Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Aphrodite?”
“Papa!”
He frowned. “What are you doing? It is late. Are you not weary from the day’s events?”
“No, actually. I am still quite stirred up from all the festivities and thought to calm myself with some reading.”
“I do wish your brother was similarly afflicted.” He came over to see which books I’d taken. Even though his desk was covered, he was always aware of any changes. “You wished to read dictionaries? Well, that is one way to lull oneself to sleep!”
“Er, I came across a word I did not understand and wished to search for the meaning.”
“Really?” he asked excitedly. For if there was anything my father loved, other than my mother, it was to teach. “What word? Is it rooted in Latin or Greek? I see you have taken the Latin, but you can never be too sure.”
Oh, lawks! “It was—”
“Why are you not in bed?” my mama snapped from the door. “More books! Aphrodite, we are expected at the park in the morning.”
“Of course! Good night!” I grabbed my candle and rushed past them.
“What of your definition?” my father called after me.
I did not reply but hurried up the stairs and back to my room, shutting the door behind me. I took a breath of relief for managing my escape before putting my candle down and throwing myself upon my bed. This was all foolish. I was foolish. And Evander, the duke…ugh!
I placed the pillow over my head, trying my best not to think. Willing sleep to come but each time my eyes shut, I saw that couple upon the grass. And soon, the image of them in my mind changed. It morphed into…into Evander and me.
“Aphrodite.” His voice was in my ear.
“Aphrodite.” His breath was upon my skin.
I curled into a ball, hugging myself, waiting for it to pass. But it did not. I lay there, tortured by the things I had seen, until the sun began to rise, filling my room with light. Never had I been so exhausted.
“Good morning, my lady,” my maid, Eleanor, said as she opened the curtains. “Which dress do you wish to wear for promenading in the park? The family shall be having breakfast there.”
I tossed my head to the side, not ready for the full light of day. “Tell my mama I do not feel up to the park today.”
“Good morning, Odite!” Abena dashed into the room and jumped onto my bed, giggling.
“Can you spare some of your energy, sister?” I inquired.
“How?” she asked.
“Abena!” shrieked Hathor, causing Abena to jump down and hide under my bed. Not a second later, Hathor entered and scanned the room as she held a ripped ribbon, her hair still within her nightcap. When she did not spot our sister, her honeyed eyes snapped to mine. “Where is she?”
“Good morning to you, too, Hathor,” I replied.
“Good morning. Where is the wild one?”
“I know not.”
She narrowed her eyes on me and then screamed, “Abena! Where are you! You tore my ribbon! I had it made specifically for today!” Not seeing Abena, she rushed out of the room, still screeching just as Devana entered, holding the doorknob.
“Morning.” Her soft voice was most welcome.
“Morning,” I replied and lifted my arms, allowing her to crawl into bed with me.
She lay down, and I brushed her golden curls from her face.
“Did you sleep well?”
She nodded.
“I did not.” Abena sprung up from behind the bed, and the moment she did, Hathor jumped right back into the room.
“I knew you came in here!”
Abena made a dash for it, nearly throwing Hathor to the ground. “You are older. You are supposed to forgive me!”
“You are supposed to be remorseful! And not touch my things!” Hathor called out as she chased after her.
“My lady, your dress?” Eleanor, who was quite used to our morning chaos, asked.
“May I choose?” Devana requested.
“Please.”
Devana giggled and got off the bed to look at the dresses along with my coats.
“Green!” She pointed and turned to me. She nearly always chose green since it was her favorite color.
“Green it is then,” I replied, sitting up before my mama entered to admonish me for something. Eleanor brought me a basin, and when I had cleaned my face, I looked into the mirror, staring at my brown eyes.
“Odite, you have flowers!” Abena ran back to report. “I think they came from a suitor.”
“I knew it,” Hathor grumbled, pushing Abena out of the way so she could walk into my dressing room and throw herself upon the longue. “Are you happy now? All the gifts this morning are for you. You even have the queen’s favor.”
“Favor?” I asked as I toweled my face. “What favor?”
Hathor scoffed. “Do not pretend to be ignorant. That makes it worse. Last night she spoke to you, of all the ladies there. She directed the rest of the evening to accommodate you. You!” She huffed and crossed her arms. “I swear, one would think you were her daughter.”