The Selected

Chapter 14: Norman

Neither Dorian or I had said a word the whole way back to the castle. Why was he such a good man? Why did I have to like him so much? This would be so much easier if he wasn't so good to me.

Dorian helped me off Niya, except when I got down his hands remained on my hips as we were facing each other. His eyes searched my face as I quickly ducked my head down. He can't read me, he'll know I like him. I'm not risking anything. I couldn't help but feel a pang at the sad and confused expression he had when he let me go.

"Norman should be standing guard in the west quadrant," Dorian said. Norman? Oh right, I came here looking for Norman.

"Thank you," I whispered. "And thank you for today it was wonderful."

Except when I really wanted to kiss you and reality hit me like a rock.

Dorian cleared his throat. "Yes, will I-- will I see you tonight?"

I know I should not see you this much but I couldn't help myself. "Of course. Take care Dorian."

"Take care Liana," he replied.

I petted Niya one more time before going to find Norman. Since I was in the south quadrant it shouldn't be so far. I hurried away from the stables as fast as I could trying to remove Dorian's expression from my head. Does he think I hate him now? Or that I am disgusted? God I don't want him to get the wrong idea. How do I explain this to him without confessing my feelings? Why is being in love so complicated?!

I had finally gotten to the west quadrant looking at the guards along my way trying to spot Norman. I finally found him sulking in front one of the walls.

"Norm!" I called out to him. He looked at me in hope, then sadness, then confusion.

"Lady Liana, what are you doing here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I wanted to ask you about Harriet," I answered. Norman's face dropped. Oh my what's going on? "Was she not allowed to tell Lady Imogen that she was to wed? To protect you that is?"

Was she trying to protect Norman's position?

"No, she were to tell her so. We talked about it," he said. "And now I hear she had missed her home and gone back. I didn't hear anything from her at all, no goodbye, nothing. I don't understand, does she not want to marry me anymore? Does she regret it? I don't know what to do without her Liana, she's-- she's everything to me."

I held his hand to comfort him and he squeezed tightly. "How about you write her a letter? I know she loved you very much."

"She told you so?" He looked at me with hope.

I nodded in response. "The way she looked at you was enough on its own."

"Really?" He perked up. Poor man, he was probably so heartbroken.

"Better yet, I'm going home to Zoad, I will go remind her how much she means to me and how right we are for each other," he said with determination laced around his words.

"Yes! Go get your lady back! I want to hear all about it!" I encouraged him.

"I'll be back by nightfall, I will see you then," he said before running off towards the south quadrant, probably looking for his captain.

We continued our duties for the rest of the day as I waited impatiently for nightfall to hear what happened with Norman. It was time for my walk with Dorian and he still hadn't returned. Maybe he had stayed the night. I will speak to him in the morning if so.