Chapter 33: Just a Taste

DANICA

Hugo’s departure left me in a state of overthinking and unease. I found myself pacing the house, his words echoing in my mind. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

I noticed Celeste, engrossed in her old papers, her demeanor more serious than usual. I decided to join her in the study.

“What are you up to?” I asked.

She barely glanced at me. “Just…searching for something we might have overlooked.”

“We?” I questioned.

“Yes, we. Working solo hasn’t yielded any results. It’s time we joined forces. Your status as the celestial ruler could be beneficial to the mythical world. Plus, it’s not safe for me to wander the forest alone. I could stumble upon a hunter,” she paused, taking a deep breath. “I may be tough on you, but know this, Danica, you mean a lot to me.”

I didn’t respond. I knew she didn’t despise me, but I never felt cherished either. I took a seat across from her.

“What did my mother and you discuss in this room?” I asked, causing her to frown.

“Your mother was an exceptional woman. She made sacrifices for her children that few parents would dare to. She left you to ensure your safety. She broke her own promise to keep her children safe. She knew what it felt like to be deceived by her own parents. She had only known me for a few months when she asked me to take you in.

“And Death… I knew some things about him too. I didn’t hesitate to take you in. Every time Meredith visited, she asked about you. What new things you had learned, how you were doing. I kept her updated on your progress. And I know she would have done more if she could. Never doubt that,” she said, her sincerity shining through.

“But was there no other way?” I asked, not out of disbelief, but out of a desire to understand.

Celeste approached me, taking my hands in hers. “Protecting someone often requires sacrifices,” she said, her frown replaced by a smile. “Have you ever thought about visiting your sister? I’m sure she’d love to meet you.”

I shook my head. “She doesn’t know about me. If I’m dying, it’s better she remains ignorant. I heard she’s doing well. I don’t want to disrupt that,” I explained.

Celeste nodded in understanding and returned to her search through the books and notebooks, but found nothing new.

As evening approached, I couldn’t help but wonder what torment awaited me. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my hands resting on my stomach. The ceiling was ordinary and mundane, a stark contrast to my life.

The sound of my bedroom door opening drew my attention. Hugo walked in, and my chest tightened. He was the source of my heartache. Even though my heart no longer beat, it still ached.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his gaze searching mine.

“As good as I can be,” I replied.

He moved closer, sitting on the edge of my bed. “I’m going to Creed’s,” he announced.

I sat up immediately. “Not without me,” I insisted, standing up.

“Danica…” He looked down, and I knew his news wasn’t good. “What Astra said…,” he began hesitantly. I remembered her words clearly. I had about two days left, and I was weak. “Don’t believe that. You’re stronger than she thinks. She doesn’t know you. She’s seen a lot and had her hopes crushed, which is why she struggles to believe. But she doesn’t know you or believe in you like I do. You’re not destined to end like the others.”

I admired his faith in me, but I wasn’t naive. “Yeah…okay,” I mumbled, looking down.

I started to leave, but Hugo stopped me before I could reach the door handle. I avoided his intense gaze.

“I mean it. I believe you’re capable of more than you think,” he said.

“I’ll give it my best shot, Hugo. I promise,” I said, inching closer to him. “But remember, I’m only human. I have my limits, and your faith in me, as much as it means to me, can’t change that.”

He reached out and took my hand, and I squeezed his in return. “I can’t help but feel that you might…” His voice trailed off, unable to utter the word ‘die’. Death was a concept that terrified him, while I was coming to terms with it, even welcoming it. It felt like an impending event, something that was waiting for me.

“It’s okay, Hugo. I’m not looking for a miracle. I know that no one can save me. And if I die, it’s okay.” I reassured him. “You’ve done more for me than I could ever ask for, and I’m grateful for that. If the worst happens, I know you’ll be okay without me. You don’t need me to survive, Hugo.” I chuckled lightly. “Maybe you’ll grieve a little, but you’ll move on.”

He shook his head, as if I’d just said something outrageous. “Don’t you get it? If you break, I break. If you leave, I’ll be left with nothing,” he said, a single tear escaping from his eye. It slid down his cheek, a poignant symbol of his sadness.

“Is this a guardian angel thing?” I asked, trying to understand.

He cupped my cheek, leaning in closer. “No, it’s not a guardian angel thing…” His lips trembled, barely an inch away from mine. I struggled to keep my breath steady. “It’s about needing someone to keep you sane, someone you didn’t realize you needed until they were there. It’s about love, need, and the desire to belong to someone else.”

Hugo was so close that he was all I could think about. He was the only one who could make me feel this way. Even though my heart was failing, I could still feel him, stirring up emotions I didn’t know I still had.

I stopped him when he was just a few inches away, but he didn’t pull back. “Hugo…we can’t,” I said, hating the words as they left my mouth. “What about the law?” I asked.

“I don’t care about the law anymore…” His voice was low and husky, but firm.

“Hugo, they’ll punish you,” I warned him, despite the deep desire coursing through me.

“They don’t need to know,” he said, holding himself back.

His nose brushed my cheek, his lips hovering over mine.

“Just a taste, that’s all I need. The more I’m around you, the more I lose my mind. Every second of my life is consumed by thoughts of you. I don’t know how to function without you,” he confessed, his voice breathless.

A heavy feeling settled in my chest, aching to be released.

“One kiss. That’s all I ask,” he pleaded, his eyes closed.