er wa

bel

ps are already on the larger side; you don

ourse, Marie." She was right, but it didn't mean I was

tinues to run her fingers through my hair to help

I was running out of time. I couldn't stop thinking about what

make sense of all this random informat

can't help but worry about him. It was unlike him to be absent

t right, and I

new what was best for me, and if he had declined the ide

ug my legs to myself and stare down into the bubbles in the bath. "The night of the ceremony was so magical." She b

hat came out o

ni

set than I let on. I didn't understand how they could s

e, and with hesitancy, I speak. "Do you... Miss him?" I dare to ask as

" Her tone, sharper than before, snaps, and my shoulders tense. "We

act that I've been worried out of my mind while she sits bac

ting so I can stare into her angry eyes. "He stopped being my son the moment

r and moves on to scrubbing my shoulders with the stiff-bristle brush. "We are lucky that Father Lucas st

m, M

an unimpressed hum. "If you were, you wouldn't be speaking of such horrible thi

r was useless. She never understood, and sometimes I only felt

escalated, and so, I settled for something less te

sex

I was to give myself to Dillan, but I

crude manner, young lady. What has gotten into you?" She

'd have something to say about that, too. In a monotone vo

. I would much rather get ready myself, but Marie is a p

t, but the future of The Colony is more important. All y

aid than done, but I didn't push it. I briefly debated telling Marie about how

ings reserved and between us, and I think

continues, and I want to groan because once she

m feel good; it will make you feel good. Regardless, it's an honor to be contributing to The

ss of yours." She mutters, glancing down at me with disapproval, before sp

inking further into the tub before holding my breath and

round me would stop, my thoughts and feelings would all be d

nking, talking, wo

omes from being underwater take over, and I b

en those few minu

ing with elders is so lame." Dillian dra

ng around the reception hall

y use on the outside." He mutters, and I can

for Father Lucas and running errands for him in th

got, and it's been making me a

temper flaring. "An

"It should be pretty self-

preciate the way he constantly made m

t walk due to a foot injury. So technically, I do know w

smile crosses my face. "Goodness, Isabella,

ick up our pace accordingly. "No. Your

imes Dillan got on my nerves. The tempo once again rises, and w

e I feel a sharp

looking anywhere but me. Imbecile.

hard to contain. And it gets even harder to stay calm when Dillan merely glances

trance of the reception hall to see

hall. It was adorned with round tables seating paren