21. Ada
21
ADA
I 'm on edge as I kneel in the garden, watching Rose's tiny fingers pat soil around a freshly planted moonflower. Her violet eyes sparkle with delight as she works, honey-blonde curls bouncing with each movement. But my mind keeps going back to what Dezoth told me last now, how we weren't the only ones visited by that guard.
"Mama, will it bloom tonight?" Rose presses another handful of dirt into place.
My gaze darts to the kitchen window, scanning for movement. Nothing. Just the flutter of curtains in the breeze. "If we take good care of it, sweet one."
"Can I water it?" She reaches for the copper watering can.
"Gentle now." I help her lift it, my hands trembling slightly. A shadow passes across the garden wall and my spine stiffens until I realize it's just a branch swaying in the wind.
Rose hums a tune while she waters, completely absorbed in her task. I wish I could lose myself in the simple joy of gardening like she does. Instead, my skin prickles with unease. Every rustle of leaves makes me flinch.
"Look Mama, a thalivern!" Rose points at the shimmerfly, its crystalline wings catching rainbow light.
I force myself to smile, but my eyes track to the garden gate. Still locked. "Beautiful, darling. Why don't we move to the herb bed? Mama needs to pick some healing flowers."
"Can I help sort them?" She skips toward the raised bed, already reaching for the purple blooms.
"Of course." I follow close behind, positioning myself between her and the house. Another shadow at the window. My heart jumps. Just my reflection.
Rose chatters about which flowers she likes best as she plucks petals, but I barely hear her. Every sense stays alert, scanning our surroundings. The peaceful garden feels like a cage, exposed on all sides.
"Mama, you're squishing the flowers." Rose's small hand touches mine where I've crushed a handful of stems.
I release them quickly. "Sorry, sweet one. Mama's just tired today."
"Should we have a tea party? That always makes you happy."
My throat tightens at her innocent concern. "Maybe later. Let's finish our gathering first."
We've just gone inside when I hear the knock on the door. My hands freeze over the herb basket, every muscle tensing. Rose looks up from her flower crown, violet eyes wide.
"Someone's here, Mama."
Another knock, harder this time. Not Rolfo's steady taps or Vashti's musical rhythm. My fingers curl around Rose's shoulder.
"Let's play a game. Go to your room and hide for me."
"But my flowers-"
"Now, Rose." I keep my voice gentle but firm. She gathers her crown and scurries through the kitchen door.
The knocking grows more insistent. Sweat beads on my neck as I creep toward the front entrance. This is Dezoth's home - what if it's important guard business? What if ignoring it draws attention?
Bang. Bang. Bang.
My heart pounds in time with each strike. Through the thick wood, I catch fragments of muttered words. A male voice, unfamiliar. But I can't see anything through the viewing panel.
I press my ear to the door, willing my breathing to slow. The handle rattles. My fingers clutch the door frame, nails digging into wood.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
I back away from the door, every instinct screaming to run, to grab Rose and flee. But where? How? We're trapped inside Dezoth's home and I can't get out of here without whoever is outside seeing us. I have to answer the door - before this escalates.
I pull the door open before I can second-guess myself. My blood freezes. Lord Varyk towers in the doorway, his silver-streaked black hair and aristocratic features a cruel mirror of my Arzollon. But where my love's eyes held warmth, his father's burn with icy hatred.
"Found you." His lips curl into a predatory smile.
I stumble backward. My feet tangle in the entry rug as he lunges forward, massive frame filling the doorway. His hand snaps out, catching my wrist in an iron grip.
"Did you think you could hide forever?" His voice drops to a silky whisper. "That I wouldn't track down what belongs to me?"
"I belong to no one." The words come out stronger than I feel, even as my pulse races beneath his fingers.
He yanks me closer, golden eyes blazing. "You bore my son's mongrel child. You corrupted my bloodline." His other hand wraps around my throat. "Where is she?"
"Gone." I claw at his fingers, fighting for breath. "I sent her away."
"Lies." His grip tightens. "I can smell her here. Sweet little Rose, just like her father." He inhales deeply, nostrils flaring. "Did you tell her how I gutted him while you ran? How he begged for your lives?"
Rage burns through my terror. "He never begged. He died protecting us from you."
Lord Varyk slams me against the wall. Stars burst behind my eyes. "And now you hide behind another demon's protection? Pathetic." His fangs gleam inches from my face. "I'll find her, Adelaide. And this time, there's no one to save either of you."
I kick out, catching his knee. His grip loosens just enough for me to wrench free. I dive under his reaching arms, scrambling toward the stairs.
His laughter cuts like broken glass. "Still playing the sacrificial mother?" His claws dig into my shoulders, drawing blood. "You should have died in childbirth like the rest of your kind."
I drive my elbow back into his sternum. Pain shoots through my arm - like hitting stone. "I won't let you touch her."
"Let me?" He spins me around, slamming me into the banister. Wood cracks beneath my spine. "You forget your place, servant. Everything you are belongs to me. Your life. Your death." His golden eyes bore into mine, pupils contracting to razor slits. "Your daughter's corruption of my bloodline."
"She's not corrupt." I spit the words through blood-stained teeth. "She's perfect. Everything Arzollon wanted."
His backhand snaps my head sideways. "Don't speak his name. You killed my son with your human filth."
"You killed him." Tears blur my vision but I force myself to meet his gaze. "Your own son. Your own blood. Because he dared to love."
His fingers wrap around my throat, squeezing until black spots dance at the edges of my vision. "I should have done this the moment I found you in his bed." His other hand traces my cheek almost gently. "Don't worry. Once you're gone, I'll raise the girl properly. Teach her to hate everything human inside her."
"She'll never be yours." I claw at his hands, each breath burning. "She's too much like her father."
Something snaps in his expression. The calculated cruelty gives way to pure rage. His grip tightens and I feel my feet leave the ground.
"Then she can join you both in death."