Rosie's Games

Chapter 408: Memory of a Goddess

Rosalind lay in bed, her body weary and yearning for rest, but her mind refused to surrender to sleep. Her mind seemed immune to the weariness that pervaded her limbs. As she lay there, her gaze fixed upon the intricately carved ceiling, a myriad of thoughts swirled within her consciousness, refusing to grant her peace.

Belisarius's revelations had ignited a spark of curiosity within her, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that kept her mind buzzing with questions. However, his abrupt departure only fueled her frustration, leaving her feeling abandoned in a sea of uncertainty. How could he leave her hanging with such profound revelations about the goddess and the mysterious connection that seemed to tie her own soul to that ancient being?

As the crackling fire in the fireplace cast dancing shadows across the room, its soft glow bathing the chamber in a warm ambiance, Rosalind found herself delving into the depths of her thoughts.

Duke Lucas Rothley and the man who resembled him inside her dreams resurfaced in her mind. This added another layer of mystery. If Belisarius was indeed one of the companions of the goddess, what role did Lucas play in this narrative? Who was he, and what purpose did he serve in the grand scheme of things?

Rosalind's mind soon ventured into the realm of demons and the looming threat they posed. She couldn't help but curse Belisarius in the depths of her thoughts.

With a sigh escaping her lips, Rosalind rose from her bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle upon her shoulders. She splashed cool water on her face, the refreshing droplets washing away the remnants of sleeplessness. Seeking solace, she quietly positioned herself by the window, her gaze fixed upon the glistening snow outside.

A voice that sliced through the stillness disrupted the serenity of the scene. "Cannot sleep?" The words uttered with an air of melancholy drew Rosalind's attention. She turned, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw Atior standing not far from her.

"You" Rosalind began, her voice tinged with both caution and curiosity.

"I did not come here to harm you," Atior interjected, her voice carrying a weight that seemed unfamiliar, deeper than before. "I came to apologize."

Rosalind's brow furrowed, uncertainty clouding her features. Atior's presence and the unexpected change in her voice ignited a maelstrom of questions within Rosalind's mind. Earlier, Belisarius had warned her that Atior might come. She did not expect it to happen very soon.

"Apologize for what?" Rosalind inquired, her voice laced with a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

"I did not mean to destroy the barrier," Atior confessed, her tone heavy with remorse. "I mean... It was not my intention to break it. I was simply unaware of the extent to which the barrier had weakened."

"If you were not there to destroy the barrier, then what were you trying to do?" Rosalind's voice held a mix of curiosity and skepticism, her eyes locked on Atior.

For a fleeting moment, silence enveloped the room, heightening the tension between them. Then, with a heavy sigh, Atior finally spoke, her voice carrying the weight of her intentions. "I wanted to take you out of the place where the Duke had taken you."

Rosalind's brows furrowed in confusion. The revelation caught her off guard, weaving a tapestry of questions in her mind. Why would Atior seek to rescue her? And what was the Duke's motive for taking her to that cave? The pieces of the puzzle were scattered, waiting to be assembled.

"I was not aware of your exact location, but after tirelessly scouring the island for days, I grew increasingly certain that the Duke intended to take you with him," Atior continued, her voice tinged with a mixture of determination and concern.

A sense of unease settled within Rosalind. Belisarius had hinted at similar notions, suggesting that there was more to her situation than met the eye. The depths of her memory remained elusive, shrouded in uncertainty.

"Why do you think he would take me there?" Rosalind probed, her voice filled with a quiet resolve to unravel the truth.

"The Duke... "Atior's expression hardened, her lips thinning as if she weighed the consequences of her next words. Eventually, she spoke, her voice laced with guarded caution. "You must understand that there are aspects I cannot discuss with you until you regain your memory."

"Memory?" Rosalind echoed, frustration tingeing her voice. Her brow furrowed as confusion clouded her expression. "What memory? I haven't lost my memory, Atior."

Atior hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting uneasily.

"You are the Goddess. You are" Atior began, her voice filled with a mix of reverence and uncertainty.

"How do you know that?" Rosalind interjected, her tone laced with curiosity. She vividly recalled how Atior had always referred to her as the Goddess, following her with unwavering dedication. It was a belief that seemed deeply ingrained within Atior's being.

Atior took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before responding. "The goddess who saved us all, the goddess of the sorcerers," she explained, her voice carrying a touch of awe.

"So now you're calling the Goddess a sorcerer," Rosalind remarked, a hint of intrigue coloring her words. She chose to feign ignorance, suppressing the knowledge she had gained from Belisarius's revelations earlier. It was a strategic move to coax Atior into divulging more information willingly.

"The Goddess is a sorcerer. For some reason, the members of the seven families had been trying to hide this for centuries." Atior spoke. "As much as I wanted to, I cannot tell you something that you do not already know. I cannot simply give you what you want."

Rosalind frowned, disappointment flickered in her eyes. She wanted she needed to know more about the past.

"I apologize..." Atior's voice trailed off, her tone filled with a mix of urgency and regret. "However, time is of the essence. We must meet again."

Rosalind's brows furrowed in confusion, her mind racing to comprehend Atior's cryptic words. She opened her mouth to speak, but Atior swiftly interrupted.

"I can only reveal myself during the night, at this exact hour," Atior clarified, her figure starting to shimmer and blur. The surrounding air seemed to ripple, as if reality itself was being distorted. Then she was gone.