she went back to doing the movement Nora had instructed.
“You need to work on your defence. You leave yourself open for an attack.”
She didn’t answer me as she continued through her stance. Picking up the swordNora had been using, I stepped in front of
Ornella. She kept her eyes away from me, refusing to make eye contact.
“And your stance is wrong. Copy me.”
I made the correct movements in front of her, hoping to catch her eye line. Eventually after a few minutes, she looked at my
legs, slowly dragged up to my arms and then finally my eyes.
“Why do you care if I can fight?” she asked.
“Because I may not always be there to protect you.”
“The only one I need protecting from is you.”
She threw down the wooden sword, heading towards a small table where a jug of water and glasses had been placed.
Pouring herself a drink, she turned her back to me. I tried to calm the anger that rose from her sudden outburst. I deserved it.
I’d told her I’d kill her. I’d admitted it and then when I tried to take it back, it was too late. Feeling anything for her was
confusing, annoying, and down right consuming. We were now husband and wife. I had made those promises and that vow in
front of my court and the Goddess herself blessed it. However, I wasn’t sure if I could fully believe them. Let alone fulfil
them.
“Is this how it will be?” she asked, turning slightly towards me.
“How would ‘what’ be?”
“Us. I knew deep down we would not become this epic, great love story, but I’d hoped we would become something sweet,
something loving.”
I could hear the ache in her voice as her words broke. Knowing that pain was because of me, because I pushed her away,
too far, too much, it caused me a pain I couldn't describe. With every deed, every word, I was pushing her further away from
me. Did I mean it? I wasn’t sure. Had I intended for this to happen? Maybe.
She believed she wasn’t worthy of love. She was. She was worthy of more than one could ever give.
I was the one who didn’t deserve it. I was a monster. Monsters didn't deserve love or kindness. I’d hurt her brother to trick
her into marrying me. I’d kidnapped her from her family and was already plotting their deaths. All while knowing and not
caring it would hurt her deeply.
“I thought as much.”
When I didn’t answer, she turned away from me and placed her cup down on the table. There was that faint pull again in the
pit of my stomach. That invisible line that urgently wanted to pull me towards her. To wrap my arms around her and beg her for