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Dimitri

L ife is abundant. It seems that is the natural order of things as I take in the foreign land around me with a fresh perspective. The people here are happy and carefree. They’re ignorant of the world that lies across the sea and the creatures that would only do them harm. Had Anna and I made it past that village, we would have been here as well, eventually able to live in ignorant bliss. These people have no idea there’s a woman who lives among them who could unravel the very fabric of their lives, living hers as if she’s always been a part of this one. I almost feel pity for them.

Almost.

As I move through the crowd, I note that these people are oblivious to my presence. They have no idea what I truly am. They see me as their own, their weakened senses oblivious to the threat. My gut churns in discomfort as the familiar scent that once gave me butterflies drifts over my nose. When we were younger, I adored that scent. I only ever wanted to protect it and make it mine. But I feel nothing for it any longer. I feel nothing for her. Not even remorse for hunting her down to this extent to take her from this world she doesn’t belong in and deliver her back to the king. I shift my attention toward her scent just as the crowd slightly parts to reveal her to me.

Annalise.

My chest squeezes as I take her in. She’s wearing a beaming smile on her face that reaches her amber gaze. The sun shines directly on her features, making them illuminate like the sunrise as she hands over the produce to a customer. Her dark hair is pulled into a long braid that falls past her waist with small details of flowers in it. She’s really made a new life here, acting as if she didn’t leave us all behind to suffer the wrath of Cyrus. But even as my anger flares, I can’t help but acknowledge how beautiful she is. I never would have guessed she was running from something if I didn’t know who she was. The trinket Paul gave her rests around her neck, emphasizing the elegance she exudes. I chuckle to myself.

She’s careful, even if she believes he's dead.

It’s been difficult tracking her down. Not only does she keep a low profile, but she also makes no friends and moves around frequently. Now that I’ve pinned her, I’ll be able to track her movement patterns long enough to report them back to the king to make the final decision. The king was very specific in his instructions. I am to watch Annalise and keep a record of anything suspicious. I am also to kill any man she may have involved herself with in front of her. And when I bring her back, I am to do so without making a scene. We don’t want to alert any potential enemies of our presence in this foreign land. The beasts on that side of the world know very little about this one, and Cyrus wants to keep it that way.

I linger around the marketplace until nightfall. If things go smoothly, I will take Annalise when she is walking on the road home. I study her as she takes down her stand, gathering her remaining produce. But she doesn’t immediately leave. She walks through the marketplace, sure of her destination. Confusion washes over me as she stops at a stand that carries toys. She smiles, giggling with the shopkeeper as she points to a few different toys that only a baby would find of interest. She eventually settles on a rattle, thanking the shopkeeper before making her way out of town.

Instead of my plan to snatch her off the road, I remain hidden, following her through the night. I ensure I remain far enough away that she doesn’t pick up on my presence, all the while my innermost fears bubble to the surface. The king was convinced that Annalise would have gotten rid of his child. Not only did she leave knowing about her condition, but in my search for her, I uncovered that she had bought very specific herbs at the port. But if her actions at the marketplace are any indicator, could she have kept the king’s child?

As the sun sets, she finally reaches her destination, heading to a shed to put away the produce. I focus on the small cottage with light coming from the windows. Someone is already there. As Annalise makes more noise, the door to the shabby cottage opens to reveal an older woman. My stomach drops as I take in the cooing child in her arms. The child reaches for Anna, making noises that pull her attention. My eyes widen when I notice the hue of the child’s hair. It’s white, just like the king’s.

Annalise’s expression shifts as she takes the baby from the woman, kissing its cheeks and head. Her face lights up even more as she holds it in an embrace. The child can’t be more than a few months old. I stumble back, trying to contain my emotions as my head suddenly throbs in pain. The situation has changed horribly and for the worse. Annalise has not only defied the king but also committed treason by taking the heir to the throne and hiding here in a foreign land. I don’t know her reason for keeping it, nor do I want to know. But the king will want to retrieve Annalise himself once he hears this news.

Pity for her future settles over me as I watch her smile with the child as they return inside. The king will not let this slide easily.