Chapter 23. The Human’s Anatomy

Celeste’s POV

When we returned to the village, the reaction from the other girls was far from welcoming. As soon as they spotted the strange, unconscious male we carried, several of them let out sharp hisses, and a few even bared their teeth at us. The air buzzed with disapproval, and I could feel their stares drilling holes into my back as we made our way through the narrow lanes. Even the squirrel that accompanied us seemed unsettled—its tiny paws pointed nervously at him, as though it recognized the threat even in his limp form. It still chattered anxily every time we set him down.

We escorted him directly to The Goddess’s chamber. The large doors creaked open, revealing Her Majesty seated on her elevated platform, draped in deep red robes and gold filigree. She welcomed our safe return with a gentle smile, but the moment her eyes fell on the swaddled figure in my arms, her expression shifted to mild disappointment.

“You brought back a male,” she said qu