Chapter 4
RUBIN“Don’t yeh mention this stupid selection ever ‘gain, George. I am warning yeh!”I paused, trying to strain my ear, not believing my ears of what I am hearing. Of those seventeen years I have spent living with them, I have never heard Aunt Lilia argue with my Uncle George like this–very unlikely for her to lash out so early considering that she was a morning person. “I am warning yeh, George, not a word of this to her!”“Lilia, dear, you don’t understand–”“What point do I need ter understand? Rubin stays ‘ere as long as she likes. I don’t care what yer mother says, or yer blasted brother–end of discussion.”Her paddling feet made me retreat back upstairs to my room but she saw me, a wrinkle in between her furrowed brows. “Rubin! Have yeh been eavesdropping?” Her solid blue eyes were freezing me on the spot that I have to avert my eyes and shake my head ‘no’. Aunt Lilia appeared in her fluttery pink apron that hug her rather plump body I’ve grown to love ever since I was four, her golden hair that are greying on the tips is the only indication that she has aged. She viciously stared at me daring for me to speak. Aunt Lilia have cared for me like a mother would, occasionally giving me an earful because of my childish ways, yet I love her, deeply. She huffed before she yank me down the kitchen, her hand on my arm, “C’mon, yer breakfast is gettin’ cold.”I didn’t have time to argue as Aunt Lilia headed inside the kitchen and sat me down on the chair, throwing daggers at my uncle who is sitting across me. Uncle George’s blue eyes glistened with mirth, as he watch me from across the table. He looks so much like my father and Uncle Cedric when they were young. It’s a pity that my father has died, I would love to see the set of three faces looking alike, with the exception of my father’s green eyes. Uncle Cedric brush his blond shoulder length hair and tied it back with a twine, still giving me a smirk.Aunt Lilia stir the oats on the pot and poured me a bowl before serving another one for my uncle. I close my eyes and thank Persephone for the food before pouring honey over the oats.“Want some?”I stared at Uncle George as he held out the dried berries and nodded, making him smile as he scoop some for me. He sprinkled the dried berries over my oats and I ate, giving him a wider smile. Aunt Lilia settled next to me, snatching the berries from my Uncle, still glaring at him. I sigh.“Uncle, I would like to try for the selection.”Aunt Lilia’s spoon drop with a splat on top of her oats. She looks at me before glaring at my uncle. “This is yer fault! She overheard yeh. ”“My fault? It was you who is screaming at the top of your lungs–trying to wake the whole castle, so how is it my fault?” Uncle George’s face turn scarlet as he directed the glare back to my Aunt who is shaking.“Aunt Lilia, Uncle George,” they stop glowering at each other, directing their eyes at me. “This is the only way to stop the both of you from being worried. I’ve tested for Arts and Melodium class for my whole life, I haven’t tried for Sagittis. If I tried for the selections and I end up not being selected as Cupid, then both of you will be at peace.” I tried to smile but Aunt Lilia suddenly cried out as she took my hands.“But what if they choose yeh? After all, it’s in yer blood. Your dad is one.”“Then I go with it should I have to. This is the only thing I could do to honor my parents.” Aunt Lilia let go of my hand as she sat down, her eyes misty. She pulls out a fluffy blue handkerchief inside her coat and blew. I look at Uncle George who is turning his spoon round and round the bowl, distracting himself.I settled back to my seat, eating in silence like the both of them. I was about to shove the last of my oats in my mouth when Uncle George cleared his throat and said in a tearful voice, “Your father will be so proud if you will be selected.”“Do you think so?”“There’s no doubt Marcus would.” Uncle George looks up, eyes shining as he took my hand, “It doesn’t matter if your hair is ginger and your eyes are green for you are precious to our hearts, always remember that.” I nodded, feeling my lips quivering as I stand up. I was about to go out of the kitchen and get my things when Aunt Lilia stands from her seat, pulling me in her arms. She held me close to her chest, whispering, “No matter wha’ happens, we stand with yeh,” and she kisses my forehead before letting me go up to my room.I climb up the stairs, two at a time. With shaking hands, I open the door, grab my satchel and hang it on my shoulder. I sat down on the floor, trembling with nervousness and excitement. Taking a deep breath, I look around my room and was startled when my uncle George, knocked.“Nervous?”“I...yeah.” I sigh, standing up, settling on the bed. He sat beside me and said, “I know you are uncertain but that’s normal. Overconfidence can lead you to a sticky end if you are not careful.”“Right.”“Got everything you need inside?” Uncle George eyed my satchel and smiled. I nodded. “Yep.”He gave me another smile before he lean back on the bed, “I remember how much your father would gloat about having been selected as Cupid. Marcus got in alright, very proud of the achievement, he was. Cedric and I goaded him on about a bet to make–”“George! Yeh ‘re keeping her in. Though right thing ter do it is, I doubt she will be happy ter miss the selection. Barely ten minutes to go before they start, mind yeh!” Uncle George shakes his head before patting my back, “Go on, now. I doubt that the council will appreciate you being late even if you exceed expectations.”“But what’s the bet about?”“What bet?” Uncle George looks at me, sheepishly, trying to make me a fool.“The one you made with my father. You said–”“Oh? Well,” he stood up, taking my hands and pulling me up with him, “I have to go and see how things are going on with the fields. Off you go now…” He stirred me towards the door on which I reluctantly followed him down the stairs. Looking back at the clock, I was surprise that I have barely seven minutes left to make my way to the highest tower.Leaning on my tiptoes, I kiss my Uncle’s cheek and hug him tight, “Tell me later about all of it, promise?”“Why would I do that?”“Because I will be selected as Cupid,” And I smiled, leaving him awestruck.“YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU ARE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER!” His fleeting words made me laugh so hard that it gave me enough energy to run all the way up to the highest tower.Chapter 5 RUBIN“Heather, Dew,”“Here, miss.”“Hearthrowe, Isabelle,”“Here, miss.” I rolled my eyes as I hear my cousin’s voice that resembles a poisoned honey. Ugh.I let go of the door silently, cringing as it creeks, while I hasten, proceeding up the middle row. “Hearthrowe, Rubin,” Professor Bow look up from her list and saw me halfway through the room. She reckoned me to a seat next to my cousin Belle and repeat my name, “Hearthrowe, Rubin?” “He-Here,” I cleared my throat and huffed, “Here, miss.” Professor Bow gave me a kind smile, mentioning the students on her list and finishing it with Zeal, Rose. “Good morning my dear students!" I glance at Professor Bow as she flew up the platform, her bright yellow wings trailing behind her along with her long white robe, resembling a wedding trail. "Today, we are going to have the Sagittis : focusing on the art of making arrows. Everyone, please bring out your sets." My fellow students shuffled on their seats as they took their twigs
Chapter 6RUBIN“Get a move now, George!”“But Lilia, she is still sleeping. I do not–”“What? Tell me more of yer lame reasons, aye? We know we cannot delay. She have a hard time alrigh’, but she has to prepare. Like righ’ now!” I could hear a set of feet shuffling across the floor and I hastily turn my back against the door, biting my lip as I hear it open. "Rubin, I know yer awake. Yeh don't sleep with yer mouth closed." Oh, okay then. I opened my mouth, and continue to pretend to be asleep. "Francesca Rubin--""Okay, okay. I'm up, already! Don't get your knickers twisted up your bottoms, Aunt Lilia." Well, that earned me a pillow zooming on my direction and hitting me on the head. I collapsed on the bed dramatically, snickering. “A-a-ouch!” I put both of my hands on my forehead, pretending to be hurt. Aunt Lilia shakes her head at me before throwing another pillow. Uncle George sat down on my bed and gave me a smile, “I’ve heard what happen, I can’t believe you finish as first.
Chapter 7RUBIN"Rubin, I know. I'm sorry, if I say that but we love you so much and we don't want you to end up with the same fate as your father. And if I might add," Uncle Cedric sigh, his hands still on my face. "Well, we do not know... we have not confirm it but," Uncle George’s voice trembled as he continued "we–I mean, I–think that your mother is still alive." That made me stare at my uncle, examining his eyes of any trace of tricks or maliciousness but I saw nothing. With a watery smile, I captured the both of them in my arms and cried. After a few moments, Aunt Lilia told my Uncle to go off since she is going to prepare me for the ceremony. I had my bath, consisting of precious oils and scents from the tree blossoms, allurements essential for my mission. After I had finished my bath, I help myself on some plain white cotton dress, the sleeves shrug down on my shoulder like wings as she hang the nets on my back.Oh wings! I'm going to have my wings today.I wiggled my shoul
Chapter 8RUBINLet me get this straight, the entrance to earth is through a door. I can’t believe it was just behind a door! I carefully put my foot down on the platform and was shocked when the crowd of people come bustling out of the door with me. They carried me out, muttering about clothes and businesses and how I’m so slow. Once I am down on my feet, I look back and see the door quickly closing. The arrow on the sides began moving upwards and I was momentarily struck with curiousity as I look at it.What a fascinating door it was! I wonder how humans master this locomotive magic that they have– I might be able to learn it as I settle here on earth. Shaking my wings on my back, I smiled and turn around, observing the humans as they talk so differently. They almost sound like bees, buzzing.It wasn't really annoying , in general, I find them very entertaining!“I can’t believe this,” I bounded towards them, delighted of what I am seeing. I lingered next to the hustle and bustl
Chapter 9RUBINI drift through the crowd, smiling at them. Though, as time pass by, I grew tired of smiling and my lips turned into pouts. Why are these people ignoring me? Am I invisible now? But how? I haven’t tried to put some enchantments on me, yet. I started crossing the street and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Well, I am pretty much visible still, so why are they ignoring me?Maybe they just do not care.This is what Gaeans do all the time: they live to work in order to survive. Not like us, Erosians, who are free to roam and do whatever we like. I pity them sometimes. Still feeling down, I decided that I should probably start taking my job, seriously. It is better if I get to finish my job earlier so I can have more time to search for my mom. I wonder if she is still alive. Would I recognize her even without remembering her face? I have to find her even though I am not certain of her whereabouts. I know it will be hard since I have no idea how and where to start bu
Chapter 10RUBINI held on the lamp post as I struggled to stand. I regret looking behind me to see one of my wing fluttering hopelessly while the other hang on my back like an over size cape, limp and wet with pink liquid– Erosian blood. I look around to see the streets empty, the crowd gone because of the sudden rain.To my great luck, the rain poured harder upon me, soaking me through. I sigh and pulled my wings closer, hoping to provide warmth to my drenched body. I thought rain is pretty sight here on earth like how they tell it in the books, but now I know that it isn’t. Specially when you were kicked out or should I say, pushed down? I shivered as thunder rumbled in the distance, already regretting my decision of chasing after the guy. Oh, please don’t make it rain harder!I was so used to being safe and sound back in Eros watching over earth as it rained. I had longed to experience the feeling of raindrops on my skin but now, I do not know if I should be crying because I cou
Chapter 11RUBINI stared at her for a moment before looking back at the man near the doors. He is not going to chase me away if I ever did try to get in, right? He won’t even notice me for I will be discreet and I am best in doing that. I look outside the window–rain is still pouring and in here is much better; I feel safe and warm even if the staffs are not so welcoming.I decided to follow my instincts and move away from the desk. I sneakily to the stairs, occasionally glancing on my back before running up the steps. This felt like creeping outside the castle during curfew hours. I am very good at this, I am sure I can do better. I ran up the stairs–ever winding and stretched beyond, I am afraid that my legs will fall off. I reach the third floor when the corridor split into two–I started going for the left wing. 350.343.325"HOLY CUPID!" I slap my forehead, irritated of my own silliness. It seems that I am going on the wrong direction, bloody arrows. I quickly turn and ran t
Chapter 12RUBIN"What the fuck?" I stare back at him as he loom over me–he is so tall that I have to crane my neck to be able to stare at him. My wings appeared instantly, nervously fluttering on my back, my hands steadily growing sweaty as I swallowed. I was quite shock that I was still breathing for I am afraid of what he will do. A few seconds passed and I squared up my shoulders, taking the book from the floor while trying to gather up more courage as I began to speak, “He-hello there. It's me, Rubin, Rubin Hearthrowe. What about you? What is your name?" I cringed at how shaky my voice appeared and instead, tighten my hold at the book. He glared at my hand which is currently holding the book. I let go of it and cringed as the book thudded, its sound echoing followed by a lingering silence. I sighed having this urge to kick myself for letting go of the book once again. I should’ve put it inside of my satchel. “Look, I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk–""Wanted to talk? Wanted to ta