Chapter 8: The Things left Unsaid

☆☆LILA☆☆

I followed Theo through a narrow walkway as we left the main building. I wasn't really sure where we were going but Theo said we were going to meet a sage, it didn't take long for us to reach the backyard. A garden spread out around a small building, it was filled with wildflowers in colors so vivid they looked painted. Their scent filled the air, sweet.

When Theo pushed open the small wooden door, I expected another plain chamber. But the moment I stepped in, it was like walking into another place entirely.

The scent of flowers struck me first,it was stronger here than outside, as though the garden itself was inside the room. Candles glowed softly along the walls. Every shelf sagged with scrolls bound in leather. My eyes couldn’t stop wandering over the shelves and carved wooden talismans. Strange symbols were etched into the walls and the faint glow of candles which made the room feel more alive.

I froze in the doorway, my breath catching in my throat.

I was so engrossed in the room that I almost didn't notice a woman sitting at the corner of the room.

Her hair was silver, falling down her shoulders. Her black eyes locked on me the moment I entered. She sat with a stillness that unsettled me, like she had been waiting for this exact moment.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” the sage said suddenly.

Her voice startled me. Calm, aged, but not fragile. Her gaze followed mine, watching me take in the room like a child in a museum.

“Yes,” I admitted softly. “It feels… different. Ancient even.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “Nowadays, everyone rushes to be civilized. They forget the beauty of what came before. Children of this age rarely understand.”

I lowered my eyes, unsure what to say. But she didn’t linger on my silence.

“You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman"

I frowned. “Do I… know you?”

But she was silent for a minute, before answering, "Not as well as I know you. I have been waiting for this moment since you were sixteen.”

My stomach tightened. “Sixteen? I will remember that.”

Right?

“Would you?” she asked, tilting her head. Her gaze drifted to my sleeve, to the place where the mark hid beneath fabric.

“Does the scar still hurt?” she asked.

I instinctively touched the mark hidden beneath my sleeve. “Sometimes,” My pulse quickened. How does she know?

I whispered, hesitating before blurting, “But… how do you know about it? Have we met before?"

Her expression didn’t change, she made no effort to answer me. I wrapped my arms around myself and looked away, suddenly feeling too small in the presence.

I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the shiver crawling down my spine. “Well… everyone here seems so close,” I said, forcing a lighter tone. “All of you staying together in one big house feels… different, too.”

The sage chuckled, low and dry. “That is their way of preserving culture. But don’t be fooled, child. Many slip away to their homes when they think I'm not watching. The gathering is more for show, to please me perhaps, or to remind themselves of the tradition.”

“Oh.” I blinked, glancing around again.I lowered my eyes, unsure what to say. But she didn’t linger on my silence. Then she leaned forward, her hand resting on the armrest of her carved chair. “You should come around more often, child. Do not be a stranger.”

I shifted uneasily. “You… want me to visit?”

Most people out there didn't seem to be happy with my presence except for Raya.

“Anytime you wish.” Her tone was simple, final.

I nodded slowly. “Okay.”

I rose, brushing my palms against my dress while standing up to leave

Her gaze shifted past me to Theo, who had been silent the whole time. “Stay a while, Theodore. I wish to speak with you.”

For a moment I froze, confused. Then I forced a smile on my face, even though my stomach twisted. “I’ll wait outside,” I murmured.

He gave a faint nod, his eyes followed me until I slipped through the door.

The air outside was fresher, cooler, but my thoughts weren’t, it seemed like she knew me before like we've met. But if we had-

“Lila?”

I turned and the moment my eyes landed on the person I did not expect to see at all. “Kai!”

I rushed forward before I could stop myself, throwing my arms around him. He staggered back with a laugh, hugging me tightly.

“It’s been forever,” he grinned when we pulled apart. He looked taller than I remembered, lean and sharp in his movements. His features had matured, the little kid I knew was nowhere to be found.

" I missed you " I said ruffling his hair

"I know it has been so long,"he said, smiling.

Being Theo’s cousin we had spent so much time together before he left the country with his father after his mothers death.

“it has been, but not long enough,” Raya’s voice cut in as she appeared behind him, smacking the back of his head.

“Ow!” Kai winced dramatically. “You’re still mean.”

Raya rolled her eyes, but there was affection there too.

She pulled his cheeks, teasingly “what will you do about it huh?"

For a moment, everything felt better, maybe it wasn't that bad.

Kai looked over my shoulders greeting Theo with a nod as he moved to meet us.

Kai glanced between Theo and me, his smiling mischievously.

“So… ..you and Theo, huh?”

I froze, heat flooding my cheeks. “What?”

Why did everyone keep insinuating that?

“Kai!” Raya pinched his arm so hard he yelped. “Shut your mouth!”

“I was just asking!” he laughed, rubbing his arm.

But I wasn’t laughing, Kai noticed he looked at Theo.

"Wait...you didn’t tell her? I thought you told her everything."

Before he could say anything else

"Excuse us" Raya cut in dragging Kai along with her.

I turned to Theo. He hadn’t moved, but his jaw was clenched.

“What were they all talking about?” I whispered, the words sticking in my throat.

"Lila-"

"You said you wouldn't lie to me or keep anything from me Theo "

"I'm not, I just don't know how to tell you"

"Say it the way it is"

Theo finally met my eyes, his voice low. “I think you need to sit down for this, Lila.”