Page 34 of Pieces of Halves

Once Izzy is settled, I will travel toward the cascades to find Sofia. Last I heard, she was hiding in one of the mountain villages. It will be interesting to hear what she has to say to her abandoned child.

A dull ache throbs at the back of my skull. It’s not as bad as some of the others I had, but it is notable enough. The least Sofia could’ve done was leave a letter telling me about the demon lineage and how to stop these rapidly growing symptoms.

Izzy practically skips next to Rosie with a massive smile on her face as they walk down the hall together. It makes my heart swell to see her beaming like this. Rosie leans toward her ear to say something, and Izzy giggles in return.

“Her garden is beautiful!” Izzy jogs a few steps toward me, the sun reflecting magically against her hair.

I want to capture her joy for eternity and see her smile like this for as long as she lives. She deserves that, and so much more – she deserves the world.

Adrian marched past me without a glance. Scoffing, I take a step closer to Izzy.

“Any news from the scouts you sent out last night?” Adrian whispers into Rosie’s ear.

Izzy is too busy being excited about the plants and bugs, but I hear the subtle question. Rosie always had a great mind for landmarks and tactical thinking. It was one of those things that Jona encouraged when we were younger. Now, she is a queen who does not hide behind a king.

Rosie eyes me and Izzy with a small twist of her lips, then gazes up at Adrian. By the looks of it, the answer is not good, because Adrian’s jaw tenses, and he nods at Rosie.

“What is it?” I place a hand on Izzy’s hip to bring her closer.

“Victor knows that you are here and is marching towards the country border with a small army.” Rosie’s face contorts as she says the words.

Izzy inhales sharply and backs away, but I tuck close to myself. No harm will come to her, she has to believe that. Victor can march, but he will not get past the border. Even if he did somehow manage to get through, it would take him two days to get to the castle.

“Oh, don’t worry. He will not get into the country.” Rosie reassures, her eyes focused on Izzy.

Izzy’s body relaxes next to mine, but I worry that her nightmares are going to haunt her with her father so close. Sometimes, she shuffles and gets restless at night. I hold her snugly, and she settles. I savor those moments when I’m her comfort.

I will make all of your evil disappear.I tighten my arm around Izzy’s waist.

Searching for my mother will have to wait until the problem with Victor is solved, but maybe she will hear that he’s here and show up at the doorstep. Victor is the man she’s been chasing all of her life, after all.

Wishful thinking, but stranger things have happened.

The Angel.

Chapter Thirteen

ISABELLA

When we were informed that Jona, the Watching Angel, arrived, Rosie squealed with joy and ran to the entrance of the castle. The woman is a queen, yet she behaves so plainly. Sometimes, I see myself in her – the silly parts, that is. She is not damaged like me.

The sun is high, its rays seeping into the room from under the roof and behind the white columns. There is not a single breeze to help with the hot and humid air, making the fabric of my blouse stick to my skin. It’s much cooler inside than here.

I stroll next to Jacob. A few servant girls eye him and giggle. Jealousy sinks its claws into my heart, so I slide my fingers through his and stand a little closer. Maybe I should be ashamed of such ridiculous things, but he is mine, and I am not sharing him. Jacob gives my hand a squeeze and keeps lookingahead. Because I need them to know that he is off limits, I look around again to make sure they understand.

Isabella, you are being obnoxious.Nonetheless, it feels good when he tugs me closer to himself.

A tall, blond man with neatly cut hair stands next to Rosie. His shoulders are wide in his white shirt. He looks tall, but maybe that is because Rosie is standing next to him. No, Adrian is there as well, and the man is just as tall ashim. His blue eyes shine against the sunlight with such kindness that it makes me tilt my head a little.

“This is Jona.” Rosie introduces him as we get closer.

Jacob said this man raised Rosie from birth, but he does not look a day over thirty-five. Then again, he’s a Watching Angel. I suppose it’s reasonable for beings like us; age affects us differently.

“Good day.” He smiles and bows to me politely. “Isabella, I assume. Beautiful name.” He stands tall again, his eyes never leaving my face.

“Nice to meet you.” I hand him my hand, my lips stretching wide.

There is comfortable warmth radiating from him. I like it. It’s still hard to believe he raised two kids – Rosie and her sister. A few maids pass us, their gazes scanning Jona. Adrian rolls his eyes, but Jona does not seem to notice the girls or Adrian. Or maybe he is pretending to be oblivious.

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