Four Hearts

Chapter 28

Cedric

The bumpy carriage ride was another day wasted. They made it to the city by sunset and Cedric couldn't be happier to finally stretch his legs, and get to a bathroom. He is surrounded by large buildings with a clear, cobblestone road under his feet. Snow covered up where well-trimmed flowerbeds would normally be every other time of the year, causing a lack of greenery everywhere he looks. Allegra slowly walks up to one of the small buildings, a term Cedric uses loosely considering it's still double, maybe triple, the size of his home. She knocks on the door three times before backing away to the edge of the top step. The door opens, and the four are greeted by the scowling face of a short woman with cold eyes and leathery skin.

"Miss Allegra, your father has been waiting for you," the woman says. "Are these your friends that you wanted to bring home?"

"Yes. Is my mother here?" Allegra asks.

"Everyone is here. You know that your father wants everyone together for New Years."

"I also know my mother isn't one to follow along with what he says blindly."

"She must've had a change of heart this year. Come on. It's best not to keep your father waiting."

Allegra rolls her eyes and follows the woman inside. Cedric, Milena, and Zain stay close behind. They're brought to a large, dimly lit living room with only one man sitting in a leather chair with a mug in hand. His olive complexion matches that of Allegra's, but that's where the similarities end. His sandy blond hair is slicked back with the help of gel. His warm, brown eyes match the candlelit room, unlike Allegra's bright green ones. His suit appears to be custom made for his long limbs and thin body.

"Allegra. It's so nice to have you home," the man says. The woman that lead them in is nowhere to be seen.

"If you missed me so much then you shouldn't have shipped me off. It was your choice, Father," Allegra replies.

Her father's soft smile quickly disappears, and his eyes go from warm to cold. "That's no way to address your father."

"Where's my mother?"

"She's around, I'm sure. But I wanted to talk to you first." He looks up at Allegra's three companions, "You must be the 'friends' she insisted on bringing."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Allegra responds.

"I'm Zain Oni, and this is Milena Bellerose and Cedric Eallard. Thank you for letting us stay here," Zain says.

"Oni?" a deep but feminine voice says from the shadows of the room. A woman walks forward from a dark doorway. She bears a shocking resemblance to Allegra. Her dark curls aren't constrained in a ponytail like those of the rebellious teen, but instead, they gracefully kiss her shoulders. The candlelight dances on her dark skin as her gem-like, green eyes stare into Zain's amber ones. On her wrist's are two golden bands with engravings that Cedric can't make out clearly. Her dark purple tank top hugs her small chest and torso, and her long skirt hides away her long legs.

"Your name is Oni?" the woman asks.

Zain nods.

"Mother, we need to talk," Allegra says.

"Gilda, this is a private conversation," Allegra's father says.

"One drunken mistake with you doesn't mean I have to listen to anything you say," Allegra's mother replies. She smiles at the four teenagers, "And I'm talking about getting married, not getting pregnant if that's what you're wondering."

"Mother, we really need to talk," Allegra urges.

"It's not like you're ever around, so I don't see why you're complaining," Mr. Frock says.