The Heir of Night

15

Theia didn't want to return to the tavern the next night. She feared that she would run into the male again, or Elena would hassle her for details of her first kiss. When she left the bakery, Theia chose to distract herself for the few moments before her shift at the tavern by checking on her home. It had been a month, and she was excited to see what changes could have been made. Her boots crushed the snow and soil as she marched down the familiar road.

A smile found it's way onto her lips as she neared the small gathering of abandoned homes, excitement twisting her stomach. When her eyes fell onto her home, her smile and stomach both dropped. Nothing had been done to it. She took off for the front door, shoving it open and being met with chilled air and a snow dusted floor.

Her knees shook as she walked into her home. It was nothing more than the buildings beside this one; empty and void of life. The roof had begun to cave during the heavy snowstorm the week before, dropping piles of white cold through the holes. The cracked window had gotten worse and wind had spread loose papers and snow throughout. Her mother's chair and table remained in heaps on the ground.

A startling laugh left her. Why did she expect the High Lord to do anything? It seemed like he had nothing better to do than sit around in his palace and scold his wife and child. How could she assume he would stay true to his word? He never had before. Rage bubbled in her belly and Theia sent her foot through the pile of wood splinters that used to be Maia's chair.

It wasn't her home, it was hardly a home at all. It was a pile of wood just like this chair. Theia turned and left the log cabin. The door slammed behind her and the force had bounced it back open, but she didn't care. It didn't matter, a door was less protection than a roof. Her rage simmered beneath her skin as she made her way to the tavern. Only a week and she'd be able to confront the High Lord for his negligence once again.

The tavern was busy, but nothing like it had been the night before. It seemed like only one group of trainees had come into the village tonight. Elena was setting ale atop the counter with a wide grin, being her usual self with her conversation. Theia hung her coat on the rack and stood behind the bar, waiting for someone to make an order.

It didn't take long before requests of ale and whiskey were being thrown her way. Theia welcomed the business, it kept her mind quiet. Listen to the order, grab a glass, fill it with ale or whiskey, set it on the counter. She repeated this for a long while, not lifting her eyes to the customers. She prayed to the Mother that the male wouldn't come into the tavern tonight, but that prayer fell short.

In he walked, hazel eyes and brown curly hair. His face was healed, to no surprise, but his chest rose in fell in short breaths as though his kicked ribs were still aching. Theia tried her best to slip behind Elena, who still had not spoken to her, but the male had already spotted her. Her heart raced as he approached, eyes set on her like a wolf stalking its prey. He'd kill her, he's going to kill-

"May I speak to you a moment?"

Theia frantically looked around the space behind the bar as if she would find an excuse to not go, but Elena- curse her- spoke first. "Go ahead, Theia. I've got it covered back here."

Theia wanted to plant her knuckles into the back of Elena's head when she shot her a wide grin and a wink. She didn't know what had happened, and it may just be the last moment Theia breathed. Her legs shook dramatically as she walked out from behind the counter and followed the male out of the front door. He led her to the corner of the building, not hidden but not entirely in view of anyone walking into the tavern.

"Look, I wasn't aware you and the heir had something. I should've listened to you when you told me you didn't want me anymore, I shouldn't have pushed you. It may have hurt like Hell but I deserved a split tongue, I'm sorry." Her eyes were wide and her chest felt like rocks had made their way into her lungs. The heir?