LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 120: This Ends Now
Maria crouched low, her back against the wall of one of the longhouses that surrounded the Chief's longhouse. She stayed quiet and had been for the last half hour. That was just the way she liked it. When you're not so visible, it makes it easier for people not to remember you.
She hid a smile as the soldiers of Albion arrived in front of the longhouse. As always, Lord Ross dismounted first and his entourage followed.
As she'd expected, Abram wasn't with him again, and this made Maria sure that her suspicions were true. Lord Ross had been displeased with Abram for hesitating before drinking the sap.
If he wasn't displeased, then there was no reason for him to leave Abram behind. Especially with what she knew of his personality.
As her father greeted the delegation and they were led toward the longhouse, Maria didn't wait to see the rest.
She turned, sprinted lightly across the outer courtyard, and from there, made her way to the Pit. Sprinting down the stairs, she made her way to her wyvern's next. The moment she came into view, the creature lifted its head to stare at her with a huff.
"Shhh." She placed a finger on her lips, a mischievous grin on her face. "We're on a secret mission."
Maria took a moment to stroke the beast's scaled snout before fetching the saddle. She quickly secured it, led the beast out to the hole, and climbed up.
"Let's go."
With a rustle of wings, they took off, soaring above the treetops and heading straight for the clearing.
A minute later, she found him where he always was, beneath the same tree. He had, of course, been waiting for her.
Abram stood perfectly still, arms folded behind him. She suspected it was something that had been drilled in him like most of his habits. His head tilted slightly as she landed, but he said nothing.
Maria slid off her wyvern's back and approached. "I figured you'd be here."
He said nothing, giving her a nod but from what she'd learnt about him the past few weeks, it might as well be a hearty wave.
"Well, I can't fault you for always being here." She smiled, looking around. "It is quiet here. And peaceful too."
"It is." He agreed.
"Come." She grabbed his hand with a grin, leading him down the path they always took through the trees.
A minute later, they were walking side by side.
Maria cast a sideways glance at him. Time to see if her suspicions were true. "So, what punishment were you given for the whole thing at the Green Tree?"
"I was not punished." Abram answered. "I was told to rest and reflect."
Maria winced. "That somehow sounds even worse."
"It was... confusing." Abram admitted. "I was not sure what I was meant to reflect on."
"You were nearly killed, and your father just said 'rest and reflect'?"
"Yes."
Maria sighed. "That's why we need to keep talking. You need to understand why things like that shouldn't happen."
He looked at her, brows faintly knit. "But nothing has changed."
"You have." She said softly. "A little."
He was quiet for a few seconds before asking, "Why do you keep coming here, Maria?"
She blinked. "Because I like talking to you. I like seeing the way you think. And maybe because I think you need someone who can teach you that you don't have to follow every command without question."
"You think I can learn to disobey."
"I think you can learn to choose."
They walked in silence again for a minute more before Maria spoke again.
"What do you think about when you're alone?"
Abram blinked. "I… do not think much. I was taught not to."
"You don't reflect? Or daydream? Or... imagine things?"
"No. I wait."
"H— How?" Maria stared at him in shock. "That's not possible. No one is ever this disciplined. You're telling me that you're like a blade that never gets sheathed. Always waiting for the next command. That's a lie, right?"
"It is not." Abram said simply. "This is what I was made to be."
She stopped walking and turned to him. "No, Abram. That's what someone tried to make you. But you're not a thing. You're a person. A person who deserves to have his own thoughts."
Abram stared at her. He opened his mouth to say something, then the sound of wings cut through the air.
Maria turned, startled, just as a second wyvern landed heavily nearby. A tall, broad figure dismounted, and her heart sank.
"Bellamy." She said under her breath.
Her brother stalked toward them, his face cold and his jaw clenched. He was pissed. Super pissed. "Maria." He grounded out. "What are you doing out here?"
"I was just—"
"With him?" Bellamy's eyes cut to Abram, who stood unmoving, unreadable. "Do you have any idea how foolish this is?"
Maria straightened. "We were just walking. Talking. It's not a crime."
"It will be if Father hears about it!" He snapped
"Then don't tell him." Maria begged, her eyes moving from Bellamy to Abram and back again. She stepped between them as if trying to shield Abram.
Bellamy stepped closer. "You think I won't? Maria, you're the chief's daughter. You can't go sneaking off to consort with the son of some foreign noble."
"He's not just some noble."
"No? What is he then? Your friend? You think he's your friend? You really think he's your friend?!"
His eyes snapped to Abram. "Look at him, Maria. Look at him! If his father gave him the other to cut you down right now, he won't even flinch. He'll do it and lose no sleep. And you think he's your friend!"
Maria held her ground. "He won't. He listens to me. And maybe he doesn't understand everything yet, but he's trying."
Bellamy's face grew dark. "I'm warning you, Maria. This ends now. You will not see him again. If I catch you near him, I'll tell Father everything."
She opened her mouth to argue, but Abram spoke first.
"I will go."
Maria spun toward him. "Abram—"
He met her gaze, calm as ever. "I do not wish to cause you trouble."
She wanted to say something, anything, but Bellamy was already pulling her back.
Abram turned without another word and walked away, disappearing into the trees.
Maria stared after him, jaw tight, heart aching.
This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.