9. Chapter 9

9

Chapter 9

D ahlia was struggling. She had a lot of feelings that she wasn't sure what to do with. She had been so incredibly worried about Ilex during the four days they'd slept, and now that they were awake, she found herself looking for excuses to stay a bit longer with them.

She knew they didn't talk much, but the way they looked at her with such awe and quiet joy made her feel…wanted. Safe.

Everyone else in Dahlia's life had always told her she talked too much, she was annoying, her personality was unbecoming of a necromancer of the court. Her talent with plants is what had kept her in favor despite her supposed flaws.

She had never really thought they were flaws, though. In her heart, she knew that her bright spirit was something to be proud of—something that made her, her .

Dahlia had always quietly loved herself. It was the people around her that didn't appreciate what she brought to the world.

Ilex didn't seem to mind all of the things that other people had disliked about her. In fact, they seemed to enjoy her company. When they weren't unconscious, of course.

She knew it wasn't wise, but she wondered what could happen if she stayed a little longer. She was supposed to be representing Daosbor at the celebration in Ichorna—something she never would have missed even a week ago. But now, confronted with the experiences she was having, she found her heart telling her this was where she was supposed to be.