Sorry if it took so long but I made it
Chapter 3: Cry
The next morning, Daine woke up with a fierce head ace. Her temples throbbed as if ten donkeys kicked her head all at once. From the amount of light outside she guessed it was around dawn. On the chair she saw a clean tunic and breeches. She walked over and saw a piece of folded paper on top of the clothes.
Daine,
We need to talk. Go to my workroom and we will discuss this. Don't make this hard or I'll use another, more powerful, spell to keep you sleeping,
Perin.
After reading the note, Daine ripped it and threw it on the floor. She grumbled as she got dressed and put her clothes on the bed.
Daine found the workroom beside the kitchen. She went inside without knocking, thinking it was fine to be rude in this situation. The room, like hers was grey but a bit bigger. The bed was also the same size; for only one person.
Why does this not surprise me, she thought with an inner smile.
Also in the room was a large desk covered in papers. Beside the desk on the wall was a very detailed drawing of Daine. The picture was precise down to the last curl.
"Daine, there you are."
Daine turned to see Perin in the doorway.
"What are you? Obsessed?" she said, pointing to the picture with a shacking hand.
"I thought it would flatter you. I guess you could call it… a lovers' token,"
Then, like a bolt of lighting, Daine remembered Numair. When she fell off the cliff in the Divine Realms, he found her with a scyring picture of her. Daine thought it was something more but didn't want to ask.
Fighting back tears, Daine walked to the picture and ripped it. As she threw it out of the window she said,
"It can't be a lovers' token because we're not lovers, we're not in love, and we never will be!"
"Now you're being difficult. Come. We'll discuss things in the kitchen."
He went in the kitchen and put two plates of stew on opposite ends of the table. Daine, hands clenched, walked in and slowly sat in the chair. Though she hadn't eaten for a week, Daine's stomach felt as if it were to explode.
Seeing she wasn't eating Perin said, "Am I really that bad? I mean, what do those people have that I do not?"
Daine's hands clenched even harder, making her bleed just a little.
"You want to know? They love me. They care for me. They try to make sure no harm is done to me. I can trust them and not be scared."
Daine ignored the tears on her face as memories of her new family filled her mind.
"Daine, those people don't love you. I bet their using you. Who do you think loves you? Alanna? She has a family and a job to worry about. She barely knows you exist. Onua? That girl only wanted a part-time assistant. And please don't tell me you think Numair loves you. That old hag only wants to bed you then get you out of his way." He said all this as if it were matter-of-fact.
Daine couldn't hold it anymore. She stood up, pushing the chair back to the wall.
"Don't you ever say that! You slimy son of a -!"
Daine grabbed her stew and threw it at Perin, hitting him square in the face.
"You bastard!" Perin screamed.
Daine ran out of the kitchen into the hallway, tears running down her face. He can't be right, she told herself. She ran out of the house and slammed the door behind her. She could hear Perin walking toward the door screaming her name.
"I have to get out of here," she whispered to herself and started running toward the woods.
Daine kept running until she could barely hear Perin. She sat between two trees and cried quietly to herself. The two birds she talked to the day before saw her and came by her side.
What's wrong? Asked the female.
Not wanting Perin to hear her she said silently Nothing. I'm just... very tired..
Go to sleep, then. Our flock shall guard you, said the male.
Daine laid her head back on the tree, her tears slowing to a trickle. Perin can't be right. They do care... don't they? She asked herself.
It was late at night before Daine fell asleep. She didn't realize someone had come behind her.