Page 4 of King of Pride and Talons

Then again, Breya had the privilege of being born a witch. A healer. She had an obligation to fulfill that gift and help others. For that, Anya was envious.

“I can’t complain.”

“No. You won’t complain. There’s a difference.”

Breya sipped her lemonade one more time, wishing it had been something stronger.

“It’s just… I love what I do. What I can do. But with studying magic on top of working with the village healer, I just… I just never really put any effort or thought into settling down. And now I feel like maybe I missed my chance.”

“You didn’t miss your chance,” Anya said in her motherly tone. “You’re still young. I never thought you wanted something like this.”

Breya shrugged and kept her green eyes cast down. “I didn’t either. Not until lately. I just feel like something’s…” She was trying to find the word that didn’t sound as hopeless as she felt, but there was none.

“Empty?”

Breya let out a heavy sigh at the admittance. “Yes”

Anya placed a motherly hand over her sister’s.

“It’s fine to feel like that.”

Breya pulled her hand away. “I know. I just hate feeling like that. Sorry for myself. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I am. It’s just lonely working all the time.”

Anya chuckled. “Don’t be defensive. I’m your sister. It’s important I know your fears so I can make fun of them later.”

“Oh, ha-ha.” Deep down, she knew Anya was right despite her teasing. It helped to say out loud what was bothering her. So she took a breath and turned herself to fully face her wise sister.

“I have no idea where to begin. I don’t have to have a family or a man to prove myself, but it would be nice to share things with someone. Or have someone to come home to and not always have to visit you for conversation.”

“I get it.”

“But the thing is, I don’t even know how to meet a man. It’s always been foreign to me and now… I’m sure it’s something I can’t learn.”

“That’s because you haven’t really tried.”

“I have!”

Anya gave Breya a knowing look. “Oh?”

“Well, not hard. But no one in this town interests me. That’s why I never pursued anything before. Or cared. And it’s just a lot on my plate right now to search for someone from a different town.”

“If you want the result, you have to put in the effort.”

Breya glared at Anya’s smug face as she heard her quote the very reason Breya gave her as to why she worked so hard on her magical studies.

Instead of retorting, she turned to watch her sister’s family play and rocked back in her chair.

“I just wish I had someone to go with me, so I didn’t feel so awkward.”

“You never asked me if I’d go,” Anya said, acting hurt.

“Would you?”

“Not a chance. I did my time.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Before Breya returned to her overthinking state of mind, Anya touched her hand again.

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