Page 11 of Antiletum
My already wilting heart plummets further. “But you were going to leave tomorrow.”
The owl tilts his head towards me, and I stroke a knuckle over the back of it. He bobs happily at my affection.
Tabitha offers me a soft smile. “I should have already left. My own wedding was pushed off so I could make it to yours when it was announced on such short notice.”
Tears prick the backs of my eyes. “And I’m so grateful.” I don’t argue her decision to leave tonight. What difference would a few hours really make? Besides, it’s not as if we’ve been inseparable, living on our fathers’ respective estates. “I’ll miss you,” I tell her with a watery smile.
“I’ll miss you too, cousin. I’m sure I’ll make my way to The Citadel before too long.”
Our bird companion gives a soft screech, hopping closer to me and briefly spreading his wings, almost as if he’s trying to flaunt his plumage. Or maybe he’s jealous of my split attention.
Tabitha laughs.
The owl ruffles his feathers softly, reproachful, moving closer to my side and away from Tabitha. “He really is majestic,” I observe. He makes a happy chittering sound.
“Such strange colors,” Tabitha muses, staring at the bird. “I thought most deformed offspring were rejected and starved by their mothers.”
I swear, he glares at Tabitha with undiluted hatred. Can’t say I blame him. She is being awfully rude.
Smacking against her arm, I say, “He is not deformed! Only a little different.” Something aches within me. Being a little different myself, I understand all too well. “And clearly, he’s a survivor. It’s admirable.”
She laughs. “You’re right. He is a handsome fellow.” Tabitha stands to her feet, not prolonging our goodbye. “I hope you find your answers, Delaney. And in turn, your happiness.”
I follow suit, leaving my animal friend at the window, watching us curiously. Half expecting him to fly off, he doesn’t, most likely waiting around for a snack.
Tabitha’s words needle at me, bringing up that indecision and confusion whirring within me—yet again.Deos, I give myself whiplash. I can only imagine how my husband feels. I haven’t been cruel, just… distant. While I try to figure everything out. And acclimate to my new life and surroundings. That chiding, guilty squeeze around my gut pulls me away from my want to trust. To let this go.
“Congratulations on your pairing, Tabitha.”
Without another word, Tabitha pulls me close, hugging my neck tight before letting go and walking to the door. She pauses at the threshold. “I’ll see you soon.”
Hollowness carves its way into me.
Another, quieter, screech calls, lifting my drooping head just as a tear slips from my cheek, falling to the floor. With a somewhat forced smile, I wipe it away and say, “Don’t worry. I didn’t forget about you.”
The barn owl clicks his beak once.
Going to a shelf by my door, I grab a jar with holes punctured in the lid. The first time I caught him a treat, I learned to not feed him directly in front of me. Watching him swallow a mouse whole while that worm-like tail hangs from his beak isnotfor the faint of heart, and it turns out, mine is quite weak.
Back at the cushioned window edge, the barn owl slides his head to the side, those wide black eyes staring at the glass in my hands hungrily. Laughing, I say, “Patience.”
About to give in to his hunger, my intentions are chased away by said owl hopping right next to my shoulder, mouse forgotten, to gently run his beak through my hair, smoothing a lock almost like I did his feathers. The branch covered in blueberries that he brought me catches my eye.
Gaze narrowed on him playfully, I pull back. “Stop trying to court me. I’m human. And you’re a bird.”
Deos, I’m conversing with an owl. Accusing it of flirting with me.
He looks towards the mouse I’m about to offer him and displays his freshly preened feathers.
Fair point.
Holding up my newly healed hand, the silver of myvinculumband glints in the moonlight. “I’m also spoken for.”
Abruptly, he hops from the window ledge in a flurry of wings, landing on my knee. I yelp and barely stop myself from launching to my feet. He’s only ever perched on the window before.
My heart thumps in my throat, my eyes wide while I wait to see what he’ll do, those razor sharp talons pressed against my leg.
Never mind the owl. What amIdoing!
