The Reaping of the Gods

Chapter 11

The next day is a blur. I slept most of the day. No dates. No events. Rest. I was bruised all over from my altercation with Set. I had bruises in the shape of his hand on my throat. Luke had brought me right to Anaya and then he left. I'll admit that I was glad he left. I couldn't face him. I don't know why, but I felt embarrassed that he had to save me. I also didn't want him to see me all bruised and battered.

Josie was out most of the day with Alec. She offered to stay back with me but there was no way I was going to keep her at the house instead of being with Alec. The girls spent all day coming and going checking on me and such. I'd also received a couple of gifts from Set. Half-assed apologies in some sort of plea to keep me, but he never had me.

I slept right through until the next morning. Anaya forced me to get up and showered this morning. It helped numb the soreness I was feeling and made me feel a bit more myself. There was alot more buzz in the house today as tomorrow is Selection Day. Josie and Anaya have been filling me in on what is to happen. Apparently, on Selection day there is a huge dinner and then after each girl will stand up on stage, they will ask if anyone wishes to claim her and any suitors will raise their hand and come up front. The girl will then choose. Once a match is made the god will make their mark on her left palm. It's kind of like an engagement ring but magic. If no match is made then the girl is either sent home or can choose to stay where she'll be given a house and a job. Sounds simple enough but also daunting.

Most of the girls have met their soulmates and so the choice is easy. My choice is a little more complicated. Half of me prays that Luke stands up and announces that he wants me. There's nothing more I want then for him to want me. The other half of me hopes that he doesn't so my choice to go home will be less painful. I can't be the reason for a war. I can't be selfish when other people's lives depend on it, including Luke.

I spend most of the day helping Anaya with some of the preparations for tomorrow night. Folding napkins, ironing table cloths, etc. "Larissa, someone is at the door for you." Anaya pokes her head into the laundry room.

"Be right there." I finish folding some towels and head upstairs. I really hope it's not Set. I never want to see him again. I can feel my heart start to race with anxiety. I can feel my thoughts running away with what if it is him. I walk into the front entry way and see Luke. I let out a relieved breathe that I didn't even know I was holding in.

"I'm only letting you see her because you saved her life." Anaya reminds Luke of the rules and then takes her leave.

"How are you feeling?" He asks taking a step towards me.

"Still a little bit sore, but alive because of you. Thank you again by the way."

"Always." He steps close to me and wraps me in his arms. I wrap mine around his waist and enjoy the calm feeling washing over me.

I'd always imagined this is how it would feel to hug my husband or soulmate. I just assumed it would be after meeting at a bar or online or something. But right now I didn't care. All I wanted was for this to become forever.

"Larissa" He breaks the silence. "I need you to know something."

"What is it?" I look up at him and his face no longer looks happy to see me. He looks somber. This can't be good. I take a step back and he releases me.

"I care about you alot."

"Why does it sound like there is a but in there?" I ask folding my arms in front of my chest.

"Hades has banned Set and I from being at the Selection tomorrow. "

"What does that mean? Why?"

"Set was banned for attacking you and I was banned for attacking Set."

"But you were protecting me."

"Doesn't matter apparently." He stares at the floor unable to make eye contact with me.

"But what does that mean for me?" I know exactly why Hades banned both of them. He used the fight at the restaurant to keep me from staying. He took the option for me to stay away.

"You will get the option of going home or staying here." He finally looks up at me and I notice tears in his eyes and my heart breaks. At that moment I knew how much he cared about me. He was going to choose me and now he was getting that choice taken away from him.

"What if I stay? Could we still see each other?"

"We could but I need you to go home."

"What?" What was he talking about? How could he say he cares about me and then tell me to leave never to see him again.

"It's for the best." He takes a step towards me and tries to put his hands on my arms in reassurance but I shrugged them off in anger.

"Best for who? Me or you?" I smack his hands away again. I couldn't look at him. I wasn't going to let him see me cry.

I ran upstairs. I could hear him screaming for me. I ran straight to bed and threw myself on it like some Disney Princess. My heart was breaking and I didn't care how dramatic I was being. I'd never felt such pain. I laid on my bed hoping to hear him burst through the door. Hoping he'd come tell me that he made a mistake and that I should stay. But nothing. Silence. No foot steps, No yelling or knocking on the door. Then I heard the front door slam. He left. He left me.