The Invisible Planet

Part 57: Alone

Angeline awoke to the sound of the waterfall outside the cave, pouring steadily into the basin. She rolled over and sighed in disappointment as she saw she was alone. She had known he wouldn't stay, but it still hurt that he hadn't.

She got out of bed and picked her clothes off the floor, carrying them out to the water. The air was cooler in the little cove, and while it sheltered her from the breeze, there was a nice mist from the waterfall that alleviated some of the heat.

She put on her clothes, still damp from the wash, and turned toward the exit to find herself something to eat.

"Annie?"

Her heart jumped into her throat as she stood across from Aster. Hadn't Shay told her no one had followed them? Hadn't he promised to keep her safe?

"An— Angeline," Aster stammered. "I— I saw your house. Your things knocked over, and blood. I followed the footprints to see that you are okay."

She had no way of knowing if he was telling the truth, but he seemed genuine enough. "I'm okay," she said.

He hurried toward her and she took a wary step back. He stopped. "I— I do not want to hurt you," he said quickly. "I was only worried."

"One of the Guardians attacked me," she said. "He and Shay were fighting."

"They attacked you?" he repeated in alarm.

"Takka. The shadowy one. He wanted to hurt Shay."

Aster shook his head with his lips pursed in anger. "They are monsters."

"I'm okay," she assured. "They didn't hurt me."

"Is that why you left?" he asked.

"I was afraid. Did you tell the others what I told you?"

He shook his head. "No. They would kill you. The crash is your fault?"

"I'm the one who hijacked the ship. I didn't mean for this to happen... I just wanted to leave Azuri."

He approached her again and wrapped his arms around her. "It was not on purpose," he said. "I do not think you are evil. If I were to catch a man harming my sister that way, I would have done the same as you."

She leaned back and stood on her toes to kiss him. "Thank you for not hating me," she said.

He gave her a confused look. "Hate you? I do not think I could," he responded. "You do not like being called Annie?"

She shrugged. "It's a fine nickname. I just— I thought you should know my real name."

"Anhelina," he said, his Kespian accent softening the sounds as he caressed her cheek. "A name as beautiful as you. I am in love with you."

She looked at him in surprise. "I— I love you, too," she stammered. She wasn't sure if it was true, but she wanted it to be. Things would be so much easier if it were.

His hand moved from her waist to her stomach. "Is it mine?" he asked.

She looked down and nodded hesitantly.

A warm smile lit his eyes. "I am glad."

"You are?" she asked.

"You are beautiful, and hard working. You will be a wonderful mother."

"You really think so?"

He took her cheek in his other hand and stroked his calloused thumb against her skin. "You are my love, and I would like for you to be my wife."

Her heart jumped into her throat.

Wife?

Surely she had misheard him.

"You do not have to make up your mind for now," he said. "I do not want you to feel you have to say yes, but you should know I am here. You do not have to be alone."

Alone.

Tears filled her eyes. Alone was how she would always be if she chose Shay. She wanted to be with him. She loved him, but no amount of love could keep him from leaving again.

A marriage proposal was perhaps the last thing she had expected from Aster after her outburst the previous night, but maybe marrying him wasn't the worst idea.

Shay would never be able to offer her such companionship, even if he wanted to. The excitement of forbidden love was quickly fading into frustration. And what would she do in twenty years, when her child appeared the same age as him and she looked old enough to be his mother?

A part of her wanted to hope that maybe there was a way to become a Guardian with him, but she knew it was futile. As long as Marius lived, he would never allow it. And considering the fact that he was an immortal being, ageless and unkillable, her chances were less likely than him simply changing his mind — which was already on its own an impossibility.

She moved her hand over her stomach. Her child didn't deserve an absent father, no matter how magnificent he was. Aster was there for her. Tangible, real, and unlike Shay, he wouldn't abandon her. She didn't love him like she did Shay, but she liked him well enough to be content. It wouldn't be an exciting life, but then again, maybe excitement was overrated.

She exhaled a trembling breath and nodded. "Okay."

"Okay?" he repeated.

"I'll marry you."

He pulled her against him and lifted her from the ground, spinning her around once as she shrieked. "You have made me so happy today," he said. "Will you come back with me, to tell everyone the good news?"

She nodded. "Okay."

He kissed her softly. "I love you, Anhelina. You have made me very happy this day."