Page 24 of Heart of the Villain

Marlena weighed her options. And the choice was easy. “You have yourself a deal.” It wasn’t a promise of love—love that Marlena had once craved. It was a promise of power, and power would get her farther than love. She stepped back, putting space back between them. “You’re cordially invited to my parents’ Saturnalia celebration. Bring your allies and your son.”

Her heels matched the rhythm of her walk again as she strode for the door, her back to the commander. “If you don’t show, I’ll take that as your refusal to accept my offer, Lucius.” The door opened on her gust of wind, the guards standing wide-eyed outside the door when it slammed open. “And I won’t hesitate to do this without you. I’ll go to your allies next.” Marlena glanced over her shoulder before she left. “And I doubt they’ll want as much in return for a taste of the power I’m offering.” She winked and strutted her way out through the foyer, never looking back again.

I am about to become my parents’ worst nightmare, and it’s exactly who they raised me to be.

Recovered from the notebook

of Marlena Caelum:

Nineteen Years Old

It would never make sense to Marlena how she and Vega had such different beliefs. How had their parents managed to remind Marlena that their lineage was better than the rest, while simultaneously letting Vega form relationships with the help?

All of Tolevarre was born from the blood of the original gods, and some might argue they were all descendants, but it had been so long since then. The people who were from non-original bloodlines were so watered down now, Marlena believed they were hardly demigods at all. And others believed this too—her parents had reminded her to not act like a “commoner” all her life.

They are less than us. Her conversation with Vega replayed in her mind as a servant pinned her hair on top of her head.

Marlena’s words were precisely the reason why they weren’t getting ready together for tonight’s Saturnalia ball like they always did. Arguing with Vega hadn’t been tonight’s plan.

But when that fucking deer shifter—what was her name? Delis?—knocked Vega down, something inside Marlena made her want to⁠—

“Miss Marlena, we have your dress ready,” her personal maid commented from behind the doorway to her dressing room, interrupting Marlena’s violent spiral of thoughts.

She nodded at the same time a knock on her door sounded, and moments later her mother stepped through. “Oh, you’re not dressed.”

Marlena stood, taking a long, controlled breath through her nose and out her mouth. “I was just getting ready to step into the dress, Mother.”

“Do you have an attitude already?” Ryanna asked, clasping her hands together after closing the bedroom door behind her.

She hadn’t even had time to allow her servant to put the finishing touches on her makeup. The rosy blush was waiting on the table. “Of course not,” Marlena pushed through gritted teeth.

Ryanna shooed the room attendants away with the flick of her wrist. It was the only dismissal either of the women would get.

They scattered quickly, and Marlena didn’t bid them goodbye—she didn’t take her eyes off her mother, who floated on light feet to the table where the blush sat.

“Commander Dimico and his family are here.” Ryanna tapped her middle finger into the cream blush, stepping in front of Marlena. She gripped her chin, positioning her face before tapping the makeup onto the apples of Marlena’s cheeks. Ryanna twisted Marlena’s head from side to side until she was satisfied with the new color she’d brought to her daughter’s face.

The words sent a chill down Marlena’s spine, but she held her composure, waiting until her mother released her from her clutches. “Oh?”

He’s accepting my alliance.

“The son,” Ryanna started, disappearing into the dressing room to come out with the prettiest pink dress that made Marlena feel like she was ten again, “is interested in meeting you.”

Marlena couldn’t peel her eyes off the dress. “Mother, is it not time for a more age-appropriate look?”

Ryanna sighed. “Are you even listening to me?”

“How can I when that dress is so loud?” Marlena finally looked away from the garb, meeting her mother’s stone gaze.

“It’s a beautiful dress, Marlena.” The pink was the color of the butchered pig they’d be feasting on at tonight’s dinner. An assortment of different colored daisies rained down until they met in a pool of flowers around the bottom.

Marlena’s eyebrow rose. “For a child, not the future leader of two territories.” It was like her mother’s goal was to ensure the people she would rule over and beside never took her seriously.

Actually, that was precisely what she was doing.

Ryanna huffed, throwing the dress to the floor. “I can never win with you. Have I ever done anything right in your life?”

Marlena wanted so badly to answer that question, but it was meant to bait her into an argument, and she wasn’t in the mood. “I’m not wearing it. I’ll find something else in my closet. Now let’s talk about why you’re really here.” Marlena knew her mother hadn’t come in here to help her get dressed—they had staff for that. “Bridger Dimico.” She stepped over the poofy tulle on the floor, beelining for the dressing room, where a closet full of beautiful clothing waited for her.