{"id":3230,"date":"2022-09-14T19:44:14","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T19:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/?p=3230"},"modified":"2022-09-14T19:44:16","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T19:44:16","slug":"makutu-academy-secret-admirer-chapter-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/?p=3230","title":{"rendered":"Makutu Academy &#8211; Secret Admirer -Chapter 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Makutu-Academy-Secret-Admirer-Banner-1024x203.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Makutu-Academy-Secret-Admirer-Banner-1024x203.png 1024w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Makutu-Academy-Secret-Admirer-Banner-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Makutu-Academy-Secret-Admirer-Banner-768x152.png 768w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Makutu-Academy-Secret-Admirer-Banner-1536x304.png 1536w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Makutu-Academy-Secret-Admirer-Banner.png 1918w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Chapter 3<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"959\" height=\"148\" src=\"http:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line.jpg 959w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line-300x46.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Line-768x119.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 959px) 100vw, 959px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhere have you been?\u201d He sounds angry. He glances at my hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I remember the ring I have on my finger. He wants the ring back. I should have guessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving my food on the table I walk over to him, slipping the ring from my finger, I hand him it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I move to leave the room, but he catches my arm, stopping me and turning me around. He actually looks hurt and worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhy? You love me and I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAre you kidding me?\u201d He looks genuinely confused. \u201cYou told me to shut up and apologised for me like my opinion means nothing to you! Do you have any idea how much it hurt?! And then to top it off instead of apologising to me yourself you yell at me. I\u2019m clearly not good enough for you in your eyes or your families. It\u2019s best we stop now because I am not planning on being the meek, obedient little wifey you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want a friend, a lover, someone who cares and respects my opinion. You say you love me but you don\u2019t give a damn!\u201d I am barely holding back the tears and I am surprised to see he looks the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPlease, give me another chance, a chance to explain? It\u2019s a misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I do love him and want to believe him. \u201cFine. Explain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNot here. Let me take you back to the cottage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I reluctantly agrees and turn to grab my sandwich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hear him chanting but not what. But I soon know what when I see the ring back on my finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I look back at him with a raised brow, but instead of mentioning the ring I hold out half of the sandwich for him. \u201cYou haven\u2019t eaten, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He smiles and steals a kiss before taking the half. \u201cThank you, Katrina.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re forgiven, \u201d I tell him as with exit the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He nods but doesn\u2019t look deterred. Eating the sandwich quickly, his expression is back to his resting bitch face as we head back to the cottage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAre you brothers still at the cottage?\u201d I ask remembering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo, but they will be back in a couple of hours to meet you properly. But Snow is there resting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIs he alright?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He smiles and nods. \u201cI am really sorry about earlier. It was stupid of my brother but Snow is fine, just tired.\u201d He\u2019s an owl, so nocturnal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNow, tell me why I should give you another chance?\u201d I ask sitting down on a chair opposite him at the kitchen table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe made love.\u201d I stare at him and wave for him to continue. \u201cIt may not mean anything to most, but my family exclusively save themselves for the woman they will marry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was special to me too. I want the same but I don\u2019t want to be with someone who won\u2019t respect my opinion and will yell at me for no reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m sorry about that. Really. I was stressed and annoyed that my brothers came before I could explain everything to you. I know it isn\u2019t a good reason, but it\u2019s true. I respect you. I love everything about you, even when you are sassy with me and don\u2019t do the school work I set you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI do the school work!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAlright, then tell me the basic protection spell I taught you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He taught me a protection spell? Oops, I must have zoned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHmm\u2026 Oookay\u2026 Icklty picklty pop, protect my head?\u201d I say not convinced. Cue a woolly hat appearing on my head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou weren\u2019t specific, bunny brain. Unless you were after protection for the cold,\u201d He says amused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking the hat off, I quickly reach over and yank it over it his head before making a run for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhy you\u2026\u201d Throwing the hat off, he bolts after me. He is much taller than me and faster, he quickly catches me and in moments we are rolling around kissing on the bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lost in passion, all was forgotten as he drives me to more butterflies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI love you so much, bunny,\u201d He says between kisses afterwards, heart shaped butterflies flying around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI love you too. Now what did you have to tell me before your brothers arrived which annoyed you enough to get angry at me?\u201d I ask remembering our previous conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His eyes widen for a fraction of a moment as though realising he hasn\u2019t told me yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But then quickly moves so we are sat naked on the bed opposite each other, but he is holding my hands. \u201cI\u2026\u201d He laughs nervously. \u201cSorry, it\u2019s just strange to have to explain this. You are the only person I\u2019ve met who didn\u2019t know who my family is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIs that why you like me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI like that, but no. I love you for so many other reasons, your beauty and innocence being a couple of reasons.\u201d I smile and he continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy family own and run a company which make magical enhanced items.\u201d I nod listening. \u201cBut that\u2019s not important. I don\u2019t know how it started but as far back as my family tree goes all Forster brothers share one wife. I have two fathers and one mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWow, really?\u201d I listen not getting what he is telling me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes. Rumours are it was because Forster brothers for centuries always fought over one woman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMakes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSince then, we have always given our intended a special ring.\u201d I glance down at my hand as it all starts to click into place. \u201cNormally it is a joint decision\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut not your brothers and us, right? We don\u2019t even know one another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He shrugs his shoulders. \u201cI don\u2019t know. They came here when they noticed the ring gone. They want to meet you properly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not sure how to react.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI know how you feel. Let\u2019s forget about it for now and just see if you can become friends with them.\u201d Easier said than done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat happened after I left?\u201d I ask changing the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He pulls me back into a hug in front of him. With me as a little spoon and him the big spoon we speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHonestly, not much. I had expected them to flip since I never told anyone what I was planning but they just told me to get you back so they can meet you. They went to town. I went to look for you but couldn\u2019t find you. I was so worried.\u201d I lean back and kiss his jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was meditating in the woods. I lost track of time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe woods? You should be more careful. There are a lot of dangerous wild animals in there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDangerous animals? Oh, yes, I saw a scary man eating hedgehog and its baby,\u201d I say laughing at him, not mentioning the sweet conjoined dog\u2026 Or should I say dogs? I\u2019m not sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cue a tickle fight and which quickly lead to more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDoes butterflies count as dangerous?\u201d I ask him breathlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He looks down at me with a heated look as he pushes his cock inside me. I moan and he groans. \u201cThat will never get old.\u201d He slowly rocks inside kissing me deeper with each thrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBe mine forever, never leave me?\u201d He asks almost pleadingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou know I love you. Just think about what you say in future and never keep secrets from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We kiss passionately until we hear a noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I look over his shoulder to see Snow watching us, eating my butterflies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I frown. \u201cHe\u2019s eating them.\u201d Nicholas frown but I can see he is trying not to laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI hope you get belly ache, you greedy pig!\u201d He bursts out laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCome on, bunny,\u201d He stands up, picking me up with him. \u201cLet\u2019s go clean up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A short time later and washes and redresses we leave the bedroom and enter the kitchen to see Nicholas\u2019s older brothers sitting at the table with Snow on the table in front of them, hiccupping bubbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHa, serves you right, you greedy piggy!\u201d I say laughing out loud. Nicholas looks on amused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The older brothers look back at me suspiciously. \u201cWasn\u2019t you scolding us for hurting him earlier?\u201d The tattooed brother says accusingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe didn\u2019t hurt him. He\u2019s just dumb, eating things he shouldn\u2019t,\u201d Nicholas defends me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat did he eat?\u201d The other brother asks. He seems most concerned, so I guess Snow is his familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cButterflies\u2026\u201d I answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut he always eats them. They are his favourite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese were very special butterflies,\u201d Nicholas says giving me a little smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSpecial? I should take him to a vet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo,\u201d I stop Snow\u2019s owner. \u201cThey were magical. It will wear off. He\u2019ll be fine.\u201d Magically made creatures are known not to last forever, unless you use a lot of power and they are impossible to kill without magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As if on cue, Snow hiccups again, only this time a heart shaped butterfly fly from his beak and pops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAt least that explains why he\u2019s hiccupping,\u201d The tattooed brother said amused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s good to meet you, Katrina,\u201d He greets me standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes\u2026\u201d I wait for him to introduce himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou are being tutored by my little brother, right? Because you were never in a Makutu Academy before now?\u201d He and his other brother looks at me, awaiting my reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes. I didn\u2019t want to come but my parents thought it would be good for me,\u201d I reply politely still awaiting their names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou are related to Principal Harington?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat?\u201d Both Nicholas and I am confused at this question. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut you are a late entry in a elite academy. You must have money or family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd why exactly is that?\u201d I ask the arrogant tattooed brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBecause if you were a high level you would have been found sooner and been schooled here for years.\u201d The second brother nods his head agreeing. I am unable to read Nicholas\u2019s expression<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am from a small village miles from anywhere, made up of mainly retirees. My mother is a vet and my father is a doctor. Neither them or any of their family has magical abilities. I was home schooled since I was the only child in the village. We met Jules Harington when he was travelling through my village. He stayed a few days and found out I have some magic abilities. Nothing special but I told him I didn\u2019t want to go to an academy. But he is arrogant jerk and didn\u2019t listen. But I have noticed the academy breeds arrogant people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou aren\u2019t being very nice, Katrina,\u201d Nicholas says knowing I meant his brothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut it\u2019s true. You\u2019re arrogant and them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHey! You are meant to love me!\u201d He is like a bratty child at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI do. But it doesn\u2019t mean you aren\u2019t arrogant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not arrogant!\u201d Tattooed brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a healer,\u201d The brother with the familiar adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNicholas\u2019s brothers?\u201d Tattoo brother answers as though I am dumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I look at my fianc\u00e9. \u201cCan you tell me their names?\u201d I\u2019m bitchy when I\u2019m hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, of course. This is Vincent, he is my oldest brother. He\u2019s twenty-four,\u201d He indicates to tattooed brother. \u201cAnd this is Conrad, twenty-three.\u201d The brother with the familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe really is a kind man. Vincent\u2026 He is\u2026 Annoying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I laugh and Vincent glares at his younger brother. \u201cHey! I\u2019m fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd I\u2019m hungry. I met your brothers. You promised me dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGreat. I\u2019m starved,\u201d Vincent saya rubbing his stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat are we eating?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was hoping for some time alone with Nicholas, I guess not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He sends me an apologetic look. \u201cYour choice, Katrina.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAre we cooking or using magic?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t rely on magic food. It isn\u2019t very nutritious in the long run,\u201d Conrad tells me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHave you any food in?\u201d I ask Nicholas who shakes his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFine. Stay here.\u201d I move to the door but Nicholas goes to follow me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou can stay with your brothers, I won\u2019t be long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo. I will go with you.\u201d He turns to his brothers, \u201cWait here,\u201d He says in his normal stern tone and I can\u2019t help but laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s a cheeky little brat,\u201d Vincent can be heard saying as we exit the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nicholas wears a stern expression but holds my hand. Once we begin to walk into the woods he visibly slows. \u201cWe really shouldn\u2019t be in here. It isn\u2019t your normal woods. Magical creatures live in the woods. They are attracted to the schools magical energy. Some of the creatures are harmless. But there are some very dangerous creatures. People are scared and don\u2019t enter because they are attacked. I honestly don\u2019t know how you came out unharmed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou really didn\u2019t see anything?\u201d He asks in disbelief, holding me close as we enter the woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWell, there was a conjoined dog but he\u2026 they? Hmm\u2026 It was cute.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He laughs. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be surprised. There is a lot of strange creatures around here. But why are we here? I thought we were getting food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes. I saw some edible plants.\u201d Seeing his curious expression I add, \u201cMy mother taught me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I begin collecting. \u201cMagic me up a basket and garden trowel,\u201d I tell him not looking back as I continue collecting. He chants a spell I can\u2019t quite hear, but holds out the basket a moment later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThank you, Nick,\u201d I say placing the berries and herbs I collected inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking the trowel, it isn\u2019t long before we have different types of root vegetables, mushrooms and leaks, among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, maybe I got a little carried away,\u201d I say sheepishly noticing Nicholas has magiced up a second basket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo. You are amazing. Just when I think I know everything about you, you do something that just shows me how brilliant you are.\u201d I know I am blushing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d kiss you, but I don\u2019t want to get you dirty too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He surprises me pulling me into his arms and kissing me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only moments later we pull apart hearing a thud. A dead wild boar now lay besides our baskets on the ground. I look up just in time to see a white tail disappear behind a tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCloud?\u201d I call the name I had given the dog earlier. One of the pup\u2019s head peck out from behind the tree with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s the dog I told you about. I think he is helping us with dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nicholas is clearly surprised, but accepts the gift, thanking the dog. He carries the boar and a basket, while I carry the second and his staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou know Cloud was following us through the woods and even now?\u201d He asks causing me to look around to see a white tail poking out of a bush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can\u2019t help but laugh. \u201cHe\u2019s my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo. I think it\u2019s more than that. I think he\u2019s your familiar.\u201d Seeing my surprise he explains. \u201cI have noticed paw prints often since you arrived. I think he has been following and watching you, taking care. I suspected you had a familiar, but wasn\u2019t certain until now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat can just happen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not unusually in people with higher levels of magic.\u201d I listen with interest. \u201cHe would have become attuned to your feelings. It\u2019s why he first showed himself to you today, because he sensed your sadness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div><p id=\"pvc_stats_3230\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"3230\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/mazimai.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p><div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 3 \u201cWhere have you been?\u201d He sounds angry. He glances at my hand. I remember the ring I have on my finger. He wants the ring back. I should have guessed. Leaving my food on the table I walk over to him, slipping the ring from my finger, I hand him it. I move [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_3230\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"3230\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 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