Marie's Journey (Ginecean Chronicles) by Monica La Porta Page B

about Carnia . She felt her stomach contract.
    “Are you okay?” Verena had already forgotten the cat, worriedly staring at Marie.
    “I must’ve eaten too fast.” With a swift touch of her fingers, she pushed the untouched bread and olives behind her. “It’s getting cold.” She massaged her arms to reinforce her statement. “Let’s go inside.”
    Verena followed her back to their room. Much to Marie’s disappointment, it was soon evident Verena was in a chatty mood, whereas Marie would’ve preferred silence and solitude. She sat on the desk, her body uncomfortably angled toward the window, her eyes trying to locate the mulberry tree four floors below. Darkness had already claimed the courtyard, but she kept looking downward, hoping against hope to see Grant. A sudden shift in light made her glue her face to the windowpane.
    “You’re acting strange.” Verena stopped folding the pile of clothes on the bed and walked to the desk, leaning to peer over Marie’s shoulders. “The moon’s so pretty tonight.”
    Marie raised her eyes to the sky, saw the full moon illuminating the roofs, and wished the light could reach the dark courtyard, but the buildings facing Redfarm were tall and stole the moonlight for themselves. The flickering light she had seen a moment ago was already lost under the canopy of the tall trees Madame Lana was proud of. She squinted, hoping to see the light reemerge between one swaying branch and another, but the wind had simmered to a gentle breeze and nothing moved.
    Suddenly, a gnawing longing to be needed assailed Marie. It must have shown on her face because Verena hugged her.
    “You still miss her.” Verena released her to look into her eyes. “Idra,” she explained when Marie looked back, puzzled by her statement.
    “How do you know about her?” But Marie had an idea of how her roommate would know Idra’s name.
    “You talk in your sleep. A lot.”
    Marie flushed.
    “Don’t be ashamed. I had a sweetheart before coming here. Had to leave her behind too.” Verena tilted her head to mimic Marie’s position. “I liked her, but I was young and she was young.”
    “What about her?”
    “Haven’t heard from her in years. She’s pretty. I’m sure she found someone who makes her happy.”
    “Do you ever think that if you hadn’t left, you’d be together now?” Marie walked to the bed to put some personal space between her and Verena, sat on the edge, and hugged herself.
    “Of course I do. I wouldn’t be crying after a girl who’ll never look at me twice. I think I’d be happy.” Verena sighed and sat on the bed, back to back with Marie “I know I’d be happier.”
    Marie couldn’t see the girl’s face, but she heard the sadness in her voice. Her hand traveled on the duvet, looking for Verena’s.
    Verena squeezed back. “I’m telling you this so you know life goes on. A month from now, or maybe two, this pain you’re feeling when you think of her will lessen and it will disappear altogether.”
    Marie changed position to take Verena in her arms and cradled her. You’re lying. It doesn’t get any better, does it? She caressed her friend’s head, following the cascade of hair down to the bed. “You’ll be happy.”
    “Thank you.” Verena sniffed again, and from the tone of her voice, Marie understood she didn’t believe her.
    They stayed silent for a while and then retired for the night in their respective beds. Marie closed her eyes, and the last thing she thought before finally falling asleep was that someone was still pining over Carnia. And she didn’t like it. A man shouldn’t even dare thinking about a woman . She rationalized her distress over the situation. It isn’t natural.

4
    Two months later, Marie had found a boring, although not completely unpleasant, rhythm in her daily chores. She still was nothing more than a scullery maid, but a growing familiarity with the other girls helped a great deal in making her judge Redfarm with different