Chapter 44: Muddy Water
Maya didn’t fall asleep again; rather, she just stared out the window, watching the sun rise. When it was time, she got out of bed and prepared herself for breakfast.
Her legs felt heavy as she made her way to the dining room, and more often than not, Maya reconsidered. Perhaps she could pretend to be ill, but that was likely to fuel Keenan’s anger, so she forced herself to walk through the doors of the dining room.
It was bright from the sunlight pouring in through the windows. The sky was bright with white fluffy clouds floating around. There was still no sign of rain, but Maya could feel that it wouldn’t remain rainless for too long.
She squinted her eyes slightly, wondering if she might be able to step out of the building. It would be nice to feel the rain on her skin. She would find some excuse to step out of her father’s mansion whenever it was raining.
The dining room was empty except for Winnie, who was seated with her back to the door, in the same place she always sat. She didn’t turn around when Maya walked in, and Maya expected no interaction.
The table was laid, but there was no sign of servants, and the dishes were empty. Maya walked to her seat and sat down. Hopefully, she would be able to get a few moments before chaos walked through the doors.
"How do you feel?"
Maya was too stunned to react, and for a moment she was almost certain her imagination was playing tricks on her. She slowly turned her head to look at Winnie, who was looking at her with concern.
Her mouth was agape as she stared at Winnie. "Why?" It slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself.
Winnie adjusted in her seat. "I don’t know. I was just concerned about yesterday." She shook her head. "Forget I said anything."
Maya twisted her hands in her lap. She didn’t think it was easy for Winnie to ask that, but that wasn’t the only reason she decided to answer.
"I am better, thank you," she said and turned her gaze away. She was thirsty; in her state, she would even take muddy water.
She wasn’t sure if Winnie was reaching out because she actually cared or perhaps she wanted to sleep easier at night. Maya truly didn’t care which. It didn’t matter the reason; it was nice.
"I am gl—" The rest of Winnie’s words died in her throat as the doors opened, and she turned away as if to put distance between them.
Maya wasn’t even angry. It was nice to be seen, even if Winnie wanted to pretend otherwise. After all, this was the most sympathy she had ever gotten.
The servants were speaking as they walked in. When they saw the dining room wasn’t empty, they sealed their lips and bowed their heads to Winnie, who barely acknowledged them.
They emptied the trays onto the table, and the doors opened once again. Maya didn’t have to turn around to know who was walking in. The loud sound of her laughter reached her ears.
Winnie reacted the same way as her, stiffening. If it wasn’t sad, Maya would have found it funny. Alaina didn’t walk in alone; as always, Theo was in her arms.
Maya was almost certain they were romantically linked, but she wondered if they were more—fated mates perhaps? She glanced at Winnie, who seemed to have a hard time looking at them.
Maya wasn’t sure why, but she was almost certain Winnie had some kind of crush on Theo, and Alaina was not oblivious to it. She recalled the conversation when Winnie used rouge on her lips and cheeks. Alaina had not been pleased. Maya didn’t know the slightest thing about romance but her gut was telling her that her suspicions were correct.
"Look who is here." Her gnarly voice echoed in the dining hall. "I thought you would have died in your sleep, since you’re so desperate for attention."
Theo adjusted in his seat, and Winnie visibly flinched. However, she was unaffected. Maya didn’t know what had changed—was it the weather, her dream, or perhaps Winnie’s secret care? For some reason, Alaina’s words didn’t have their usual sting.
Her back was straight even as her head was low. She doubted Alaina would attack her in front of an audience, so it was easy to keep the fear at bay.
"Did you sleep well, Winnie?" Alaina was quick to change the topic when she saw she wasn’t getting the response she wanted.
"Yes, I did. Did you?" Winnie softly replied, her gaze lingering on Theo.
"Are you sure?" Alaina asked immediately without answering. Her expression held concern as she stretched out her hand to lightly caress Winnie’s face. "Are those dark circles around your eyes?"
"Dark circles?" Winnie asked, and her eyes widened slightly. She touched under her eyes.
Maya had looked at her face earlier, she knew Winnie didn’t have dark circles. Perhaps because Alaina had always been mean to her, it was harder for Maya to see her actions as anything other than that, even when she might be trying to help.
"It’s not that obvious," Theo chimed in.
Winnie looked slightly relieved, but Alaina leaned toward him immediately, grabbing his arm tighter than she needed to.
"Theo is a man; of course, he wouldn’t notice such things. If you’re not sleeping properly, Winnie, try to get better sleep. I am just concerned as your sister."
Winnie nodded slightly. "What about you, Theo? Did you sleep we—"
"Yes, we did. I literally had to drag him out of bed this morning."
They are sharing the same room!
Maya thought her head was going to explode. She was certain they weren’t married yet, yet they shared the same room. Well, if they were fated mates, there was no reason for a ceremony, as the Moon Goddess had already assigned them to be together.
If Alaina already had her mate, what then did she want with Keenan? Especially right in front of her mate, with whom she lived in the same room.
Maya felt her face grow warm. She tried not to think about it, but she couldn’t help it. If things were normal, would they share the same room?
"What are you looking at?" Alaina’s angry voice cut through her thoughts.
