Remembered by E. D. Brady Page A

soon. I would have carried you to your
bed, but I didn’t want to wake Cora.”
    “I’m sorry for falling asleep like that,” she said,
blushing.
    “Don’t be,” he answered. “But I must insist that you go to
bed immediately. I can let myself out.”
    She said a quick goodbye and walked up the tiny hall to her
bedroom. “Are you sleeping?” she asked Cora.
    “Not really,” Cora mumbled.
    Annie lay down next to her sister, noticing that Cora still
looked very pale. “Are you sure that you’re alright?” she asked, grabbing Cora’s
hands. They lay facing each other.
    “I feel a little weak,” Cora admitted. “Are you alright?”
    “What do you mean?” Annie asked suspiciously.
    “I may be only seventeen, but I’m no fool,” Cora replied.
“It appears that you and the apprentice have more than just a casual attraction
for each other.”
    “How so?” Annie questioned.
    “Annie, I think you’re falling in love with him,” she said
quietly.
    “No, Cora, I can’t fall in love with him. He’s an
apprentice,” Annie answered. Nevertheless, she knew at that moment it was too
late, it had happened. She was in love with Kellus, and it was obvious to Cora,
at least.
    Cora shrugged her shoulders under the blankets. “And I think
he’s falling in love with you, too,” she added.
    Cora was only half right. Annie was in love with Kellus, but
he did not feel the same way. He would not be foolish enough to let his
feelings get out of control.

Chapter 9
     
     
     
    On Friday, Annie headed down the hill to town, going back
and forth between hoping to see Kellus, and hoping not too. Once again, she had
made a decision that she would not think about him anymore. She would force
herself to fall out of love with him. She even considered taking a trip to East
Vistira to visit Sul, to apologize for not getting an opportunity to say goodbye
on Saturday. But it was useless; every five minutes, Kellus would pop back into
her head, causing Sul to pale in comparison.
    She finished shopping quickly and started for home, trying
as hard as she could not to look towards the Citadom.
    Focusing straight ahead, she saw Tol standing outside his
shop. Even the sight of him made her heart race faster, as though she was
somehow closer to Kellus by being near his father.
    “Hello, Tol,” she called out.
    “Annella, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Come inside and
visit with me for a moment,” he called back.
    Annie followed Tol inside the shop and leaned up against the
counter.
    “Did you like the hair clip?” he asked, leaning over the
opposite side of the counter from her.
    “I love it. Thank you very much,” she replied.
    “Don’t thank me, that was all Kellus,” he answered. “He even
insisted on paying full price for it.”
    “Really? Why did Kellus do that?” she questioned.
    “Kellus did that because he is very fond of you, young lady.
I thought that would have been obvious to you,” he responded.
    “I know we’re friends, but still, such a pretty gift…”she
trailed off.
    “He remembered you from your parent’s funeral, you know,”
Tol stated.  “You made quite an impression on him all those years ago. He never
forgot. And…he is a thoughtful young man.”
    “Who is?” a familiar voice called from the doorway.
    “Son, look who came to visit me,” Tol said loudly.
    Kellus leaned casually against the doorframe, arms folded
over his chest. “I would advise you not to cross me, father, or I’ll be forced
to tell mother that you were shamefully alone in here with a beautiful, younger
woman.” He winked at Annie playfully, sending her heart fluttering against her
ribs.
    “Are you jealous, son?” Tol asked in a teasing voice.
    “Very,” Kellus replied, nodding.
    “Your mother is well aware of my charms, son. It’s not my
fault that this lovely young lady wishes to spend time with me,” Tol taunted.
“Perhaps someday I’ll teach you the secrets of my appeal.”
    Kellus rolled his eyes