Page 18 of Queen of Wrath

“That's what I thought. Now get out of my sight. I'm busy.” Diesel waited until Striker left before turning back to stare out the window of his office, which conveniently had a perfect view of the bedroom balcony.

That was where Omara often went to get away from everyone. He couldn’t deny that she’d been looking miserable ever since coming here, and that it ate away at him.

I almost regret leaving that shithole. Almost.

But mostly he was still scratching his head over the fact that she seemed to prefer the mud hut made of sticks and stones back in that backwater village, over the lavish home he’d gotten them here. She had everything she could ever want, and even though she’d never say it to his face, he could see the discontentment radiating from her eyes more often than not.

Diesel let out a heavy sigh.

His heart felt heavy in his chest. He only ever got anything other than cold indifference out of that damned beating thing when it involved her. He’d never cared about anyone else before.

There had only ever been Omara.

She was his be-all and end-all.

I thought once she agreed to marry me that everything would be smooth sailing…

He couldn't stand to watch her from afar any longer. Diesel made his way out of his office and into their shared bedroom.

He tried to ignore the knot in his throat as he went out onto the balcony and greeted her.

She barely turned to acknowledge him.

“Is there anything I can get you, my love?” Diesel looked her up and down, noticing that she looked sickly. It was more likely due to her mindset than her physical condition.

She paused for a moment, letting out a small sigh before speaking. “Do you know what I do when I sit out here by myself every day?”

“Please, enlighten me.” Diesel was all ears, preparing to get better insight into his dear wife’s mind.

“I wonder what atrocities you must have committed in order to afford this new life.” Her voice was gentle, but her words were not. She was blunt and despondent, as if she no longer cared what would happen to her if she opposed him.

Diesel was shocked to hear his kind, soft-spoken wife be so crass. “That's nothing you ever need to worry about. I carry all of my transgressions on my own back. Your hands are clean.”

She sat up from her chair and turned toward him with tears in her eyes. “That's not true. My soul is tainted with complacency. I sit by you and let this carry on. I'm just as guilty. Just because I'm not the one holding the knife doesn't make me innocent.”

Before Diesel could say another word, he heard someone behind him enter the bedroom.

Who dares come in here?!

He was about to throw a fit, but the moment he turned around, his temper froze over. It was Kiyan, and he stood before him looking proud. “Oh, my son. I didn't know you were home already.”

“I have something to tell you guys! It's really exciting.” Kiyan seemed like he could hardly contain himself, he was clearly very happy about something. “I met a woman who works as a talent scout for Jax's company. She saw my flying potion and was so impressed that she wanted to recruit me.”

Omara came in from the balcony after hearing this news and held out her arms. “Oh, my boy! I'm so proud of you.”

“Yeah, It's great, and Emma is so nice.”

“That's good. I'm happy to hear that. Now you need to work hard and make sure you turn out to be a good Potionist, as well as a good man.” She gave him a stern yet loving look before pulling his face in and kissing his cheek.

Although Diesel was smiling as he watched his little family celebrate, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy with the turn things were taking for Kiyan. This could put the boy in the spotlight, and that was exactly what Diesel had always tried to avoid.

7

LEA

Asoft rain tapped against the window next to my bed.

My eyelids slowly raised, focusing on the morning shower.

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