A Gift from the Goddess by Dawn Rosewood

Chapter Forty-Four “...What?” I dropped my hands instantly and moved backwards out of his arms. “Feelings for me? Like friendship? Because we had always been friends in my mind, Cai. It was you who denied it, remember?” My chest was beating so hard that I felt like I was about to faint. He walked towards me, immediately closing the space I‘d just made between us, and cupped m y face in his hand to make me look up at him. I felt frozen in place staring up into his eyes that appeared to be completely serious. “You know what I meant, Aria,” was all he said to clarify.

I felt my mind go completely blank as he held my gaze, having been taken completely off guard by his sudden confession. But finally, after a few moments, reality kicked in.

I pushed my way backwards again, confusion slowly registering over everything he’d just said.

How could that even be possible? If that was true, then why would he have waited so long to tell me? Why keep it from me for two years? And then a sickening realisation came to me. A reason why he might have waited so long before making a move on me.

“…How many times have you used that line on girls before?” I finally asked. “...You think that now, because I‘m older, that I‘m fair game? That I‘m just like the girls you would take to empty classrooms on your lunch breaks to screw?”

His face fell and he looked taken aback. “What? Aria, no–.” 

“I thought you would have grown up at least a little bit whilst you were gone,” I said, my voice increasingly becoming more agitated the more I thought about it. “Is that actually all you wanted? Did you even care about fixing things between us? Or was it just that you‘re in town for a party and you’re looking for a quick lay before you go back home again?” “Aria, no, you‘ve got it all —.” “You’ve been back in my life for not even twenty minutes, Cai, and already you’re trying to pick me up after ignoring me for two years?”

He’d gone from admitting he‘d hurt me... to trying to hit on me. Which part of that did he think I would ever consider okay? I was willing to forgive him, to move on and mend something that had been weighing me down for so long... but this...? I could feel angry tears beginning to fall down my face again as I furiously swatted them away. “You know what? No. Fuck you, Cai. I‘m not going to be some name on your playboy to-do list. Fucked a Saintess? Better tick that one off, aye? Bet you won’t find another one of those in the country, right?” “Aria! Will you please just—.” 

“I never cared that you went around doing it. It was never my place to judge. It still isn’t. But don’t go dragging me into some sick game to tease me, Cai. I‘m not the same vulnerable girl I used to be years ago. And I don’t need you to pour fake pleasantries over me just to feel validated.”

“What the fuck, Aria–.” 

“No! Enough. There are plenty of girls who will be interested inside… but not here.” He looked hurt as he went to leave but I told myself it was just because I hadn’t given in to his ridiculous attempt of getting into my pants. … Because it was better than the alternative. The alternative where he was actually being sincere and had real genuine feelings for me, not just the typical Cai feelings about women. Because that was something I didn‘t want to consider, something I couldn’t consider. The implications of being with someone like Cai were extremely messy for myself and my current position

Not to mention I had been reborn with the purpose of surviving to stop the future from happening again. There was no room for romantic feelings or more heartbreak. I’d already lived through that once… I’d already been killed for that. I turned around to hide my face so I wouldn’t have to watch him walk out. It was already too difficult to deal with without having to see those goddamn sad eyes of his.

He knew just as well as I did that us being together would only cause problems, so why would h e even try? Or why not just be honest and say he only wanted a one night stand? At least then I could have turned down the offer without him making me feel so emotionally confused.

seem as if he had no respect for me or our friendship if he would even attempt this. As if I were going t o just fall at his feet, grateful he was even talking to me again. Is that how

yet I felt conflicted inside. A lot of thoughts and feelings I wasn’t sure how to process, or know whether or not I even wanted to process them. ....You did the right thing,‘I heard her whisper inside; the old me. ‘Either way, this is the best thing for us.‘ “I know that!” I hissed angrily to myself. “Fuck... give me a break, you cynical bitch.” “Are you okay?” a voice then said behind me, making me jump in surprise. I quickly turned around and saw a girl. She was young, maybe not much older than myself, with black wavy hair and bright blue eyes. I didn’t recognise her from the Winter Mist but, for the lack of a better word, she was actually very beautiful.

EPRESSED 

breeze caught my eyes. Thank you though.” She smiled reassuringly, seeing through my obvious lie, but ultimately decided to keep walking. She must have been able to tell from my tone that I didn’t want to talk about it or want company. But as she left, I couldn’t help but

to find someone?” I

said, turning back around to smile timidly at me. “Well… not really. It’s complicated.” Her cheeks blushed slightly. “Maybe I can help?

walked back over to me eagerly. “Their

they were. “Why are you looking for them?” “Oh… well…,” she said. “I don’t know... it‘s silly.”

in terrible danger about two years ago and their information ended up saving my life. I’d actually be dead right now if it weren’t for them,” she said, talking excitedly as if retelling

they were because they were me. It

less than noble means. “…So, you want to find them to... thank them?” Her

front of me,

“...Why?” I asked. 

could have possibly known what they did in order to save me… and all I could come

in the future. I was genuinely happy to see her alive and well though. Through all the upsetting things that had occurred this night, it was nice to see a product of something good that could happen. I got that same fuzzy feeling inside looking at her, just like

the country in search of someone who didn’t exist made me feel guilty. She was hopeful that the love of her life was some foreign man who saved her via their deep connection.

the light in her eyes die at my words and I really did

off. “That‘s okay, I guess. It was just a stupid fantasy anyway.” “Ahh… I’m sure they would be glad to see you doing well though if they helped save your life,

better but I honestly was at a bit of a loss for what to say. She smiled a little brighter.

way,” I said and held my hand out to

change, a more genuine smile spreading o n her face. “Iris Sullivan. You said ‘Aria‘, right? I‘ve

hoped this wasn’t going to turn into a conversation about

for girls like me. What with being a Beta heir and