"You want to join me?"
I nodded mutely. Zagi and I were seated across each other. Zagi leaned forward to look at me in the eye, with a smirk on his face. "Does this have anything to do with making Thor jealous?"
I shook my head.
"Then?"
I shrugged.
"Hm." Zagi frowned. "Well, I suppose you can join us. Your power will be…"
Someone rapped on the door, and opened it. It was Karim. Zagi took one look at her face, and dismissed me. As I walked out the door, I could hear them murmuring to each other, then there was silence.
I walked numbly to Tiz's cabin and opened her door. Thor was with her, and he was hugging her. I started to close it, but it squeaked, and Thor looked up sharply. Tiz looked around at me, and smiled, beckoning me in. I shook my head, and started to turn around, but Thor let go of Tiz and strode over to me. He grabbed my shoulder. "I need to talk to you."
"There is nothing to say," I shot back, stumbling over my words. I tried in vain to dislodge his grip on me, but he just tightened his hold. "Please, Zia."
Something in his voice touched me. I sighed. "Make it quick."
"I just want to know…" Thor hesitated, then said, "Let's go for a walk. I'll be right back, Tiz."
He grabbed his cloak and we walked alongside each other in silence. He finally broke it. "I just want to know, why did you hit me?"
I shrugged.
"Please tell me, Zia. Third said that only you have the power to say it," he pleaded.
I kept quiet.
He stopped, and faced me, putting two hands on my shoulders. "Is it…" he hesitated, and looked away, as if embarrassed to say it.
"Is it what?" I asked coolly.
He took a deep breath and looked straight into my eyes. "Is it because you like me?"
…………………………
Is it because you like me? Is it because you like me?
The sentence taunted me as I watched Tiz play cards with Thor and Third. I was curled up in the corner, trying not to cry.
Flashback: Thor's POVI watched her face carefully, but other than her not looking at me and her whole body starting to tremble, there was no reaction to my question.
"Zia?"
She was shaking all over. "No!" she choked out. "I don't, and never will." Tears welled up in her eyes.
I felt a little sad. I had hoped… yet I have no feelings for her, except of those as a friend. Anyways, no man could be so lucky to get her complete trust, her love. But that brought me back to square one.
"Then why did you hit me?" I asked gently.
"Because… because…" she stuttered, still shaking. "Because… I was afraid!"
"But why?"
"You know why!" she screamed, and ripped herself away from my grip. "I'm going back." As she turned away, I thought I saw a tear shining on her cheek.
End of flashback – Zia's POVTiz and Thor were standing up, so I did as well. Third had left some time ago. We wrapped our cloaks around ourselves in silence, even Tiz. I remembered her words. Am I not good enough? Thor was a fool to turn from a woman who can return his love, full force.
It was strange, I thought as I waited for them. Tiz loves Thor, who loves Karim, who loves Zagi. Karim must love Thor as well, or she would not have kissed him. And I? I don't fit in that cycle. I never will fit in any. The thought was depressing, even though I reminded myself daily; no marriage, no child. I didn't know why I couldn't; yet I knew that I could not.
There was a cry outside, one of, "Zagi! Wait!" Karim! What did Zagi say to her? What did he do to her? I shivered as I remembered the silence behind me as I walked out Zagi's cabin. Did they kiss?
Thor, however, sprung into action, and ran after Karim. With a shrug and an eye roll, Tiz and I closely followed him. We ran here and there, seeing her round corners. Then, we found her. She lay on the snow, eyes closed, her hair spilled out like wine on a white carpet.
"There you are!" Thor hurried to her. I saw that his face was filled with love and concern. A sudden thought rushed through me. If he's happy, so will I be. There's nothing to it. But if she breaks his heart, I will kill her with my own bare hands.
I went to where Thor was kneeling on the snow next to Karim, and stood behind him with Tiz. Thor shook her shoulder. "Karim? Karim!" He turned her over, and I saw the knife stuck in her stomach. I gasped. If Thor was alone, he might have cried, but now he just stared, muttering under his breath. "Who did this to you? Tell me, please, Karim."
Tiz's face was sad yet relieved. I understood her face. Maybe now Thor will love me, her face seemed to say. I knelt near Karim, and touched her hand. It was stone cold. Thor looked at me. I could see the sadness in his eyes as I passed my hand over her face, and nothing happened. "She's gone now, Thor," I said, softly, not unkindly, I hope.
He nodded, and bit his lip. I stood, and left Tiz to comfort him. He needed her love.
Love. It was a dreadful thing. It can kill without warning, leaving the dead half's love broken and traumatized. It also took away one's happiness just for the others'. Yet, it was also a good thing. I would never understand this love, I thought dryly, stepping over a mound of snow. Third came over to me. "What happened?" he inquired, seeing my face.
I told him what had happened since he left, but Third merely smirked when I told him what had happened to Karim. I blinked. "Third? Did you hear what I said? Karim has-"
"Died. Yes, I was paying attention. Thor'll get over it soon. It was necessary for her to die."
I stared at him. He was always short, but with Thor, he was always concerned. Why was he so cold now? And what did he mean by saying that it was nece–… I gasped. Was he saying that he killed Karim? But for what? I opened my mouth to ask, but he was already walking away.