Page 49 of Heart of the Villain

Vega moved with a quickness Marlena hadn’t been expecting, twisting herself on top of her, forearm pressing against her collarbone. “Oh yeah? Who’s confident now?” she jeered, moving her hands to hold Marlena by her wrists.

Marlena bucked her hips, but Vega held strong, pinning her down in all the places she should be able to use to overpower her. Marlena was bigger than Vega, in height and weight, but Vega was smart… knew what to do to have the advantage in a fight.

Marlena screeched with anger, annoyed that she’d let her sister pin her. But she wouldn’t lose; she couldn’t. As a last-ditch effort, Marlena pushed her head into the back of the mat and reared as far forward as she could.

Her skull cracked against Vega’s and stars exploded in her vision, but when Vega’s grip loosened, Marlena fought against the pain in her head. She wrapped one of her legs that had been pinned under Vega’s knees around her, using her weight to flip positions. Marlena held her down, but what Vega hadn’t noticed was the dagger missing from her side.

Marlena pressed it against her throat, signaling the end of the match… but she wasn’t done. “You can’t be mad at me forever,” she spat.

Vega writhed underneath Marlena, never ready to give up a fight so easily. “I’m not mad, Marlena!” she screamed. “I’m sad! I’m sad that you think what everyone else is saying is true!”

The room around them quieted, and Marlena unintentionally loosened her hold on Vega. “Vega, I⁠—”

Vega didn’t let her finish, flipping out from underneath her to stand. Marlena stayed crouched on the floor, looking up at the tears welling in Vega’s eyes. “Shut up, just shut up!” She stomped her foot like they were children again. “You can’t rule my life! You can’t tell me how I’m supposed to feel, how I’m supposed to react. This is my life, my life! Not yours.” Vega was fighting back tears, wiping at the blood drying on her face.

Marlena stood, and Vega snatched her dagger back, then slid it into the holster on her leg. “I just want to protect you, that’s all.”

“You can’t protect me from everything. I don’t want you to.” Vega’s words were soft, only loud enough for those who were closest to the ring to hear. “I want to live my own life, make my own decisions, get hurt if that’s what’s going to happen. If Bridger breaks my fucking heart, all you need to do is be there for me! Be my sister…”

Marlena bit the inside of her cheek so hard she could taste the metallic tang of her blood. “The world is changing…” She looked over her shoulder, noticing all the eyes on them. She took a step forward. “And I want you to be a part of the change. I don’t want you to get left behind, Vega.”

Vega squared her shoulders, blinking away any remnants of the sadness that had lingered in her gaze. “Have you ever thought about what I want? That maybe I just want to be left alone?” And before Marlena could respond, Vega stormed off and left her by herself in the middle of the ring.

A victor, and yet she didn’t feel like she’d won.

Bridger cleared his throat the same time the training room door slammed shut. “Marlena wins.”

Marlena scanned the room, eyes connecting with everyone who was staring at her. Some lingered, but others scurried away before she could scare them off with the anger sizzling behind her cold stare.

When Marlena’s gaze fell on Arlet, her stomach turned.

I won’t make it out with the people I thought I would… Strike first.

Twenty-Two Years Old

My birthday. The year I take over the Amora seat. The year I overthrow a thousand-year-old government.

One month… That was all that separated her from the beginning of the end.

Marlena’s eyes popped open, and the seconds turned to minutes as she lay there staring at the ceiling. Twenty-two years old, and she was still waking up alone in her large bed big enough for four grown adults.

Inhaling slowly, she sat up, taking in the bright morning light starting to peek through her curtains. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet, but the white snow littering Amora year-round always made things brighter.

Marlena stretched her arms over her head, and as she got out of her bed, a little gust of her wind opened the curtains to let the sunshine in. It wasn’t often the sun peeked through the clouds this time of year. Marlena wouldn’t waste a minute of it.

It took her eyes a few seconds to adjust to the new lighting, but when they did, Marlena stood by her window, staring blankly until a tap on the door saved her from the racing thoughts inside her head.

Ivelle peeked in. “Morning.” Marlena nodded, inviting her in without a word. Ivelle strode over to Marlena with a cup of tea in her hands, a small and genuine smile lighting up her already gorgeous face. “Happy birthday.”

Marlena looked at her cousin, unsure of the emotion welling in her chest as she reached out and grabbed the tea Ivelle offered. Steam rose from the fresh beverage, the smell of peppermint and honey waking Marlena fully.

Honey. Marlena’s thoughts instantly clouded with images of Arlet. She brought it to her lips and rested it there as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying not to lose herself in the scent.

When she opened her eyes, there was a tiny smile on her own lips. “Thank you.”

Ivelle glowed at Marlena’s admiration.

Marlena tipped the cup, finally taking a sip of the tea. Ivelle had made it perfectly. “Either you’ve been paying attention, or you’re taking credit for the help’s work.”