"Okay." Difyr said. "You be sure to let me know if you need anything. Healers can make the worst patients, but no excuses, I have plenty of time these days."

"I will, thank you," Aalyssa said. But she knew her scars were emotional and there was little Difyr could do.

"I don't think Pinja is going... If you would like some company." Difyr said. The girl had moved out of the healing room to share a room in the dormitory with Millie. "I could ask her to come over if you'd like."

"No, that's okay. I just want to rest and maybe get some sleep."

"Okay." Difyr said, sad to leave Aalyssa behind and alone while she went to a feast. "Rest well, the tea in the pot should still be warm."

"Thank you," Aalyssa said again.

"I'll see you later." Difyr said and reluctantly left.

Aalyssa stretched out on her cot and stared at the ceiling.

Pinja quietly entered the room.

"Hello?" She called in a soft voice.

Aalyssa managed to fight the threatening tears, she managed to block her heartache. She had just rolled on to her side when she heard the door open. She clutched the blanket as she pulled it over her head, fearing it was her kinsman come for her again. Aalyssa had no doubt they would be so bold. Perhaps if they couldn't see her, they would move on. And then she heard a soft voice, relaxing slightly. "Pinja? Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me." Pinja was relieved that it was just Aalyssa here. She gently closed the door. She was still shaking.

Aalyssa sat up. "Is something wrong, Pinja?"

"No." Pinja's voice shook as she tried to fight back tears. "I just... Millie went to the dinner. I just don't want to be alone."

"I was starting to regret my decision to be alone myself," Aalyssa admitted. "It was much too quiet which caused me to reside in my memories."

"Flashbacks." Pinja whispered.

"Yes, exactly," Aalyssa agreed with a sigh.

Pinja sat on one of the beds. "They'll never stop, will they?"

"They may, but only if you don't remain lost in your own thoughts. Distraction is key."

"I tried reading." Pinja shifted the book in her hands. "But there's so much talk about that wedding going on tomorrow."

"I don't begrudge the villagers their excitement. It's been a while since something good that can be celebrated has happened. It doesn't mean that it's easy on either of us though."

"When he brought me home I thought I was finally safe from him." Pinja said. "My parents had come to an agreement with his family for me to marry him." Pinja shuddered.

"Any parent who would force their child into such a situation, with the knowledge of what was going on, never deserved to be parents. Despite being princesses, displaced though they may be, I allowed both of my daughters to find their own happiness. I never would have forced them into an unwanted marriage," Aalyssa said with disgust.

"I never would have believed my parents would have done that." Pinja said. "Then they did."

"They should suffer the fates of the gods for that," Aalyssa spat. "My parents did everything to keep me from the man I love, and your parents tossed you to the wolves. Disgusting, the lot of them."

Pinja nodded, even though Aalyssa could not see it. A tear ran down her nose.