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)
“I am not—”
“You have fooled no one, Aphrodite. All day, you sit like an angel among men, unfazed, unbothered, as if you are not part of this world. And then he appears in front of you, and you become mortal. You show your anger, your pain, your joy, your fear, and, most dearly, your heart.”
“Mama, he betrayed me—”
“He did.” She nodded. “I racked my mind for nearly four years as to why. I do not have the answer, and it made me angry just as it did you. I was ready to let him and the whole business go. But fate has afforded you a second chance, and I do not wish to see either of you waste it because of pride.”
“And I do not wish to be hurt again, Mama. Please excuse me,” I said and left the room, rushing up the stairs to my own.
I had decided to marry as she asked, and if it was to be to someone like Tristian, then fine. Who cared if he did not like nature as I did? Who cared if he thought me unable to handle the works of Shakespeare? How would my life be any different? I already did things I did not like to do.
“Odite!” Abena burst into my room.
“I am unwell, Abena. I wish to rest.”
“Papa said to give you this.”
I looked to see she held a dictionary in her hand. Sitting up, I opened the book, and sure enough, it was edited.
This would always be the condition of my life.
Under Papa, then under a husband.
“Are you crying?” Abena poked her head underneath mine.
I smiled. “Yes, with joy, Papa truly knows how to brighten one’s day, does he not?”
“I’ll tell him.” She smiled wide and took off running again. Of all my sisters, I was jealous of her the most, for she had the greatest freedom and did not even know it. Oh, how that freedom was wasted on children.
7
Aphrodite
The season was grueling. Every other day, there was breakfast or a ball or a gathering or an opening by one of the numerous prestigious families hoping to secure their daughters a well-to-do husband. And though our itinerary was full, my mother had taken note of the fact that there were fewer invitations for us this year, seemingly on account of Damon now being married. She believed that other families were worried that Hathor and I would steal all the attention of the night. What was her remedy? To host a ball herself. Thus, our house was now in splendid chaos.
“What color are you wearing tonight, Odite?” Hathor asked, rushing inside my room as I tried to read.
“I have not decided—”
“Will you please decide so I may decide?”
I rolled my eyes. “Very well, I believe I will wear white.”
“I shall wear pink!” she said and ran out.
I shook my head and turned the page again, only for there to be a knock at the door. I sighed and looked up to see Devana. “Yes?”
“Can I have your ribbon?” she asked politely.
“Let me guess, the green one?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Go on.”
“Thank you!” she replied, going through my drawer and taking it before leaving. Once more, the door shut, only for there to be another knock.
I kicked my foot and then composed myself. “Yes?”
“My lady, you have letters,” Eleanor said as she entered.
I outstretched my hand for them. The first was from my aunt, the second from Tristian, and the third…from Evander. I was tempted to open his first, but I took Tristian’s. As always, they had been inspected, as I could see the envelopes were opened.
Tristian had written, I find myself unable to wait, for I fear I may lose my chance, and seek to request the honor of your first dance this evening. —Tristian Yves.
I set the letter down and opened my aunt’s, which was mostly about her life at Drust and how she missed me now that I was gone, but I couldn’t concentrate on it. It all felt like a distraction before reading his. I could wait no longer.
I deserve your anger and reprimands, for I know that I have disappointed and hurt you. It truly was not my intent. And there is nothing I seek more than to fix what I have broken between us. Aphrodite, I will not fail you this time, I swear it. Forgive me just this once, spare me just this once…never will I hurt you again. It will be like it was, laughter between us, not bitterness. They say we cannot go back, but they say, too, that love is the greatest of all forces, and I am inclined to believe in love. Take my hand tonight and allow me your first dance. Allow it to be our first of many.
—Yours, Evander.
“Do you wish to wear the family pearls or diamonds tonight?” my mother asked.