Chapter 28
Avidya
The orange and yellowish brown leaves fell from the trees like snow as the wind blew through the treetops. My blond hair that wasn’t pulled back in a updo with a blue sapphire clip blew across my face as I stood, staring at the grave before me.
Despite the warm autumn air, my cold hands were stuffed into the light gray knitted jacket that fell to my thighs. Zachariah stood just a few feet behind me, letting me have a moment alone at the grave that had yet to have grass planted over the top.
I refused to cry. There was nothing I could say, nothing I could do, to change how things are now. I couldn’t look away from the words that were etched to the simple headstone.
Becca Rights
Beloved daughter
1989-2007
There was nothing about who she was as a person. Had anyone that actually knew her say anything to remember her by? Did they even have a grand service for her?
Becca was not just a normal person. She was full of life and wanted to fulfill her desire to do more than what her parents wanted out of her. She planned to explore the world till she found a town that she could call her home. A home that would as far away from her overbearing parents as she could possibly get.
I’d have gone with her, too, if I had the chance to do so.
Now, though, I was here and about to marry a man I hardly knew. A man I could see myself falling in love with.
My heart thumped in time to the pain that she no longer had to suffer through. I knew without question that her parents didn’t know her. All they had was two simple words on the piece of stone. Becca would have wanted something more wrote there to show the world that she was more than a simple girl who wanted a simple life.
A strong gust of wind blew past, causing my hair once more to whip me across the face as I stood there in self-misery.
I’d never see my best friend again.
I could still hear her silent scream of pain as someone pushed the sharp knife deep into her back, right into her beating heart. I could feel the warm blood ooze from the wound before I was roughly knocked out.
Would I have to relive that memory for the rest of my life now?
With a heavy heart, I turned away before any tears fell from my eyes. If I had known she would lose her life all because of me, I would have done things differently.
The question of if I was the target, or was Becca the main target, popped into my head. Maybe I was merely just a pawn when Becca was the one that should have been where I am today. Maybe she was going to be the girl that had to pay off a debt. Had Becca possibly gotten into trouble and didn’t tell me?
“Ready?” Zachariah asked, waiting patiently for me. I knew he had things to do, but he offered to bring me here himself.
Becca’s parents were clear about not wanting me anywhere near them, thinking I was the cause of their daughter’s death. They didn’t even want me to come here to visit her grave.
“Yeah,” I answered, letting him bring me against his chest. I wasn’t going to let this one thing bother me, as it could have been much worse. Not sure how, but it certainly could be. At least everyone had closure instead of wondering where Becca possibly could have ended up.
“Did you want to say anything to her?” Jonas asked as he stood, leaning against the nearest tree, arms crossed over his chest.
Zachariah was adamant about having a bodyguard wherever I went, fearing for my safety. I hadn’t complained but wasn’t happy it was Jonas who had to tag along. Yes, it was better than a few other men that my husband-to-be employed, but I wasn’t too pleased about Jonas either.
Jonas had briefly explained on the way here to the cemetery that there was a number of threats out there, waiting to take me out already. It would die down once I married Zachariah but even then, Jonas would still tag along for extra protection when I would want to go out.
I didn’t see myself wanting to venture out if I didn’t need to, though. I wasn’t the adventurous type as it was.
“There’s nothing to say,” I deadpanned. It wasn’t like she could hear me, so there was no point.
“Alright,” Jonas said backing off.
“Shall we go meet up with my mother, then?” Zachariah asked out before kissing the top of my head lightly.
“Do I have to?” I nearly whined out. I didn’t want to go dress shopping even though I didn’t have much of anything else to do either.
“Yes,” he laughed as he pulled back to meet my eyes. “It can’t possibly be that bad.”
“When I’ve never actually gone clothes shopping before for myself, yes. It can be horrible,” I grumbled out.
“At least let my mom get the measurements and she can pick out something your style then,” Zachariah said, lifting my face to his. Before I could respond, he pressed his lips to my own, banishing my train of thought.
I melted into him, letting him take away my fears and pain. Somehow, he was able to make things seem better when life was crashing down around me. I could never figure out how it did it, but he just made life better.
“Shall we?” he asked, pulling back from, but keeping his hands at my waist.
“I guess so,” I whispered, lost still in the pleasure of his kiss.
With one more soft, short kiss, Zachariah broke away, taking my hand in his and leading me to the car where Jonas was already waiting.