Bellona (Part 1.5 of The Saskia Trilogy) Read Free Page B

says through large bites of food. “More wine,” he roars, which is completely unnecessary as a servant stands only three feet behind him.
    “Bellona is tired,” my mother says and panic takes over me.
    “No. No, I would love to see the gardens.”
    Mother’s nose flares. “But you need your rest.”
    I want to cry, this is so unfair and her look of steel suggests I should shut up, so I do.
    “Go. Go on.” It is my father who allows it. He has never done anything kind but right now I want to hug him, but of course I don’t. I jump up and my mother gives me a tight smile. I will pay for this later, but right now I get to spend time with Nierra.
    My heart is frantic, my steps careful. I twist my hands nervously, as we walk. I steal glances at Nierra from under my eyelashes. He catches me a few times and smiles. My cheeks blaze with colour. I know I look white; no color will penetrate the heavy white powder that coats my face.
    “I haven’t seen you at the training ground recently?” His words freeze me.
    “I would never… go there... never.”
    He laughs, actually laughs, while throwing his head back; the sound has my stomach erupting with butterflies. He looks at me now while still smiling. “It is okay. I actually like that you come to see me train. To be honest I missed you.”
    “Missed me?” I was stuttering now, but he continues to smile, his green eyes lighting up. A smile grows on my own face with happiness; my hand shoots up to cover it. Nierra looks at me with confusion, his hand gently touching mine and removing it from my face. 
    “Don’t cover your smile Bellona, it’s so beautiful.” I can’t look at him now. This is a joke that my mother must have put him up to. I pull my hand angrily out of his and watch as a look of disbelief crosses his face.
    “You don’t believe me when I say you’re beautiful.” His words are so sincere I want so badly to believe him, but I am afraid.
    I shake my head, unable to trust my voice, and his disbelief deepens.
    “Are you telling me that no one has ever told you, that you are beautiful?”
    “No,” I whisper.
    Sadness fills his eyes and then he smiles softly. “I think you are. Beautiful Bellona.” My heart soars as he takes my hand and this time I don’t stop him as we continue walking. He talks about himself, his training, his best friend Morrick. Books he likes to read and his favourite horse. I know all of this already, I have watched him for years. But it feels different having him tell me. I feel like I am floating, feeling happy, oh so very happy. I smile and even laugh, the sound so foreign to my ears.
    “You should laugh more, it suits you.” We have stopped walking and the look Nierra is giving me has my heart pounding. I have never been kissed and wonder if he is going to kiss me.  A roar of thunder shakes the ground and the skies open. I scream and Nierra grabs my hand pulling me with him, we are in the middle of the garden. I start laughing. I am drenched and so is he. It doesn’t matter and the rain is warm, so we stop running and start to laugh. Nierra’s face grows serious and then he is an inch from me, my own laughter dies and I lick my lips, closing my eyes. His hands gently touch my hair and slowly remove the clips, taking his time with each one. Its torture standing still as his eyes bore into mine. My wet hair tumbles down my back when all of it is free, and his hands cup my face. I have to blink to keep the rain out of my eyes.
    “You are so beautiful, Bellona.” I take in a sharp breath at the intensity of his eyes and then his lips touch mine and my world explodes. It is too much, too perfect, too kind. Tears mix with rain, filling in the gaps between our kisses.
    “Why do you cry?” He still holds my face, his forehead against mine.
    “I am crying in case this isn’t real.” My hand rests against his heart, feeling the heavy thumps. “In case you’re not real.” My eyes burn into his.
    “Can you feel how