Page 4

I knew Avra’s and Laya’s children would grow strong, cherished by love and shielded by our care.
Avra and Laya had sacrificed so much for our family. Their marriages had bolstered the Vitalis name, a choice made willingly to honor our ancestors.
Now, it was my turn to contribute in kind.
And yet, as they embraced partners, the idea of sharing such intimacy with a man filled me with disbelief.
Love, for someone like me, felt as unreachable as a fallen star, especially after the ghosts of abduction, rescue, and the shattering of my heart.
Avra stood up, her dark hair cascading over her slender shoulders.
“Hi, Cali,” she said, pulling me into a warm embrace.
I responded, sitting next to her. “How’s the baby bump coming along?”
Avra beamed as she stroked her belly. “Perfect.”
“I can hardly believe you’ll have a baby in just four months, and you don’t even look pregnant.”
“Laya says I will start expanding like a balloon any day now.”
Laya raised an eyebrow. “That’s true. You remember how I was.”
“I’m prepared,” Avra replied, lifting her shoulders.
“You say that now.” Laya shook her head. “Wait until you’re going to the bathroom every five minutes.”
Avra promised, “It’ll be worth it.”
“Yeah, it is.” Laya gazed lovingly at her son.
“Where have my warrior sisters gone? Now you both melt like soft butter.” I sighed.
Avra’s expression grew hard. “Hurt a single hair on our children’s heads and our warrior spirit ignites.”
I waved off the caution. “Calm down, there’s no imminent threat.”
“Then let us focus,” Avra proposed, her voice shifting to business.
My heart sank at the reminder of the task ahead—a responsibility that was never easy to bear, yet one I could not shirk. “Fine, let me see them.”
Avra retrieved a file folder from a satchel beside her and handed it to me. “Here are ten candidates. They are vetted. It’ll be easier to choose once we narrow the pool down to two men.”
“I insist on meeting them and deciding myself.”
“Of course,” Laya said. “If you choose none, we will continue our search.”
Each candidate’s photograph was paired with a background report. A few of them I vaguely recognized.
“I can cross out some already,” I murmured, shaking my head and punctuating my words.
I separated three profiles based solely on appearance. It may seem shallow, but I wanted a husband I found attractive.
I needed a man who could reignite a spark in me, especially if I intended to take things at a measured pace.
“Appearance wasn’t something I screened for,” Avra informed me. “I thought I’d let you handle that. I’m not sure what your type is.”
“I’m not sure either; however, I know these aren’t it. They do nothing for me.” I exhaled as if releasing an old disappointment. “Perhaps what once appealed to me no longer draws my interest.”