Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
She grinned. “You would disappoint him? Silva made him shoes on her own. Devana wrote him music and Abena brought him—well, she came with candy he can’t eat.”
“When were gifts given? I do not remember this.”
“No, you have been lost in thought, like I once was after Evander left.”
I sighed and had to shake my head. “You will not let this go, will you?”
“I am a wife, a mother, and a big sister. I am no longer allowed to let anything go.”
“Mama would be proud.”
“Were you two you speaking of me?”
We both jumped at the sight of our mother at the door, her brown eyes looking over us both skeptically.
“No, Mama,” Aphrodite and I said in unison, which made her eyebrow rise. I quickly moved to get up.
“I shall leave you two alone while I go for a walk.”
“A walk? It is snowing outside, Hathor!” Mama called out to me.
“Then I shall walk inside!” I did not wish to stand by as they both questioned me about my feelings. I barely had enough energy to face one of them alone. I knew they were worried, and I truly tried my best to keep up my spirits for their sake. The more I tried, the more exhausted it made me. The first day after he left was the hardest, because I had been so happy moments earlier. We had been married, we’d given ourselves to each other, and then he was gone. It was as if I’d been in winter ever since, seeking to stay in bed and sleep until spring came. But I could not do that; I had told my parents he promised to return, but when the weeks turned to months and there was not a single letter, I could tell they grew skeptical. But no one said anything. Instead, they awkwardly asked if I was all right, multiple times a day.
“Sweetheart?”
I turned back down the hall to see my father and Evander, dressed in their hunting attire, both of their hair wet and Father’s nose and ears a bit red with cold. They walked side by side, their valets not far behind them.
“Welcome back, Papa. How was the hunt?”
“Splendid. Your father is an excellent shot. Is that not so, Evander?” He grinned and outstretched his hand for me.
“Yes, sir, I believe you to be the best in the county.”
“Evander, you need not humor him so; you are already married to my sister.” I smiled, walking over and linking arms with him. “Papa is known to be a horrible shot.”
“I’ll have you know I caught a massive fallow deer that shall feed us all for Christmas.”
I gave him a look. “And Evander did not help in the slightest?”
“I was nothing but a spectator,” Evander lied, grinning as he did.
“See how little faith you have in me?” Papa grinned. “We are going to see it weighed, would you like to come?”
I cringed, my nose bunching up. “No. I’d rather not see the creature before he’s properly prepared for Christmas dinner.”
He chuckled. “Very well. If you change your mind, we shall be down at the stables. You are all right, correct? Why are you alone?”
“Yes, Papa. I am walking indoors, since the snow prevents me from taking the fresh air. Enjoy your day,” I said, heading back down the hall in the opposite direction.
When I heard them start walking as well, I turned back to see Papa and Evander talking, laughing as they went. It made me jealous. I was no longer of jealous of Aphrodite, but now covetous of all the moments denied to me by Wilhelm’s absence. I wished to see Wilhelm also go on hunts with Papa, but I had no idea when such a thing would come to pass. I was merely walking around aimlessly until I grew tired, but I could not go to my room to lie down, either. The maids would tell Mama, and then Mama would come check on me, followed by all my sisters, Silva, and then Damon. No one in this family allowed me to sulk in peace. It would have been funny, if it did not happen so often.
“Hathor? Where are you going? Are you all right?”
I turned around to see…Silva and Damon behind me.
For the love of all heaven and earth!
“Yes, I am fine. Are you both on your way to see Father’s fallow?” I asked, trying my best not to be annoyed.
“Father’s what? He caught a fallow?” Damon looked at me skeptically.
“Yes, apparently, and he’s quite proud. They’ve gone to see it weighed.”
“Why don’t we all go see it together?” Silva asked me.
“Thank you, but I am walking—”
“Walking to where? Outside?” Damon asked.
“No, inside. I am walking about the house.”
“Like a ghost or the mad? That is eerie, Hathor.” Damon frowned, making his wife smack his arm lightly. “What?”