“Who gave you the earring? Who is with the other pair?”
Ula pointed at the man and he scoffed.
Aniya smiled, and adjusted Ula’s scarf. “Good.” Ula trembled slightly, still afraid and unsure of what this interaction might bring. When Aniya offered her a hand, she flinched slightly, eyed it with suspicion and fear before she took it.
The moment she was on her feet once more, she let Aniya’s hand go immediately and took a step back.
“Face me with whatever accusations you have and let her go.”
Aniya ignored him, instead she asked Ula if any child had been brought to the Temple recently to which Ula confirmed that it was true.
“He cries a lot.”
That brought Aniya no comfort at all.
Arlo wasn't the type of child to always cry.
By Ignas, what were they feeding her poor son?! Were they even taking care of him?
“The Head Mistress tries her best.”
That still wasn't enough. It didn't feel enough!
The urge to see him rushed over her but from what she had learnt so far, sometimes others were made to suffer for the crime of another and that wasn't what Aniya wanted for her son.
Who was to blame for this?
Ikrus! It was all Ikrus!
Her hatred for him rekindled and her anger towards him unleashed in her veins.
This was all his fault! Everything was his fault!
Her grip tightened around the dagger in her hand, till the blade nipped her skin, snapping her back into the moment.
“Ula, listen to me very carefully.”
Ula nodded, eager to please and exonerate herself from this situation.
Instead of making Ula take her to the Temple, she instructed Ula to take care of Arlo, keep her eyes on him and report back to her.
“I will give you a bottle of milk to give him. Make it warm when you give it to me.”
“That shall be done.”
“Now you wait for me at the Stone Bleachers.”
Without saying another word, Ula rushed out of the tent, leaving them alone.
“The Gamma can do nothing to me, he is in the dungeon, remember?” The Silver-haired man said before Aniya had the chance to speak.
“Has being in the dungeon ever stopped him?”
She didn't know the answer to that but when fear clouded his eyes, she got her answer.
By Ignas, he was that dangerous?
Despite it giving her the upper hand in this conversation, she didn't know how to feel about it.
Nervous and relieved. That and a bundle of feelings.
“The Alpha will protect me.”
It was her turn to scoff.
“Just like the Alpha protected your companions that died that night. I heard they were a gift to him. Would you like to be a gift too?”
In a second, his hand was around her neck with a deadly grip.
“What do you want, you ugly female?!”
As if stupid words like that could hurt her. However, not being able to breathe properly was really annoying.
She took his free hand to hold the dagger and held it towards her heart. Showing him that death by his hands wasn't something she feared but something he should fear.
He caught on quickly and pulled away, letting the dagger slip to the floor as he let go of her.
“What Do You Want, You Manipulative Whore?!”
She slapped him again and this time, all he could do was press his hand against his cheek.
“Your foul words will stop at once and you will obey me.”
He was so stubborn! She hated him.
“You will win the Hunt and request for the return of my son and I back to my Realm.”
His eyes widened. “I will not do that. I have plans—”
“And I do not care.”
“People will suspect!”
She smiled beneath her veil and trailed her finger along the neckline of his shirt. “But we shall be friends before then. Shall we not?”
“The Gamma will kill me.” His whisper was laced with something more than fear.
She frowned. “Not that type of frie—”
“What are you doing?” Someone said from behind her.
Aniya froze. She hadn't noticed the Princess coming into the tent.
What was she doing here?
“Oana, finally!” She turned around and sniffled beneath her veil like she had been crying. Standing next to Oana was her blonde friend, who stared at her suspiciously. It was a different look from Oana who just looked at her with confusion.
“I was looking for you when I fell. I think I twisted my ankle. This warrior here helped me. Also, I scratched my hand.”
Aniya leaped as she walked to Oana who met her halfway to help her remain standing.
“Oh, Eldrick. My deepest gratitude for your help.” Oana declared genuinely.
“It is my pleasure, Princess.”
“Yes. My deepest appreciation, Eldrick, for your help.” Aniya said appreciatively but they both knew there was more to that.
“It was nothing. Shall I carry you back?” He added, although he wished he wouldn't have to.
After what had happened in the tent earlier, being with this veiled female scared him.
“That will not be necessary. Right, Oana?” The blonde friend spoke.
Goldie.
Aniya had heard Oana call her Goldie.
That must be her name.
She was looking at Oana like those words meant more than their ordinary meaning and that made Aniya uneasy.
Did they catch on to what had happened in the tent? How long had they been around? Had they heard? Did they know that she was lying?
“Yes,” Oana nodded and flashed her a smile. “I will get a guard to help you, Any.”
While Goldie stepped out to get her guard to aid her back to her room, Aniya couldn't help but wonder what the Princess was doing here.
What was her relationship with Eldrick?
____
____
[GAYA’S GARDEN]
Belladonna couldn't hide her excitement, despite how Alaris had been against her desire to go to the Resurrection Ground before going to get the gem, he had given in and now they were on their way to the Resurrection Ground.
They would get there soon.
She couldn't wait to see Eli again. To have him in her arms, warm and alive.
“Are we there yet?” She asked for the millionth time.
“No,” Alaris answered like a grumpy old man who was tired of the world.
Although the experience with the siren was scary and costly, Belladonna was selfishly glad that it had happened. Because of that encounter, they still had time enough to visit the Resurrection Ground and get the gem, it made her feel less guilty about everything.
Something caught her eyes, white flowers on the side of the road.
Belladonna bent to pluck them. Thankfully, ever since they came across the Tree of Life, everything they touched to eat had stopped turning into ashes. Hopefully, this too would remain as it was.
Eli would like it. He didn't get to touch many things that he wanted to touch before he died.
He would love this very much.
The moment she touched the flower, the image of the Tree of Life glowed golden in her eyes for a split second and a voice echoed in her mind like her own thoughts.
‘There are no white lilies on the way to the Resurrection Ground.’
She blinked and stood up.
“Hurry up, Nightshade. We don't have time.”
“Where are you leading me?” She asked with such a grave voice, he had to turn back and look at her.
“To the Resurrection Ground.” Then he frowned. “You saw the sign, we picked this path together.”
An image flashed in her mind, an image of the sign with a stain of blood on it, and loose soil. It was something she had seen before and only now noticing.
“You went before me to kill the beast… and changed the sign.”
“Nightshade, we don't have time for this!” He snapped and moved back to get her. “Come with me. Eli is waiting.”
Belladonna staggered back, crushing the lily in her hand as anger flashed in her eyes.
“You liar!”
At her words the earth rumbled beneath them.