Absolution

Io stopped as Belle caled out, and her form shifted around to face the Empress. Deathbelle’s heart slammed against her chest and her insides turned but she remained stoic on the outside. The healer looked like one of her children after being scolded. Her ears were pinned, and she didn’t seem eager to be in her presence again. Belle tried not to flinch as her own name poured smoothly from Io’s lips.

Deathbelle shrugged lightly, ”My shoulders have healed.” Her words were more cold than she intended, but Io’s actions had shown Belle something she hadn’t wanted to see. Left unsaid was the pain inside.

Surprise flashed across her features as Io followed up, ”That’s all?” Io had walked off without a word and she hadn’t seen her since, the least she deserved was an apology for that. Not to mention how crass she had been when all the Empress wanted was to make her lover whole again after her mistake.