Chapter 2 #2
Dinner was simple, shredded beef with vegetables, but she had somehow made it into a delectable stew I couldn’t get enough of. The genius mixture of seasonings enhanced the savory flavors bursting in my mouth. Maybe I needed to visit that kitchen she secretly worked at.
Unbeknownst to her, I knew. She was unaware of almost everything I knew about her life, over the last year. If she found out—and if she discovered how I knew—she’d probably hate me even more.
She didn’t know about the promise I made to her brother.
She didn’t know I had memorized her route to and from work each night so I could find her if something went wrong; that I knew she liked to sleep in on rainy days, so she likely wouldn’t be out in bad weather; and how she hardly interacted with anyone other than her family anymore.
I had seen what she tried to hide most, what she thought no one else saw—how lonely she was.
Knowing I’d seen her vulnerability would definitely make her hate me more. At least then she’d have a reason for it.
When we were finished, we all said our goodbyes to Allayna, and I waited on the porch.
“See you tomorrow,” Vosten said to his mother, as the three of us left.
Vhaena breezed past me, stepping off the porch as if she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
I put my hands in my pockets and followed after her.
She stopped at the end of the darkened yard.
This far out from town, there weren’t any lanterns to light up the streets.
She wrapped her arms around herself, warding off the chilly breeze as we waited for Vosten to catch up, her long skirt swaying in the wind.
I started to remove my jacket to offer her, but she stopped me with a sharp glare.
“It’s just a jacket,” I said quietly.
“I’d rather freeze,” she hissed between her teeth.
As timid and quiet as she was with nearly everyone else, she had no problem lashing out at me. Her sweet demeanor had turned to bitterness. Her light-hearted gaze had turned into narrow glares. Long gone was the woman I once knew.
Then her brows pinched in confusion, and she started glancing around.
“What are you looking for?” Vosten asked her as he approached.
“Neo.” She looked perplexed as she tilted her head up to look toward the sky. “He’s usually here when we leave.”
My brows rose.
“The raven?” Vosten followed his sister’s gaze toward the black sky. “Maybe he’s finally left.” He shrugged. “At least he won’t annoy you anymore.”
I stiffened, bristling at his words.
The dark voice inside me chuckled mockingly.
“Fuck off.”
“Yeah,” Vhaena whispered, but there was a hint of concern in her voice, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
I wasn’t sure why the side of my mouth lifted when Vosten and Vhaena continued walking ahead of me on the dirt road.
She likes the raven.
We remained silent on our walk toward town, the gravel crunching beneath our shoes the only sound aside from our breaths—and I happened to notice hers catch when I came up beside her.
It was an odd thing to protect someone who didn’t want you around.
It made it really fucking difficult. But I’d managed to make it work without her being aware.
I had no idea how long this was supposed to last, and I hoped it wasn’t much longer.
Vosten and I hadn’t really discussed it.
Maybe it was time to revisit the topic again.
Sure, people still whispered about her, but she hadn’t been attacked in months.
Though it didn’t mean she wouldn’t be the moment her brother wasn’t around.
He was with her constantly, escorting her everywhere he could when he wasn’t at his job.
Her walk to work each night was the only time he wasn’t able to, because of how their schedules worked.
Aside from that, he was pretty much near her at all times; and when he wasn’t, I kept an eye on her.
As long as Vosten was concerned with protecting her then so was I.
Not that I actually minded.
As we walked, Vosten jabbered on about his plans for the new build. I attempted to listen, but Vhaena stole my concentration. It had been so long since I had been this close to her. She was sadder and angrier than she had been, which was a shame because she used to be so full of life.
“Thanks for dinner, Vhaena. That was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted,” I said and meant it, but a smaller part of me was hoping she’d stop despising me so damn much. Plus, I really wanted her cooking again.
She glanced at me from the corner of her eye, and her throat bobbed when she swallowed. “Th—Thank you. I’m…glad you enjoyed it.”
Her cheeks flushed, making my pulse kick up.
I hadn’t expected that kind of reaction from her—or me. Good to know she still liked compliments.
“You should see what she can do with a full day and pork ribs now. It just melts in your mouth. And her baking? I’d be fat if she baked every day,” Vosten said from her side.
She gave a polite nod of appreciation, but I saw the ghost of a smile across her lips.
I internally grumbled when we came to the juncture in the road where we would split off to go our separate ways. It was like old times. It would have been nice if it could always be this way—I didn’t want it to end just yet. Maybe if I could come up with an excuse to see her again soon…
Well, where she would also see me.
Stop. Since when did I want to go out of my way to see her after the way she’s been so dismissive to me this past year?
I shook my head, clearing away my thoughts. I told myself I didn’t want to see her again; I just wanted her great food.
“Thanks again for letting me come along tonight. See you tomorrow, Vos. Vhaena.” I turned my attention to her, but she wouldn’t look directly at me. At least it was better than a scowl. “Good to see you.”
“Uh huh,” was all she said as she turned the other direction and continued walking.
Not the greatest farewell, but she didn’t flip me off this time. That was an improvement at least.
“See ya!” Vosten said as he followed her.
I watched her for another moment before heading in the opposite direction toward my house. A few seconds later I heard Vhaena’s distant voice behind me.
“Neo, there you are!”
I smiled, watching her face brighten from above. Vosten had told me to keep an eye on her, and that was exactly what I did.
Ravens worked best. I tried a cat once, and a dog, but they weren’t stealthy and they couldn’t always give me the sight I needed. So a raven it was, and she named it Neo.
I didn’t live far from the junction, but my house was tucked back behind a small grove of trees and wasn’t visible from the road. I preferred the privacy over the closeness to the town. Not to mention, it was land I purchased from my father.
In the dead of night, it would have been difficult to even make out the silhouette of the house as I approached—but seeing as I built it, I knew every step, every square inch of my property, and could navigate it with my eyes closed.
It was nearly complete, with the exception of a few things in the interior that I worked on in my spare time.
After closing the front door, I lit a candle with the matches on the side table, then made my way up the marble staircase to my room, stopping by my office along the way to make notes for finishing the construction of the kitchen.
I glanced at my calendar to see when I would have time to complete it, but the date caught my eye, stopping me in my tracks.
Shit.
I hadn’t been paying attention to the date. How had it approached so quickly?
“It’s time…” The voice inside me sounded pleased.
“Not fucking likely,” I said sternly, and shoved it back into the hole of my mind where it belonged.
I was determined to keep it at bay. But as its receding laughter echoed, I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold it off for long. Especially knowing what was coming tomorrow…