16 - Ariadne #4
“Your parents would have betrothed you to some awful man unworthy of your hand, and you would have been sent away! I couldn’t allow it to happen. Scandal was the better alternative. Even if-” Ariadne stops abruptly, a rush of rage overwhelming her, and Euphemia observes her warily.
“What?” she asks.
“It was Ksenia who told them…” Ariadne says. “Of course, it was her.”
Euphemia’s expression darkens as she considers it. “Iona told me of her treachery. I suppose it is possible-”
“I am a year older than she, and if I’d attended college that year as planned, she would have been too young to compete,” Ariadne says. “It was her. I know it.”
Euphemia considers it, but to call it coincidence would be folly.
“That bitch,” Ariadne spits.
“Indeed,” Euphemia says softly. “I am ever so sorry. I never should have allowed her to attend my parties. I did not recognize her lust for ambition. She is so difficult to read, so quiet…”
Ariadne sighs as her anger subsides. It was so long ago now, and in the end, she has all she could ever want in Iona.
“It was worth the trouble,” she decides.
“It certainly was for me,” Euphemia agrees with a small smile at the thought of her beloved family.
“I am glad you were given a choice,” Ariadne says. “That is all I wanted for you.”
“All I wished for you was freedom, so it seems we are the both of us victorious. Iona is darling, and the way you look at her…” She grins at Ariadne’s blush. “You are hopelessly besotted.”
“Yes, yes,” Ariadne waves her off.
“I am delighted to see you happy. It warms my heart,” Euphemia says. “Do not allow anyone to take that away.”
Ariadne’s eyes meet hers, and for a moment she wonders if Euphemia had overheard her mother’s words on the front steps, but she gives no indication. She only stares back with a trace of concern, and fathomless affection.
“See! They are playing with it!”
“Sara!” Nenet cries. “You mustn’t run! This is not our…”
She stops in the doorway, then sighs when Sara runs straight up to the pianoforte.
“May I play?” she asks.
“Ariadne is already playing,” Nenet gripes. “And she is far better than you-”
“I’ve been practicing!” Sara protests.
“I will tell Father of your disobedience,” Nenet warns. “It is far past your bedtime, anyhow. The other children are in bed-”
“No, I am not tired!” Sara whines.
“She may play if she wishes to,” Ariadne rises from the bench, gesturing for Sara to sit.
“I have permission,” Sara says with a haughty smile.
“Ugh… Very well.” Nenet rolls her eyes.
Eagerly, Sara jumps onto the bench, her short legs unable to reach the pedals, and begins playing random notes.
Euphemia smooths out her golden hair and says, “I’m afraid I must be off. Leonid will be wondering where I am.”
“Of course,” Ariadne says. “Many blessings.”
Euphemia places a warm palm against her cheek, then goes down the hall toward the courtyard.
“She has grown a head taller than last I saw her,” Ariadne observes as she approaches Nenet.
Sara, unaware of their conversation, slams her hands against the keys with far too much force, making Ariadne wince.
“When was that?” Nenet’s brow furrows as she tries to remember.
“Last summer, I believe,” Ariadne says.
“Yes, that’s right.” Nenet grins at the memory. “What fun we had.”
Ariadne clears her throat, a flush creeping up her neck.
“I wasn’t quite sure of the match between you and Iona, but I see now my doubts were foolish,” Nenet says. “Apart from that awkward departure earlier, all seems very well between the two of you.”
Ariadne’s blush deepens, and she keeps her eyes cast down. “Apologies, she was… rather faint. The ritual took its toll.”
“Hmm,” Nenet hums, unconvinced, but Ariadne refuses to explain further.
Sara remains entirely oblivious to their conversation, but Nenet takes a step closer anyway, and speaks in hushed tones.
“I must admit…” Nenet starts, then thinks better of it. “Or rather I suppose you’ve always been capable of inhabiting either role, when you were with Gisela and I, but after all your rollicking with Rebekka, I always thought you’d pair with someone more… dominant.”
“Iona is more assertive than you might think,” Ariadne says, recalling their game with the vines, and at the pianoforte.
“I truly hope so,” Nenet says, “or otherwise, the covens shall eat her alive.”
“Everyone underestimates her,” Ariadne says with sudden fiery conviction.
Nenet raises her eyebrows slightly. “I do not perceive her kindness as weakness, but others may.”
“She is not always meek,” Ariadne insists. “When provoked she can be quite… intimidating.”
“Know that from experience, do you?” Nenet grins, then laughs at Ariadne’s sheepish look. “I am glad she made you suffer before forgiving you.”
“That she did,” Ariadne chuckles.
What did I do? Iona asks.
Ariadne flinches in surprise, making Nenet’s eyes widen with concern.
“Why are you so excitable today?” she asks.
“I… Everything is fine,” Ariadne assures her. I shouldn’t have left you.
Do not apologize, Iona thinks. Just come here.
I shall, I just… Ariadne pauses when she senses Iona’s jealousy. You’ve nothing to fear.
Rebekka propositioned me again.
Ariadne’s jaw clenches with outrage. What did she say?
Look.
Grateful for her transparency, Ariadne delves into her mind to recount the conversation.
It sickens her, watching Rebekka so brazenly make her desire known, though it is no true surprise.
At the sight of Iona walking away, with Rebekka rightfully admonished, Ariadne’s anxiety would have disappeared entirely, if it weren’t for Iona’s tertiary thoughts on the very outskirts of her mind which cannot deny Rebekka’s beauty, her stature, her bold allure.
That which had once captivated Ariadne, too.
She is painfully aware of Rebekka’s everlasting patience.
Even when she had regretfully informed Rebekka of the newly arranged courtship with Elise and warned that she would never be free of her family, Rebekka had only smiled and had not been deterred in the least. If anything, the obstacle in their path had only seemed to peak her interest.
At every subsequent party, Rebekka had watched, waited, and meddled when she could, romancing Ariadne right under Elise’s nose.
It had never progressed very far, for Elise would always manage to find them too quickly wherever they could manage to hide, but Rebekka would only kiss her senseless in parting and leave her wanting more.
Rebekka had waited until Elise’s time finally ended, stoked Ariadne’s lust in the interim, until she thought it might burn her alive.
Perhaps it was cruel of her, in fact she knows it was, but once Elise ended their odious courtship after Yule, she’d stolen away to Iceland within the hour, deciding she had nothing to lose anymore.
Rebekka’s patience had lasted only until Ariadne explained her presence there and told her in no uncertain terms that Elise was truly gone.
Rebekka had taken her right then in a spectacular display of ravenous hunger unleashed in a long night of insatiable passion.
It had been her first time in bed with a woman, and Rebekka had taken great pleasure in that fact, something Ariadne would only understand later when she’d been the first to ravish Iona under the stars.
She’d never mistaken Rebekka’s interest in her for love, but she had no need for it then. At the time, it had been exactly what Ariadne craved; someone to hold her, to make her forget, to make her melt.
Rebekka will wait for Iona, if it suits her, even if it takes years.
Ariadne has little fear of infidelity, not from one so honorable as Iona. However, should she make one too many mistakes, should she ruin things as she so often does, and Iona decides that bonding with her was a mistake, then Rebekka will be waiting, ready to take Iona without remorse.
“Do not abuse the instrument like that!” Nenet scolds her sister, interrupting Ariadne’s tormented musings.
Did you see? Iona asks, still waiting.
Yes, Ariadne responds, forcing her emotions down. She is shameless in her pursuits, and you are the most beautiful woman present. I would think it odd if she did not at least try to seduce you.
Iona’s flush of pleasure is undercut by her enduring concern. I made myself quite clear. She shan’t bother me again.
And I shall reiterate those sentiments, Ariadne assures her.
What? Iona asks.
“Gisela remains bitter, I’m afraid,” Nenet says.
“Oh… Is she?” Ariadne asks, uninterested.
You mustn’t quarrel with Rebekka, Iona warns. She is a council member’s daughter, and such a scandal would only-
It shan’t come to blows, but I cannot let this go unanswered. Ariadne clenches her fists.
“Gisela had her heart set on you,” Nenet says.
“She never loved me,” Ariadne scoffs. “She was only ever interested in my name.”
“That is true enough,” Nenet admits, “but her pride was hurt regardless.”
“Forgive my apathy,” Ariadne says dryly. “I never once promised her any commitment. I’m frankly relieved to be free of her infatuation.”
I do not think it wise to-
Iona, please, I cannot manage two conversations at once.
“Do not pretend to be unfamiliar with the pain of unrequited affection,” Nenet says. “We haven’t forgotten your forlorn looks whenever Euphemia entered a room.”
Ariadne’s jaw ticks. “I do not know what you mean.”
“You beseeched Gisela and I to distract you the night of Euphemia’s wedding, and we rose to the occasion, but we both knew who you were trying to forget,” Nenet says.
I do not wish to hear any more, Iona complains.
You are not required to. Ariadne hopes she will leave her mind. She doesn’t want Iona to hear this either.
“As I’ve told you before, my arrangement with Euphemia was entirely platonic,” Ariadne says, a partial truth, truer now than it was then. “Do not dare to insinuate otherwise in Iona’s presence, or Euphemia’s for that matter. I will not have the past drudged up again.”
Won’t you come to me now? Iona asks.
For heaven’s sake! Ariadne snaps. Why? What is so pressing?
Can’t you see?
Ariadne looks through Iona’s eyes and, in an instant, her mind empties. Iona has stripped naked and positioned herself in front of a mirror, kneeling with her legs spread wide to give Ariadne a devastating view of her full reflection, every curve and freckle on display.
“I should find Iona,” Ariadne says.
“Very well.” Nenet’s lips thin with displeasure.
Ariadne goes to leave, then hesitates.
“I never intended to cause Gisela any pain,” she says for good measure. “I hope she will attend the equinox ritual so we might resolve our differences and move forward, but she owes Iona a sincere apology for the things she said in the student’s parlor. Do not think I’ve forgotten it.”
Nenet nods slowly, then waves her off. “Many blessings.”
“Many blessings,” Ariadne says then walks away. Where are you?
The spare room. Second door on the left.
The moment Ariadne is alone in the hallway, her knees grow weak as she bites back a moan. Luckily there is no one there to hear her.
Iona, Ariadne chuckles darkly.
You took far too long. Iona’s finger slips through her folds as she plays with herself.
At least let me climb the stairs before you- Ariadne lets out a frustrated sigh as Iona strokes faster.
Come, Iona commands.