The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 83: You’ve Changed

Chapter 83: You’ve Changed

Isadora and Vanya exchanged smiles before turning to face the welcoming crowd.

At the intense sensation of a heavy stare, Isadora lifted her gaze toward the grandstand.

Kraven stood with arms crossed against his broad chest, his silver gaze pinned on her.

Isadora’s lips parted as the rest of the sound and crowd erased. It was just them in an empty arena, her gaze to the top and his down on hers.

He uncrossed his arms, turned his back, and walked away. The sounds of the cheers and the crowd came back.

Isadora blinked, leveling her gaze. What had she hoped for? To see that pride in his gaze?

Their last encounter suddenly resurfaced, reminding her why she should not drown in a wrecking ship.

She survived, that was all she should think about, and not worry about approval from someone who got a kick toward her suffering and pain.

A tap on her shoulder from Vanya snapped her back to reality. She nudged her chin, a silent message that it was time to leave.

Isadora nodded as they walked to the exit. For a brief second her eyes landed on Dain, his frown was so satisfying to see, and to make him choke on his rage, Vanya and Isadora exchanged smug grins in unison.

"Isadora?"

She turned her head at the sound of Rav’s voice, and he stood before her. Seeing the familiar gentle giant and his beautiful rubies she couldn’t help it as her pulse raced.

"Rav," she said softly as she pulled away from Vanya and limped toward him.

He instantly held her waist to steady her. "You’re alive... I thought you were dead." His hand trembled as he held her frame.

She raised her gaze and met his sad eyes. She smiled, the same way her eyes turned glassy and the tears threatened to fall.

"I-I thought I was too..." she sobbed.

"Alda! Isadora, you’re so cold," he said, feeling her cheeks, unable to believe she was still standing here in one piece.

He needed some assurance so he kept rubbing her cheek to feel her, they were soft under his skin and caused tingles in his body.

’She’s really here.’

The past few days had been hell for him, the nightmares increased and he couldn’t go through the night with a decent sleep.

"Rav, I..." Isadora couldn’t finish because everything suddenly spun, her eyes rolled at the back of her head as her body gave out.

"Isadora!" Rav caught her small frame before she could hit the ground.

"What’s wrong with her?" he asked the girl, who had been standing by Isadora’s side.

"She needs medical attention," she signed, her face morphed in worry.

Rav’s eyes descended back to Isadora in his arms, and his heart shattered when he saw the wounds and cuts.

"Why didn’t she heal herself?" he asked, and then his eyes landed on her hands.

The organ in his chest almost ripped out at the mere sight of them, they were battered so badly.

"Let’s get you help," he murmured faintly, carrying her in his arms as he walked out of the arena.

~♧~

A Few Days Later

Isadora groaned, her body felt so light but weak. She opened her eyes and found Rav staring back at her with scarlet eyes.

"You’re awake," he said—adjusting his seat to be closer.

Isadora blinked confused, her eyes taking in the view, it looked like a ward.

Beds lined the hall and there were windows too which showed the view of the clouds.

"Where am I?"

"The Infirmary," he replied. "You’ve been out for days, how do you feel?"

"Like I don’t weigh anything."

Rav chuckled at her reply causing a smile on her lips.

"She has been watching you, even though she needed the rest herself." He pointed.

Isadora turned her head left and found Vanya fast asleep.

"She wouldn’t leave your side."

"Will she be okay?"

Rav scoffed, unable to contain the sad smile on his lips. "You’re in a worse state than her, yet you worry."

Isadora turned her head back to him. "Should I not be?"

"You’re a sweet soul, Isadora, and I’m thankful the Hunt didn’t eat you," he said, but then his expression changed.

Isadora licked her dry lips and began. "Rav..."

"It’s possible not to be in the finals. It’s normal for dropouts, those who can’t handle the pressure. It’s no shame, Isadora."

Confusion morphed her features. "Finals?" she had thought the Eating Woods was it. "There’s more?"

"Just the last one, it determines the warrior’s strength." He paused as his teeth clenched. "A great amount does not survive it because of how brutal it is."

Isadora sighed, closing her eyes briefly. There was still one more to go, it wasn’t over yet.

"But you can get a pass... I can make it work."

"I’ll think about it."

Her reply stunned him, was she still thinking of doing this?

"Isadora."

She turned her gaze back to him and smiled. "I’ll be fine, Rav."

She looked at her hands, healed, but still needed work but at least the quivers stopped. "I survived."

"By the olden gods favor, how long do you think they’ll give you that?" he reasoned, fearing for what awaited her, the look in her eyes wasn’t of someone who had the intention of yielding.

This was what he feared the most. She had been pulled deeper into this and the way back was gloomier.

"You’ve changed," he voiced, with narrowed eyes, staring at the girl he could barely recognize.

"How so?"

"The look in your eyes, it’s sharper, fiercer," he said with a frown. "You no longer look like the girl from that brothel."

His words caused a sting in her chest because he said it as if he wasn’t proud of it—like he hated it.

"Do you not like it?" she asked in a heavy tone.

He took her hand in his own, her hands small in his hold, and reminded him how fragile she was.

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