Somanca ( The Healer)

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN 🌿

" So, you are leaving." It was the first thing Venerus uttered as soon as he entered the room chambers I had been occupying for the last couple weeks.

I was all packed and ready to go but I was reluctant to leave all this behind. I was stalling. Thinking that any moment Amanti would come and stop me from leaving but my hopes were shattered as always.

She was with her bride. And I had no right to expect her to leave the warmth of his wife just to see me leave.

" Yes, I am leaving, " I murmured.

" I'm going with you, " he said.

" No, you're not, " I said sternly. " You cannot leave Kymil. He loves you  very, very much. I will not let you leave what you've built with him."

" And what of you, healer Somanca. What abound Amanti. Do not think I've not seen the way you leer at each other. "

I shrugged averting my gaze elsewhere. He stepped in my line of vision, glowering at me. " You know what I'm talking about. Do not act nonchalant. "

" She's married, Venerus. What do you want me to say?" I snapped. " I've left my people who truly need me. The feelings you think I had for Amanti were of admiration, nothing more." I jutted my chin up stubbornly.

He groaned, throwing his hands up in exasperation. " You are a very difficult woman."

I chose to remain silent as I strapped up my bag and slung it over my shoulder. He attempted to yank the bag from me but I reared back to avoid his grabby hands.

" There's nothing you'll say or do that will stop me from going out that door."

I walked out of the bed chambers with a very frustrated Venerus hot on my heels. He was still trying to change my mind about leaving but I chose to ignore him.

I would miss this seemingly magical Kingdom but it was not where I belonged. I belonged at Tellus.  The village of elmorans who celebrated love more than any other festival and who relished to torment me. The same village with Adan Mertiz who worshipped ale more than his wife and who'd rather die than to stop drinking the poisonous liquid, all because he knew he had me. The only woman who came second after ale and came first before his wife.

But now, now I knew better than to act on my weakness for healing. Kymil had taught me well. Now I knew how to brew a healing tonic. I wouldn't have to relay on my abilities unless it was necessary.

" Healer Somanca, will you listen to me?"

" No, I won't," I retorted.

" Listen." He placed his hands on my shoulders then turned me so I was facing him. If it had been anyone I would be livid when  touched by them but not him. He meant well. I just wished he didn't have to make the situation any harder than it already was.

" Think about it, healer Somanca. We had to walk for miles, sometimes through foggy forests where dangerous beasts roamed freely. We journeyed through icy landscapes, on empty stomachs. And not to forget, we were ambushed and tied to the tree as sacrificial lambs for the frost beasts." He said forlornly.

" No, Venerus. Nothing you say will change my mind. "

" But, Somanca …" he trailed off, sounding helpless and anguished. His eyes  were bright with unshed tears.

I ignored him as I entered the throne room. He trailed behind like a wounded puppy. A very persistent one at that.

Queen Amanti and her wife sat comfortably on their thrones. They were chatting and sharing secretive smiles. They looked so happy, like nothing in the world mattered more than what they shared. And it was something I doubted I could ever experience.