Page 12 of Heart of the Villain

Marlena had always known there was something else, something more. And last night they figured out exactly what it was.

They stood in the pouring rain over the roaring waters of Lake Mons, just outside their home. Marlena had pushed Vega to sneak out, to test the theory she knew deep down wasn’t just a theory—her sister was, and always would be, stronger than her physically.

Vega had gotten powers her parents reminded Marlena she didn’t have constantly. Marlena would never be good enough, never be strong enough. Invisibility wouldn’t win battles. Wind wouldn’t help her lead the people of Aeris and Amora into a new world—into the world her parents dreamed of and had been hanging over her head since before she could remember. They’d been reminding her all her life that she probably wouldn’t ever be strong enough to rule without them having to hover so she didn’t screw everything up.

Last night, after Vega stopped the storm raging over Stella, their parents and the rest of the capital city found out about the new power bubbling within the leaders’ youngest daughter.

This morning, a mandatory Curia meeting had been called with all the current leaders and their heirs—heirs including the boys from Ardor and Fortis, who had been hidden away from the rest of the Curia members’ kids all their lives.

Marlena had never met them, and frankly, couldn’t even think of their names. If she had to point them out in a lineup, she’d never know who to pick.

The boy from Ardor would take over his mother’s seat one day. The one from Fortis was rumored to be the strongest warrior their people had ever seen and would one day take over his father’s position as commander of Tolevarre’s army. If he was anything like his father, the military would continue to be more ruthless than any army in all of their world’s history.

“Marlena!” Vega shook her by the shoulders, and Marlena blinked back into reality.

“Were you saying something?” she asked, gripping the sides of the plush chair she was sitting in.

“They’re calling you in.” Vega nodded her head in the direction of their father’s voice bellowing down the decorated hall of the waiting area outside Aeris’s Curia meeting room. Pictures of past leaders and their families littered the bright walls, staring at them with beady eyes.

Marlena jumped to her feet when her snarled name echoed down to her once again, Jonan’s head popping out of the double doors. She smoothed her flowing white dress down, holding her head high as she scurried his way.

The vein in the middle of his forehead bulged. He didn’t like repeating himself.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

His dark brown hair had started to become sprinkled with grays over the last few years—it was normal since he’d started approaching 250 years old. “Obviously,” he barked under his breath. “Always stuck inside your head, never paying attention. What, are voices inside there keeping you preoccupied?” He grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her through the open doors.

If you only knew.

Marlena stumbled a couple steps, her heels clicking against the tile. She regained composure quickly, her eyes settling on the long rectangular table full of watchful eyes. Her mother sat at one of the ends, her gaze boring a hole directly through Marlena’s forehead.

Jonan’s tell was the vein above his eyebrow. Ryanna’s was the fake, chipper smile plastered on her face.

So fake.

“I apologize for keeping you all waiting,” Marlena said with the dip of her head.

She walked with poised purpose to the seat to the right of her mother. Marlena sat gracefully, folding her hands in her lap, and waited for the reason she was here to unfold.

Her eyes wandered down the table.

The Feras sat at the opposite end of the table, closest to her father. Khort’s green eyes found hers, and the look behind them made Marlena grow cold with anxiety. Khort was as close to a brother as Marlena would ever get—and one day, he and Vega would bring them even closer through marriage. It had been said since the day Vega was born—she was the only one who continued to ignore any comment made about it like it was all some funny joke.

Like she could escape what their parents had planned for her.

His eyes flicked to his hands, his fingers nervously picking at the hem of the tablecloth. His parents didn’t stop him, but Marlena wanted to slap his hand away.

Stop picking, the voice droned in the back of her mind quietly. It was too loud today, and Marlena was doing all she could to drown it out completely.

“Marlena.” Her father’s voice pulled her away from fixating on Khort’s fingers. “I’m sure you’re wondering why you didn’t get to come in with the rest of the table.”

Duh. “Yes, sir,” she said instead.

The table was clear of plates, food, and drinks. This was a meeting only—which meant the discussion had been serious.

“You and your sister sneaking out last night should be punished, but instead, it opened up to a deeper conversation about the fate of your seats in the Curia.” Her father’s words didn’t cause anyone to react, which meant they already knew what was coming.

Marlena kept her shock to herself, her fingernails digging into her thighs so hard when she glanced down, there were little crescent moon blood stains starting to form on her dress.