Perhaps it was out of cowardness that she didn't want to face the world, or perhaps it was because she'd soon realize she'd have to face the people she'd potentially had hurt. Perhaps she simply didn't want to see the pity in everyone's eyes when they found out what had happened.

Ronan, for the second time, left when she'd fallen asleep, and she assumed he was the one that scent the food to her room. Everything tasted bland in her mouth, though she was sure that on any other day it would have tasted amazing. Today was different. With every step she took and every movement she made, she couldn't escape the memory of the forest burning and the smell of ash. That was enough for all her senses to go numb.

Sometimes Nilsa would sleep just to free herself of the conscious memory, but they haunted her dreams too. The next day was better, not by much but enough to make her get out of bed and leave her room.

Usually Nilsa would stop and talk to the castle workers, if only for something to do, but today she walked straight past all of them, letting their concerned stares follow her down the hall. She didn't have a specific destination in which she desired to escape to, but she walked and walked until she found herself in the castle gardens.

Nilsa smiled at all the stunning flowers that had reached their full bloom that spring, and were still beautiful that late summer. Just looking at them eased some of the pain that still clenched inside of her.

"Nilsa."

Nilsa turned around, meeting the shocked face of Giselle and Arran behind her. Giselle reached out, gripping Nilsa's arms in a similar fashion to how she'd done the night of the attack. "Are you alright? Ronan told me what happened."

She wasn't able to respond and could only stand there and try to summon the right words.

Giselle shook her head. "Don't answer that. That was a foolish question." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Nilsa, and I can't imagine how much this hurts you. Arran and I were going to get some lunch but if you need any company-"

"No," she blurted. Once she saw how taken back both of them looked she corrected herself. "I mean you guys can go. I'll be fine."

"Nilsa, we can always plan it for another time. We both know you're not fine."

"No," Nilsa agreed, "I'm not. But I need time to process it."

Giselle looked at Arran behind her, contemplating if what Nilsa was saying as true. "Are you sure."

"Yes. Go have fun."

Giselle pulled Nilsa into a tight hug. "If you need me just tell somebody, and I'll be there in a heartbeat." Then the two of them walked out of the garden.

Nilsa made a few more laps around the gardens before the sun started to bare down at her head that was already pounding from a night of crying. She was turning a corner into palace when a body collided with hers.

The abrupt collision caused her to gasp and she met eyes with a stunning small beauty. The stranger was a few inches shorter than Nilsa but looked to be around two years older. She was thin but in a healthy way, her small figure framed by long inky hair. Her eyes were the shapes of almonds and had a color like chocolate.

The stranger blushed. "I'm sorry! I wasn't looking!"

Nilsa smiled and shook her head. "No. It's my fault."

"All settled then?"

Nilsa nodded. "Agreed." She tilted her head. "I don't think I've seen you around here before?"

"You haven't." She pointed a thumb past her shoulder and into the entrance of the palace. "My father's in there. He's a famous traveler. Always wanted to visit the grand city of the gods, and when he got the chance he wanted to take me with him."

Even Nilsa could agree that the palace was quite a destination. "Where are you from if not the city?"

"Off this continent. Would have traveled here earlier if it wasn't such a tedious journey."

"Well then I hope you enjoy your stay."

The female grinned, her eyes raking over the palace. "I have no doubt I won't." Her eyes returned to Nilsa where she then blushed.
"How rude of me. I haven't introduced myself." She curtsied. "My name is Corvina Bluewood."

Nails bowed her head. "I am Nilsa Maistell."

Corvina smiled. "Nilsa Maistell," she repeated. "What are you at the palace for?"

Based on past events, it didn't surprise Nilsa that she hesitated before speaking, but decided she could answer when Citali stayed silent.
"I'm a prophet. Rieka is training me."

"Ah. You must be important for the goddess of knowledge to show such interest."

"Something like that."

A male voice called her name from inside the palace, causing Corvina to cringe. "It seems that I have to take my leave." She paused before re-entering the palace. "Hopefully I'll see you again Nilsa Maistell." She left.

"Nilsa," A voice called from behind her.

The gardens are busier than I thought. Nilsa turned around, meeting the view of Ronan jogging after her, looking more disheveled than usual. His hands reached out to her elbows when he got close. "Are you alright? They didn't tell me you'd left your room. I was worried for a minute."

She nodded. "I'm fine." As fine as she could be.

The look on his face told her that he knew otherwise, but he wasn't going to comment on it. "I'm here for you. Whatever you need. Just tell me."

"I know." Her and Ronan had gotten closer than she could have ever imagined, and unexplainable, she was okay with it. Other than Marge she never wanted to gain a relationship with many people, mostly because she was constantly moving.

"I mean it."

She smiled and squeezed his arm. "I know," was all she said before moving into the castle and leaving him in the garden.
***
Nilsa arrived at Rieka's study half an hour later as they'd planned several days before.

Rieka was rummaging through multiple old books on a table, one golden eye glancing up at Nilsa when she stepped through the doors. A single blink was the only sign of surprise the goddess allowed herself to show before returning her gaze to the work before her. "I didn't think that you'd come today."

Nilsa leaned against a table. "Why is that?"

"Because someone who just went what you went through should be coping instead of working."

Nilsa clenched her jaw. She'd thought of taking that route when she'd woke that morning, the one where she could weep and drown in
her own depressing thoughts. That way was easier, but it didn't seem like it was the right one. "Crying won't help anything."

"Even immortals take a break after tragedy."

"Taking a break is a waste of time, and if current events say anything, that is not something I'd like to give away."

Rieka sighed. "You don't want me to pity you." It could have been a question or a simple statement, but Nilsa knew what she meant either way.

"No," Nilsa replied.

"Than I won't give it to you." Rieka slid a stack of books across the table to here. "Start reading then."

Nilsa opened the first book on the stack, being glad that at least she had one place, even though it wouldn't have been her first choice, where everything seemed normal.