mundo ko? I am not suited here."a

"I don't want to start this conversation again. I'll visit you later."

"Tobias—"

Hindi na niya hinintay pa na matapos ang sasabihin ko dahil iniwan na niya ako.

Unlike before, Rosh had time to visit me, but now I heard from the servants that he was busy with his mission outside Deltora. Kaya hindi na nakapagtataka na sina Marah at Pryor ang dumadalaw sa akin.

I knew that Tobias was not aware of their visit. It wasn't new to him that his siblings were not happy with my existence inside the palace. But I noticed that they were less aggressive. Before I could feel that any moment one of them might kill me, maybe they could see my situation as more helpless than getting killed.

Katulad ngayon, si Pryor ang kausap ko.

He was trying to convince me that he could help me escape.

He was sitting on Tobias's favorite winged chair. I had this urge to push him away because that seat was meant for that stoned-faced king.