Chapter 63
Rhyel's kiss was seared in Aneera's mind.
Emblazoned on her brain like a never ending reel.
And she couldn't stop thinking about it.
Not when Zehev consoled her after losing the tournament. Not when Lord Rivo reprimanded her for attacking Sana or when her wife-kin defended her.
Her heart fluttered as Rhyel swept around the dance floor with Sana in an effortless waltz. Gazing at her sister as if she was the only one in his world.
She wanted someone to look at her like that and kiss her the way Rhyel kissed Sana.
Tingles raced down her spine as her mind clouded with the memory of their sensual embrace, imagining it was her in Rhyel's arms and not her worthless sister.
His tall, muscular body holding Sana in his sinewy arms stirred something in her soul.
Something more than lust or envy.
She wanted to take him like he belonged to her and no one else.
Aneera drank from her glass of wine as she ogled Rhyel's impeccable suit, hugging the rippling muscles she imagined lay beneath his clothes, waiting for her to touch and caress them.
Gods, she wanted him. She wanted everything he could give her.
The jewels, wealth and power he would shower upon her.
She didn't care that he was seen as a barbarian. That reputation was slowly changing among the nobles and she wanted—no.
She needed him.
"Aneera, my darling," Zehev said, sliding his hand over her knee. "Would you like to join me for a dance?"
She never imagined this would happen, but for the first time, Zehev's touch truly repulsed her.
Aneera forced a smile on her face and nodded as she thread her fingers through his. "I would."
At least this would give her a chance to be nearer to Rhyel instead of sitting so far away from him watching him pay too much attention to Sana.
But once she exposed her sister for the monster she was, she would graciously offer to take Sana's place as Lady of House Darcanos to keep the Lightbourne-Darcanos alliance intact.
Zehev would find another wife with potent abilities to sustain his odd affliction and she would live happily ever after being deliciously rich and loved by a Lord who only wanted her.
Aneera excused herself from Zehev once Rhyel and Sana vacated the dance floor and found Lyra and Kai on the terrace speaking with a few nobles they knew from the smaller southern House of Firros.
"Sorry to interrupt, but could I steal Kai and Lyra from you?"
"Lady Aneera, of course." The young gentleman with striking blonde hair smiled, bowing his head. "I've been meaning to say congratulations on your betrothal to Lord Zehev."
"Oh, thank you," she said, smiling. "I appreciate that, Lord Armand and it's good to see you representing your House in the festive season."
"Yes, it's nice to be here. I didn't realize how exciting these gatherings can be," Armand said, shaking his head as his gray eyes dazzled with glee.
"I had no idea Lady Sana and Lord Rhyel were so.
..into each other. You did well brokering that alliance with House Darcanos through your sister.
It seems they're an excellent match for each other. "
An excellent match?
Aneera fought the urge to laugh at that. She would make a better match for Lord Rhyel. She had beauty that far surpassed Sana's, gifts that Sana could never dream of having, and she was raised to be a Lady worthy of standing beside Rhyel—unlike Sana—who was raised to be a dirty peasant.
"Yes it would seem Lord Rhyel likes his women giftless," Kai said, laughing. "I don't understand that, but it works well for my House."
Well. She would certainly change Rhyel's taste in women once she could get her talons in him.
Armand chuckled. "I don't think any of us understand it, but House Darcanos has always had weird traditions. Personally, I wouldn't want to live among the creatures in the north." He shuddered. "Those are some strange lands."
Aneera rolled her eyes. "I'm sure it's not that bad if Sana can handle it," she said, tugging on her brother's sleeve and grasping Lyra's hand. "Can I speak to you both in private, now?"
"Yes, yes. Of course, Aneera," Kai said, shaking her hand from his sleeve before clasping it over Armand's shoulder. "I'll catch up with you later and we can talk about the plans you have for Firros."
"Thank you." Armand bowed his head. "I'm looking forward to it."
Aneera led her brother and sister to the edge of the terrace away from the chatter spilling out of the great hall.
"Alright, Aneera," Kai said, leaning against the railing. "What do you need to speak to us about so desperately?"
She squeezed her hands together and sighed. "I'm... I'm not happy, Kai."
"What do you mean?" he said, grasping her shoulders with his violet eyes dripping in concern. "Has Zehev done something to you because you lost today?"
"No, no." Aneera shook her head. "But I don't want to be with him anymore. I don't want this marriage because I-I've fallen for someone else."
"Oh Gods," Lyra said, sliding a hand over her face. "Please tell me you're not referring to Lord Rhyel?"
"What?" Kai laughed. "You're not serious."
Aneera hung her head. "It's true," she said, rubbing a hand over her heart. "I don't know what this feeling is, but I-I need him and I need your help."
"No." Kai scoffed, shaking his head as he took a step back from her. "Absolutely not, Aneera."
"But why?" she said, looking up at him with tears pricking the corners of her eyes. "He should be mine." She whined, clenching her hands into her skirts. "You made a mistake when you and father arranged our marriages."
"We didn't make any mistakes." Kai snapped.
"You, Lyra and Sana are betrothed exactly how you should be to benefit our House," he said as his eyes darkened.
"And further more." He gripped his hand on the railing, cracking the stone.
"Didn't Dante tell you that your marriage would be one of glory as long as you don't interfere with Sana's life with Rhyel? "
"Aneera." Lyra gasped with her eyes wide. "Is that true?"
"Yes, but—"
"No, buts. No, nothing, Aneera." Kai seethed.
"You are to leave Sana and Rhyel alone. I don't care what kind of feelings you think you have," he said, grabbing her chin as fire swirled behind his darkened eyes.
"You are going to marry Zehev and you are going to bring glory to House Lightbourne and House Issian.
" His grip tightened around her chin as she winced. "Do you understand me?"
"Y-yes, Kai," she whispered. "I understand."
"Good," he said, releasing her. "Now, I don't want to hear anymore about this ridiculous notion of yours." He straightened his golden cravat and smoothed a hand over his waistcoat. "I'm going back inside."
Aneera curled her hands into fists as her brother waved to Armand and disappeared with him into the great hall.
Just because he told her not to feel anything didn't mean her feelings would just...go away.
And did it really matter what Dante said? What could possibly happen if she took Rhyel from Sana?
So, her marriage to Zehev wouldn't bring glory or whatever—what did that matter if she wasn't happy?
"I know that look, Aneera," Lyra said, sliding her hands to her shoulders. "And you need to stop."
"Stop, what? I'm not doing anything." Aneera huffed, shrugging away from her sister. "I can't help the way I feel, but I'm going to do as Kai says because apparently my happiness doesn't matter."
"Oh, come on," Lyra scoffed, sliding her hands to her hips.
"You've barely spoken a word to Lord Rhyel and every Lady, and probably a few Lords, were moved by that kiss.
What you're feeling is fleeting and if Dante told you to leave Sana alone, then you need to do so.
He doesn't give advice like that for no reason. "
"I know, but this...this feeling doesn't feel fleeting," Aneera said, rubbing a hand over her heart. "It's not a simple crush, Lyra. I...I need him."
Lyra heaved a heavy sigh. "Aneera, let it go," she said.
"You don't need Lord Rhyel." She placed her hands on her shoulders again.
"What you need is to embrace the amazing life you've been given.
Lord Zehev and your wife-kin adore you. Father and Kai wouldn't have made this arrangement if it wasn't what was best for you.
Don't ruin it over a man you barely know because you think Sana is doing better than you because she's not. "
Aneera frowned. "What do you mean? Of course she's doing better than me. She's the Lady of Darcanos, owner of all the jewels and gems that land has to offer and she has Rhyel to dote on her like she's some sort of queen."
"Yes, that's true," Lyra said, nodding. "But she also has to live among monsters and train like a warrior to officially become the Lady of Darcanos. Do you really want to do that?"
"No." Aneera raised an eyebrow. "But who told you that?"
"Galia and Nori." Lyra laughed. "Their mother used to be the General of Darcanos and she told them how Lord Rhyel's mother had to train to beat her in combat before she could truly take her place as the House's Lady," she said, shaking her head.
"Sana may look happy with Rhyel, but she has to work hard, like a common peasant, to receive his affection. "
A devilish smile spread over Aneera's lips. "Oh, I had no idea," she said, laughing. "I suppose father and Kai did choose correctly for us."
"Yes, you see," Lyra said, squeezing her shoulders. "That's not the life you want. Leave all that grueling work to Sana. It's what she deserves."
"Mm, too right," Aneera said, hugging her sister. "Thank you. I feel a little better now."
"Good," Lyra said, hugging her tight. "Now, can we finally enjoy spending time together without you moaning about Sana?"
"Yes, of course." Aneera giggled. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Lyra said, leaning away from her. "I'm just glad you're going to let it go."
"Yes, I just needed to hear some wisdom from my little sister," Aneera said, slipping her arm through Lyra's. "You've always been my rock when I need you."
"And I always will be."
Maybe Lyra was right. Maybe her feelings were a momentary lapse in judgment because there was no way she'd ever want to endure training like a warrior—ew. She abhorred getting dirty, sweaty and doing any sort of laborious work. Sana could have all of that.
And she'd probably never truly become Lady of Darcanos. Not with her lack of gifts and abilities.
A grin curled over Aneera's lips as she and Lyra walked along the terrace to the doors of the great hall.
Sana was most definitely going to end up on the streets with her gorgeous jewels snatched from her for being a useless scrap.
Her heart thumped as Rhyel and Sana emerged from the ballroom and his seductive blue eyes fell on her before pulling Sana close.
A simmering flame rose up from her belly and tingles swept down her spine as Rhyel whispered something in Sana's ear and whisked her away from the gathering crowd around them.
Aneera's heart churned and ached for him to glance at her again. Her fleeting feelings rose to the surface again and something deep within her wanted more than anything to rip Sana from his arms and take her place.
She would have him.
She didn't care what Dante told her or what her brother wanted from her marriage to Zehev.
Someway, somehow, she would make Rhyel hers.
A/N: Honestly, at this point, go fuck up your life Aneera.
Your sister told you and your brother told you to stop messing around with Sana and Rhyel!
I'm actually glad Kai didn't fold or give in to her whining AND reminded her ass that Dante said to leave them be!
So, I'm just gonna grab my popcorn and watch this mess unfold ?? ??