Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,394

I was expected to play. I might have bragged to all my school friends about marrying a Governor, but it was the most alone I felt in my entire life.

"...And yet I was engaged to a stranger. A rich and powerful stranger. Someone that would have happily taken care of me. But still, a stranger."

Tallis flexed his fists and an animalistic growl vibrated in his chest.

"Agapimenos," he began, "I'm glad you did not marry him."

Chapter Eleven

Over the next few days, I found my mood to be considerably sour, despite the pleasant weather. The sun felt less intense as we moved deeper into harvest season, but it was still hot. Each swipe of my scythe felt like needles pricking my patience. My eyes were opened in Saberus, and now everything else felt pointless.

Anyone with half a brain could sense that the Gardens were a complete waste of my potential and talents. What use were years of elite tutorage and training if I had to spend it here? We spent our days performing mindless tasks that not only ruined my nails but also made my muscles burn.

Still angry about Pioneer Day, the Walker women spent their days ostracizing me. They casually kicked over my water bucket, I’d find dirt in my lunch, and whenever I walked near, they went silent and sneered at me.

Today, I walked with Tallis towards camp in silence. My muscles hurt from the long day and all this work, plus the angry attitudes from the Walkers was wearing me thin. Spending my days at the Gardens and nights with the Scavengers wasn’t sustainable. Something had to change.

I felt restricted by my punishment in the Gardens. I wanted something better but lacked the time, supplies, and energy.

I rubbed my shoulder and winced, causing Tallis to look over at me. The sun was setting, and I noticed lightning bugs dancing in the distance. “You need to rest, Agapimenos,” he observed with a frown. I could feel his piercing eyes sweep over my appearance with scrutiny. My hair was a frizzy mess, my eyes had black circles under them, and I wore one of my loose-fitting dresses intended for lounging.

“No, I think I need a massage,” I said suggestively in a sleepy tone. Things were still intense between Tallis and I. When we were alone, I liked to push his buttons, see if I could get him to plunge into all the things I shouldn’t want. But when we were in public, he would do the same to me. Lingering touches and stormy eyes that stripped me bare followed me everywhere. We just couldn’t get on the same page.

“Maybe I should quit,” I began with a heavy sigh, my footsteps dragging along the path towards camp. “Tallis, I can’t stop seeing Saberus. My life here now seems so mundane. So pointless.” My voice sounded whiney even to my own ears. What was the point of teaching if my brothers still wanted me in the Gardens? The Scavengers would move to the Schoolhouse, anyway. My efforts felt wasted.

“When you get tired, it’s time to rest, not quit,” Tallis replied while pushing aside a rogue branch and guiding me to camp. "What else is bothering you?" I shuffled behind him while rubbing my eyes, smearing the black charcoal I lined my lids with all over my face.

"The Walker women are still mad at me," I grumbled.

"Why?"

"I took back something that belonged to me," I replied cryptically with a shrug. I felt too embarrassed to explain my little outburst. Tallis was one of the few people on my side, and for some reason, I worried what he would think.

"I feel like you're my only friend these days, Scavenger. Isn't that sad?"

Tallis' eyes flashed with hurt before he masked his expression.

"Sad?"

"I never thought I'd befriend a Scavenger," I replied. Tallis let a small smile break free.

"I always hoped I'd befriend someone just like you," Tallis said in a low tone.

"And who, exactly, is someone like me?" I craved to see myself through his eyes. He stopped for a moment and grabbed my hands.

"Someone stubborn. Smart. Challenging. Compassionate."

I tried to find fault in his words. I waited for the inevitable insult, but there was none. Tallis stared at me, and I felt nothing but the genuine truth of his statement. His shining eyes and handsome face lacked malice, and there was no sign of hate shining in his bright eyes. I realized that against all odds, he didn’t think I was a spoiled waste of space.

“Maybe