Chapter 71
Aneera was so happy to be home.
She hugged her father tighter than usual and wished she could tell him that Zehev was keeping her prisoner for her misdeeds, but Zehev kept a close eye on her, never letting her have a moment of privacy with her father or her siblings.
But every time she tried, he or her wife-kin were always there to interfere and ruin her chances of escaping her torment.
Adding to her misery, Kieka made a surprise arrival at her family's estate much to the excitement of Zehev and her wife-kin, but she was less than enthused to see her.
Outwardly, no one would've guessed Kieka was angry with her, she greeted her with a hug and a kiss, but behind closed doors Aneera was reminded of her servitude to Zehev and Kieka.
And now, on their outing to Luath, Aneera walked alone behind Marceline and Amorette like the secondary wife she'd been relegated to while Kieka took her place beside Zehev as his main wife.
"I don't know what you're pouting for," Marceline said, glancing over her shoulder. "You did this to yourself."
"The only reason you're allowed to be seen with us is because we're in your hometown." Amorette scoffed. "And Zevi is too nice to embarrass you in front of your family."
"Ladies," Kieka said, looking back at them with a stern look in her deep brown eyes. "That's enough. I haven't seen you in a few weeks and I don't want to hear you bickering for the rest of our time during the festive season."
"Of course, Kieka." They bowed their heads.
"Besides," Kieka grinned, smoothing a hand over her black hair braided in a crown around her head. "You'll have plenty of time to do and say what you wish when we're home."
Zehev chuckled. "Don't entice them, Kiki," he said, brushing a kiss against her golden brown face. "We don't want to scare Aneera too much."
"No, I suppose not," Kieka said as a sinister smile curled over her plum lacquered lips. "Well, look who it is? I wasn't aware of your sister's beauty, Aneera. No wonder Lord Rhyel was so adamant to disprove your claims of his infidelity. She is quite marvelous."
Aneera followed Kieka's gaze across the bustling street full of merchants and eateries.
Her heart thumped and clenched at Sana draped in a flowing lavender dress.
Her skin was glowing under the warm sun and her hair was glossy and vibrant like a flowing river of fire.
There was something different about the way she held herself and walked with grace beside Lady Inés and her peasant friend, Uma.
"Oh, Kieka, she is marvelous," Amorette said, taking Marceline's hand. "And if you wouldn't mind, me and Marceline would like to apologize to her."
Zehev frowned, turning to them. "Whatever for, my darlings? You did nothing wrong."
Amorette hung her head. "We said terrible things about her that weren't true."
"Yes." Marceline nodded. "And we'd like to apologize for the things we said about Lord Rhyel too."
Aneera grit her teeth, clenching her fingers into her crimson skirts.
Why did Sana have to look so perfect and happy? She wasn't meant to have a better life than her. It was so unfair.
"Mm, I think that's fair," Kieka said with amusement dripping in her voice. "And while you're at it, you can introduce me to her."
Aneera's heart clenched. She didn't want to be around Sana while they all pandered to her and showered her with praise. She certainly wasn't going to apologize for what she did because she wasn't sorry.
Lord Rhyel may not want her, but that didn't mean she cared if Sana was hurt by her deceit.
"Forgive me, Lady Kieka, but I think my presence will ruin your introduction to Lady Sana," Aneera said, bowing her head. "It might be best if I don't greet her with you."
"Mm, you're right," Kieka said, nodding to the servants behind her. "Which is why you'll stand away from us, so you won't upset Lady Sana."
Aneera gasped as a crimson headdress was draped over her head, covering her face like a common peasant of House Issian.
"Come along, my lovelies," Kieka said, slipping her arm through Zehev's. "I'd like to meet the future Lady of House Darcanos."
Amorette and Marceline giggled, following behind Zehev and Kieka while Aneera was hidden from view as she joined the small group of servants keeping a wide breadth between them.
Looking around at the people bustling to and fro from the street vendors and shops, fearing to see anyone she knew. Aneera was utterly embarrassed to be stripped of her status in plain view.
She almost hoped someone from her family saw this display, but she'd have no luck with that since they were all too busy at home preparing for Lyra's impending nuptials.
"Lady Inés, Lady Sana, it's so wonderful to see you here," Zehev greeted, giving the women a polite bow of his head. "I hope you don't mind us approaching you, but my wife Lady Kieka wanted to meet you and Amorette and Marceline wish to have a word with you, Lady Sana."
"Lord Zehev, it's good to see you," Lady Inés said, giving him a curt nod of her head wrapped in a bejeweled scarf of bright teals and gold. "Sana and I don't mind, do we, my dear?"
"No, of course not." Sana smiled. "It's lovely to meet you, Lady Kieka. Lord Zehev and your wife-kin have been so kind to me."
Aneera's blood boiled at her glittering chains of gold swept across her forehead and tucked into her vibrant locks as if she were some sort of effortless goddess.
"Oh, my you are as lovely as I've heard," Kieka said, gesturing to Zehev, Amorette and Marceline. "But I do believe these three have something they wish to say to you."
"Ah, yes." Zehev chuckled. "We haven't had the chance to apologize for that... mishap in Asterfall."
Sana's eyes grew wide as she waved them away. "There's no need for that. I know it was a misunderstanding and I hold no grudges against you for what my sister did."
"What are you talking about, dear?" Lady Inés said, wrapping her arm around Sana like some sort of doting mother. "What happened?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I'll explain later," Sana said, shaking her head. "But I'm fine and I appreciate your apology."
"Thank you, Lady Sana." Zehev bowed his head. "That's very kind of you."
"Lady Sana, would you consider an apology from us too?" Amorette said, looking at Marceline. "We weren't so kind about you and Lord Rhyel behind your backs. We were told some ill-informed things about you."
"And we believed it without getting to know the kind woman you are," Marceline said, bowing her head. "We're so sorry."
A soft laugh left Sana's lips as she shook her head.
"Lady Amorette, Lady Marceline, I have to admit I wasn't expecting this from you being so close to my sister, but thank you and I do accept," she said, stepping forward to take their hands.
"You only knew what you've been told about me, but I'm glad you think differently now. "
Aneera's jaw went slack. Who was this Sana? She wasn't the type of person to have the courage to forgive them without stuttering or tears rolling down her face.
Trailing her eyes over her sister as if she could see the change in her. She stood a little taller and never bowed her head once to any of them.
"Well, Lady Sana, we won't keep you from enjoying your outing today, but it was so lovely to meet you," Kieka said, giving her a slight bow of her head. "I hope we get to talk more at the wedding tomorrow."
"I'm sure we will," Sana said, returning the bow. "Enjoy the rest of your outing as well." Her gaze flicked to Aneera as if she could tell it was her beneath her shrouded face. "And Lord Zehev, I hope you took what I said to heart. Your House deserves much better."
Zehev grinned as he nodded. "I have, my Lady and I thank you for your honesty," he said, taking her hand. "I also hope you'll still consider a closer relationship with our two Houses despite what has transpired."
"We'll see, Lord Zehev," she said, slipping her hand from his. "I haven't forgotten my promise to discuss it after the festive season."
"I'm looking forward to it," he said, bowing. "Lady Inés it was lovely to see you again and congratulations on Lord Troya's wedding."
"Thank you very much." Lady Inés beamed. "Tomorrow is going to be a glorious celebration."
"Oh, it certainly will be," Kieka said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to it."
Aneera sneered at the back of Sana's as she walked away arm in arm with Lady Inés and Uma, smiling and chatting while they met up with General Zena and her maids.
It burned her so deep that her plans to steal Lord Rhyel from her didn't work and everyone treated Sana like she was someone of noble upbringing instead of the peasant she was.
Gripping her skirts, Aneera grinded her teeth. She should've carried on with her plan to oust Sana as the monster she knew lived inside of her.
But no, she was blindsided by the yearning she still couldn't shake for Lord Rhyel. Even after he humiliated her in front of Zehev and her wife-kin, she still wanted him.
She should be the one he wanted to shower with his power and wealth. The one who owned all the gems and jewels of the north. That was the life she was meant to have.
"Lady Sana is quite marvelous as you said, my dears," Kieka said, waving her silk fan over her face. "She would've made a lovely wife for you, too."
"She is lovely, but no." Zehev laughed, shaking his head. "Lady Sana is very much meant for Lord Rhyel, isn't that right, my darlings?"
"Oh yes," Marceline said as they strolled along the street without a care that Aneera was still cloaked as one of their servants. "You should've seen them in Grensea. They are very much in love."
"Yes, very much so." Amorette giggled. "And I don't think Lord Rhyel's head could ever be turned away from her."
"Is that so?" Kieka said, glancing back at Aneera. "Then tomorrow should be quite revealing, indeed."
"What do you mean by that?" Marceline said, stopping to fondle a piece of glittering fabric on a market stall.
"Oh, nothing. I'm just intrigued that the barbaric Lord of the north is in love," Kieka said, holding up the deep blue fabric against Marceline. "This will look gorgeous on you. Shall we get it?"
Marceline nodded. "If you think it suits me, yes."
Kieka smiled, sliding her hand to Marceline's cheek. "Of course I do. You look good in anything, but this color brings out your beautiful eyes."
"Thank you, Kieka," Marceline said, blushing. "You're so much better at shopping than Zevi."
"Marcie, I'm offended," Zehev gasped, pressing a hand over his heart. "Don't I always compliment you on anything you buy?"
"Yes, but you don't tell me why it's good for me," she said, rolling her eyes. "You just smile and nod. Kieka makes me feel like it's made for me."
Amorette pouted. "It's true, Zevi."
"Oh, my darlings. I had no idea," he said, taking their hands and pressing kisses upon their palms. "I'm so sorry. I promise to do better for you."
Kieka laughed. "And I'll ensure that he does," she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Now, Amorette, would you like some new fabrics too? I'm sure we can have them fashioned into something lovely before tonight's dinner."
Aneera was fuming while Kieka and Zehev doted on Marceline and Amorette. It was as if they'd all but forgotten about her. She was still one of their wife-kin and it would look strange if she was the only one without a new dress for the dinner this evening.
But maybe that would work in her favor. Maybe that would get her family to see that she wasn't being treated like the favored wife they believed.
And she was curious about what Kieka said.
What would be so revealing about Sana and Lord Rhyel tomorrow? Besides the fact that Sana would be rubbing it in her face that Rhyel was hers and no one else's.
Oh, how she wished she could ruin her sister in front of everyone. She wanted to beat her down and force her back into peasantry like she deserved. She was the reason Rhyel couldn't see her for what she was.
And she wanted to rip her undeserving title from her and tear those beautiful clothes from her body.
Aneera gasped as Kieka lifted the headdress from her face and a sinister smile splayed across her lips. She tensed as Kieka leaned into her ear. "You will get everything you desire," she whispered, pressing a kiss against her head. "As long as you do exactly as you're told."
Leaning away from her, Kieka gestured to the table. "Pick out something you like. You're still our wife-kin after all."
"Thank you, my Lady," Aneera said, bowing her head as she walked up to the stall to choose her new fabrics, but it unnerved her what Kieka said. What did she mean that she'd get everything she desired? What did she want her to do?