Diana palmed her face first with her free hand. She wasn’t entirely pleased with being the center of attention this way. I felt bad, biting my lips. What the hell was wrong with me? Why was I laughing? What was funny? Okay. Seeing Claire faint was really funny. But my laughter had gone over the board.Laura seemed to think so. The expression in her eyes told me that, and also told me that she knew that I had lied to her. She now knew I had my memories back, or at least some. If not, why would I be laughing?Queen Aliana was still smiling, her hands tucked in her white clothed thighs. And this time around, my mind latched onto that action. Why was she laughing? Was I looking hilarious? Was I looking like a clown? Did I just give her comic relief, or was it something deeper than comics?However, in all, I could see that my laughs had gone overboard, and might draft in consequences that I couldn’t imagine. My heart began to race then, within my chest, pounding like a relentless drum,
As the weight of my words settled on my conscience, I couldn't help but feel the pang of guilt and remorse that gnawed at me. I couldn’t believe that I had just referred to Noah as shit. Now, not because he wasn’t that-Oh, heck he was a bunch of shit and worse.It was just that I knew that she liked the idiot, and referring to him like that was like insulting her, like emphasizing that she was dating a shit, that she was a shit for trying to date or catch the attention of a shit.Noami’s reaction of a jaw slackening and a teeth grinding to my announcement about dating Noah had been clear; I had hurt her deeply. I shouldn’t have said that. I gulped in nothing, my eyes stretching to Diana who was now beside her mother, her eyes blinking rapidly at me. Why? I was not sure. I had no time to deliberate on that either.My thoughts were consumed by the way I had wounded Noami with my insensitivity. It was a moment of reckoning, a stark reminder of the power our words held to cause pain.He
My quivering heart won.I wanted to meet my mother. I wanted to know her.Yes, it might be too soon. Yes, it might come with consequences. But I needed to hug her. I needed her arms around me. If the worst comes to worst, I would stay with Diana and her family. Just let my mother know that I was alive. Let she be bereft of this hurtful pain.Still, Dora? Really? You couldn’t think of a better name that didn’t have the same syllabic pronunciation like your real name? My mind chided me, yet I looked unfazed, refusing to give my feelings away.I hadn’t been thinking. I hadn’t stopped to think of the best name to give my mother. ‘Dora’ had just escaped my mouth, before my brain had dwelled on it.But that wasn’t what was causing my heart to race against itself. No. The name given to cover my identity was secondary to the cause of my nervousness now.My heart raced as if it had a mind of its own, each beat quickening with the building anticipation. The thud in my chest echoed in my ears,
As I stepped out of the vibrant party hall, a rush of cool night air greeted me, carrying with it the distant echoes of laughter and music. The sight outside was a stark contrast to the pulsating energy within—people danced under the luminescent glow of string lights, laughter intermingling with the soft strains of music. Couples shared stolen moments of intimacy, lost in the euphoria of the night.Huffing in mild exasperation, I navigated through the jubilant crowd, my gaze sweeping over the scene of revelry. Seeing others lost in embraces and kisses heightened my sense of detachment. While the atmosphere buzzed with celebration, I yearned for solitude, a reprieve from the clamor of the festivity.Seeking solace in the quieter, darker side of the valley, I wandered away from the lively throng, my steps guided by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees. In this tranquil haven, I found refuge, a space to dwell in my thoughts undisturbed.As I settled in this serene sol
Stranger? I mused sardonically. Strangers indeed. I huffed and looked away from him as he leaned against the same wall where I sought solace, a perplexing silence settling between us, punctuated only by the faint whispers of the night breeze. The air crackled with unspoken words, the weight of the recent events lingering palpably.His unexpected presence ignited a tumult of conflicting thoughts within me. What was he doing here, standing beside me, when he should have been immersed in the realm of his chosen mate or comforting his grieving girlfriend? The intricacies of his life, entangled in relationships I didn't fully comprehend, stirred a simmering curiosity within me, even though I had no intention of voicing them out. It was best we remained in no speaking terms.As I stole a glance at him, his profile bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, a myriad of questions swirled within my mind. The enigma of Adam's presence beside me in this moment of turmoil and vulnerability tugged at
Adam’s words hung in the air, laden with an unspoken challenge, a line drawn in the sand. The gravity of his ultimatum reverberated through the silence, sending a jolt of apprehension coursing through me.Conflicting emotions surged within me—fear, uncertainty, and a tinge of indignation at the sudden intensity of the situation. His unexpected proposition caught me off guard, my thoughts spiraling in disarray as I grappled with the significance of his words.He would kiss me?Caught between the walls of silence and the impending threat of an unwanted advance, I stood frozen, my mind racing with a tumult of emotions. The weight of his demand bore down on me, a choice looming between breaking my silence or facing an unwelcome gesture.He wouldn’t dare!Ignoring my blaring alarming bells, I scoffed, and tried to get away from him-wondering later why I had done this, if maybe a little part of me had wanted him to rise to his challenge.Adam effortlessly drew me back with just one hand int
The resemblance in the faces of Daniel and Adam, when they were delivered an insulting blow was strong and comical. Adam was looking at me like I had punched his gut. It took him a full minute to recover from the punch. By that time, I had already taken two steps backward, my eyes darting to the lightened entrance in case I needed to make a head run away from this monster, in case he decided to get physical. He didn’t. “Why did you say that? Are you calling me a shit?” He asked rather, still looking perplexed. I was sure he wasn’t accustomed to being dissed by a girl.“At least you aren’t dumb.” I muttered, aware that he could hear me. “As I mentioned before, I don’t have the time for a chit chat. But if you are looking for someone to warm your bed tonight, then find someone else. Although, I will suggest you freshen up your mouth first, it smells like fish and garlic. Not a good combo if you ask me.” I stated nonchalantly, folding my arms across my chest, a smirk threatening to
As I glimpsed the familiar figures in the distance, a rush of adrenaline flooded my veins, setting my heart pounding against my ribcage. My breath hitched, catching in my throat as an unmistakable wave of panic surged within me. It was them—my other tormentors, approaching from afar.My muscles tensed involuntarily, and my mind raced with memories of the torment they had inflicted upon me, the scars both visible and hidden. The air felt thinner, suffocating me as I grappled with the sudden onslaught of fear and distress. Every nerve in my body seemed to vibrate with an alarming urgency, warning me of the impending confrontation.My hands trembled, and a cold sweat formed on my brow despite the mild night breeze that whispered through the trees. I fought to control the rising tide of panic, but it was an uphill battle, a war against the haunting memories and the raw emotions they evoked.I desperately sought an escape, my instincts urging me to flee, to hide from the impending confro