Chapter 43

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. What had I done? I only wanted to help her. Now she would come with me and… I was barely aware of the priestess kneeling down next to us. She whispered something to Aki, and they got up, disappearing out of the room. A man covered with tattoos stepped forward and began to sing tales about Goddess, drumming along on a small drum. I knew I couldn’t leave, so I watched as everyone joined in, clapping their hands, and an endless stream of people seemed to pass by just to catch a glimpse of me.

It was late when I finally made my way back to my room. I flung the curtain serving as a door to the side and collapsed on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

“What have I done..?”, I whispered to myself.

The drapery rustled, and Selene came in.

“Rina...”

She walked over and sat down next to me.

“Are you okay?”

Her hand found mine, and she gently squeezed it. I stared at her.

“What have I done, Selene?”

She smiled.

“It’s okay, you didn’t do anything wrong”

“But what happened?”

“There is a story that when Goddess walked among us, some recognised her for who she really was and decided to follow her on her path.”

I sat up.

“I’ve destroyed everything. Again… She deserves better than that. She has her family and…”

I sighed, and Selene put a hand on my shoulder.

“I know, Rina, but she made her choice. Respect it.”

“But…”

I looked at her, but Selene shook her head.

“It will give her back the purpose she lost when her father died”

I sighed. Aki had seemed so happy when she announced it, but I wasn’t sure if it had been the right choice to make. Following me meant putting herself in danger. But she knew that. Was she willing to pay that price…? I sighed.

“Are you okay?”, Selene asked.

“Just tired…”, I said quietly and lied down.

She lay down next to me, but didn’t put her arm around me as she usually did. Maybe I was just anxious, but I couldn’t stop the fear from creeping in. Had I messed something up with her, too, without realising it? I hesitantly put my arm around her, expecting to be told off, but she curled up against me.

“Are you okay?”, I whispered.

“Just tired…”, she whispered, taking my hand.

The celebrations could still be heard in the distance when I woke up the next morning. Selene stirred and curled up against me. I didn’t dare to ask why or if something had been wrong yesterday, and instead, I pretended everything was normal and tried to enjoy her being close until the bustle of the house forced us out of bed.

The moment we came out to the living room, I could feel the gazes of Aki’s family. I hesitantly sat down at a table, trying to ignore it, and Kei came over and brought us food. She smiled at me, but I couldn’t meet her eyes. I would take her daughter away. She had just gotten home, and now she would disappear again. I sighed when a sudden thought came to my mind. What would Goddess have done now? I hesitated for a moment, then forced myself to turn back to her just as she was about to leave.

“Would you like to join us?”

She looked at me, surprised, but sat down. I tried to give her a reassuring smile, wondering if I was doing the right thing. I knew she wouldn’t believe me if I told her I wasn’t special, but maybe she needed to think I was so that she wouldn't worry about her daughter coming with me.

“Aki told me what happened”, she whispered and glanced at Selene.

“It wasn’t your fault”, she continued.

She sobbed, and I hesitated for a moment before I put my arm around her, and she rested her head on my shoulder.

“Thank you”, she whispered, and it took me a lot not to look away.

Moments later, someone called for her, and she got up and left. I still could feel Aki’s family glancing at me, but I knew I couldn’t hide in my room, so instead I turned to Selene. She was deep in thought, but I knew there was no point asking her what bothered her. She would never tell me, or at least I wouldn’t do it in her place, so I assumed she would be the same.

“How long will we stay?”, I asked instead.

She looked up.

“We only planned to stay until we found a guide who would lead us to Doria, but now Aki can guide us there.”

I nodded.

“We should leave tomorrow”, she concluded.

I couldn’t imagine that Karim or Uruk would have any objections to it. The sooner we learned what had happened in Marbug, the better prepared we could be if it happened at Tarnis. I sighed and shook my head, not wanting to think about it. Selene must have noticed it because she put a hand on mine, but didn’t say anything.

Suddenly, Aki ran through the door. She saw us and skidded to a halt, and then came over to us. She grinned as she halted by the table and rolled up the sleeves of her tunic. Her arms were covered in freshly made tattoos. I frowned. That must have hurt, but she only smiled as I made her space on the bench, and she sat down between us.

“Do you like it?, she asked, flexing her arms.

“Yeah…”, I smiled.

She grinned.

“You should get some too”, she said to Selene.

I chuckled and glanced at her, but she looked away.

“It would look good on you”, I teased her.

She frowned and got up, saying she would look for Uruk and Karim. I watched her leave, feeling the fear creeping up. Had I messed something up again?

“Look!”

Aki lifted her shirt and pointed to her belly. It was covered with intricate patterns that spread up her chest.

“This one really hurt “, she bragged, and I shook my head with a smile.

“Do they mean anything?”

“They do! They tell a story of those who followed her.”

I blinked.

“A story?”

I looked closer at her tattoos.

“Yes, so everyone can see the choice I made”, she smiled, and I sighed quietly.