Chapter 9
Mourning Her
OYE
“You come here more than the workers do.”
Oye said as way of greeting Sabina, who sat on a long couch, brushing her hands along her large belly. She silently watched the revolving black mass within the purple orb above. “At this point, I think Raijin is starting to get worried.”
Sabina looked away from the orb and frowned, “Why? It comforts me to come here when there is nothing else to do.”
“There are plenty of things you could do in your spare time.” Oye said coming to stand behind her. She thought over her next words carefully. “Would Lanias be happy with you doing this?”
“What are you trying to say,” Sabina demanded sounding irritated.
“Don’t you think it’s time you moved on?” Oye said wincing at how her words came out.
“I’m not saying you should just forget her, or anything. I just don’t want you to be so caught up in this.” The wave of her hand gesture encompassed the entire room. “Lanias would want you to be living your life and enjoying your family. She wouldn’t want you here thinking about the past.”
“I’m not thinking about the past.” Sabina denied surprisingly calm.
“I’m thinking about the future. The future that Lanias won’t be a part of.
The future she never talked about.” She sighed, looking back at the Nerium.
“I never realized how selfish I was to leave all of this behind at the first sign of an out. Not once did I think about what I was leaving her with. I abandoned her to this world because I wanted normal.”
“Sabina.” Oye said.
“Don’t, I don’t need your pity.” She abruptly interjected.
Oye crossed her arms. “Fine, then stop putting me in a place where I feel it. Lanias was a big girl, she enjoyed all this. The intrigue, the taking down of corrupt officials. She never once denied her true self. The only time she held back was the day you left and you know it.”
“Yeah,” Sabina smiled sadly. “I know. That’s why I keep coming here. I can feel her here, she’s in this place. Magic was how she found her freedom; I can’t just turn my back on it like I did then.” She lifted her hand a beautiful orb of a kaleidoscope of colors appeared in her hand.
Oye watched her before she turned and started walking back toward the steps.
“You’re leaving already?” Sabina inquired.
“Yeah, you’re not drowning in despair so I can go back to the estate.” She paused at the first step and looked over her shoulder. “Just make sure you tell Raijin the same thing, so he’ll stop calling me,” Oye added.
Sabina smiled, her eyes full of laughter. “Sure will.”
With that Oye continued up the steps and stopped at the sight of Eliza. Who was hovering near the entrance. “Well, this is a surprise, what brings you here?”
Eliza looked from her to the door, “I was told that Sabina was spending a lot of time down there. Wanted to see if there was anything I could do.” She brushed a finger over the stitch markings on her wrist. “It felt wrong to do nothing.”
Oye sighed, “I’m not cut out for this role of older sister,” she muttered.
“What?” Eliza frowned. “I don’t need one.”
Oye moved forward, causing Eliza to lean back raising a hand as if in defense. “Are you sure about that? I thought Sabina told you she didn’t blame you for anything.” She drew back, “You’ve got to move on.”
“Humph, easier said than done.” Eliza muttered, glaring at her.
“Then at least don’t burden Sabina with it, she’s trying to move on.” Oye said placing a hand on her shoulder. “She’s mourning in her own way. You should figure out just how you’ll do that for yourself.”
Eliza side eyed her, “And how are you mourning?”
Oye offered her a smile rather than an answer and removing her hand she made her way out.
Just as she reached the exit her smile disappeared.
She was different from Eliza and Sabina, she didn’t mourn.
She got even and if that meant she was helping the damn Jackals, then that was what she would do, but that would depend on getting Castian to leave her alone to do her work.