Cruel War (The Gilded Sovereign 1)

“He loved you.” Gran’s voice is low, whispered, and I wonder if she knew he wasn’t coming home. I wonder if she ever worried about him the way I did. Perhaps in a slightly different aspect, but did she know he wouldn’t be here for my graduation.

He’d never been one for affection. Perhaps he was getting me ready for the pain, for the loneliness of not having him around. Maybe he knew that his time was up, and soon, I’d have to go on without him.

“I love him, too, he’s my dad, I will always love him.” I glance at my grandmother.

She smiles sadly and nods. “I’ll leave you to it.” Slowly, she rises and makes her way out of my room, pulling the door shut behind her. Once I’m alone. I lie back and stare at the ceiling, my mind replaying Ares’ invite from yesterday. All day today, I’d been free of his lingering gaze. Each class that passed, it became apparent that he wasn’t going to be at school.

Even in History, he wasn’t alongside his dad, who taught us about the history of the town and then sprung a random project on us. A fifteen-thousand-word paper, which needs to be handed in on Monday.

When we finished for the day, I was admittedly disappointed that I didn’t see Ares. Even though he annoys me, I sort of missed having him follow me around. Whenever he looks as me, there’s a glimmer of emotion that makes my body turn hot.

It’s strange. Having his attention on me for no reason has piqued my curiosity. Rolling over, I pull out my diary and grab a pen from the nightstand. Opening it to the last page, I allow my words to flow, scrawling in my left-handed script a random idea for my paper.

I love putting it down in ink, then heading to my computer to actually get all the words down. It’s how I’ve always done my school papers, and I love how my mind plays out the scenes like a film reel.

My phone beeps, vibrating on the mattress with an alert. I grab it, unlocking it with my thumbprint, and open the app. Frowning, I notice it’s a private number, but I open the message.

Tonight. Seven pm. If you want answers, come alone. Directions attached.

Tapping the link, I take note of the small blue line on the map that shows that the location is not far from where I am right now. Informing me of the time it will take — a fifteen-minute walk.

There’s no name, no indication of who it’s from, but I have an idea. For some inexplicable reason, I have a feeling it’s Ares. I’m not sure why he’d want me to meet him out in the middle of nowhere, and I really shouldn’t go, but my curiosity wins out.

You’ll get answers when you come to me, little flower. I want to see you.

It is him.

And even though I know my father would have a heart attack if he knew I was doing this, I ignore the niggling in my gut. All I have to do is tell Gran I’m heading to Rukaiya’s. I need answers.

My decision is made.

13

Dahlia

Pulling on my hoodie, I cover my head and make my way down the stairs to the road, which leads out of the main town and away from the school buildings, which sit like looming gods, watching over the town.

I wanted to take my car, but a walk may be better for me. I haven’t had a chance to think about anything my gran told me, and I haven’t opened the photo album she set in my bedroom. Honestly, I’m afraid to see my father’s face. He’s gone. I’m alone, and I don’t know how to think about him without the pain slicing through my chest.

I offer a smile to a few people I pass on my way up toward the hill. The forest here is thick with looming trees, which are losing their leaves. Even as we near October, there’s still green scattered about. But I know soon, there’ll be a heavy layer of snow over the whole town.

A quick glance over my shoulder is confirmation that I’m now leaving the perimeter of the town and heading just outside the edge. Gran’s house seems so far away. I told her I was taking a walk to see Rukaiya. Lying to her isn’t something I wanted to do, but I didn’t have a choice. If I told her I was meeting Ares, she would ask me hundreds of questions that I don’t have the answers for.

I’m not sure why I’m going. At least, that’s what I tell myself, but I know it’s because the questions that are burning my tongue need answers, and I have a feeling only he can give them to me. Also, I put it down to my curious nature. The same one that my father told me I get from my mother.