Page 52 of Heart of the Villain

If I had fallen for Arlet sooner, could she have been able to save me?

“Mom and Dad had to go to Pax for something last minute, and they won’t make it back. They said to give you a hug from them.” Vega pulled Marlena into a tight squeeze, one that her parents had never, and would never, give her. “Happy birthday,” Vega said, showing no sign of resentment from their recent fight.

It was custom for their family to get together with their closest friends for every birthday, and while she didn’t particularly care if her parents were here or not, it just went to show how little she meant to them—even after all this time, after all the work she’d done to be exactly what they’d wanted her to be.

They would be celebrating Saturnalia next week, officially marking two weeks until Marlena was to take over Amora.

Two weeks until Marlena stabbed her parents in the back and took everything they’d ever loved from them.

The details were in place. Everyone knew when and where to attack. They all knew their jobs and the roles they would play… It was Marlena who had started to question herself.

How would she tell her sister? How would she convince Arlet what she was doing would be better for their world in the end? Would they be better off not knowing until the job was done? What if Marlena wasn’t strong enough, hadn’t planned everything well enough?

What if I am the incompetent fool my parents think?

“Marlena.”

Her head jerked from the spot she’d been staring, and she blinked to come back to reality.

“You good?” Vega asked with her eyebrows scrunched together.

“Mm-hmm. Yes, of course. I just…” Marlena bit her lip. “Remember when we went to Littera and got those books about summoning gods?”

Vega blew a laugh from her nose. “Yeah, I think I still have one tucked under my bed somewhere.” Her smile faded a bit. “I can’t believe we ever even entertained the idea of doing something like that. It’s a fucking suicide mission.”

And that was the end of that conversation. For now.

Vega nodded towards the dining room where everyone had been called for dinner. “C’mon, let’s go celebrate the twenty-two-year-old you, the almost-leader of Amora.”

Dinner went by without a hitch. Khort’s parents had shown up, gifting Marlena a sweet snowflake necklace she would never fucking wear.

Ivelle and Khort disappeared sometime before dessert was served after making eyes at each other all night. Ivelle had been keeping Khort expertly preoccupied, so much so, Marlena wondered if her feelings were starting to become genuine.

Arlet and Vega lounged in the sitting room with Bridger, who poured everyone a glass of wine, offering one to Marlena when she walked in.

Her mind raced with thoughts tonight, and no matter how many glasses of wine she put down, Marlena couldn’t get them to stop. The voice in her head was looming in the back too, waiting to strike when her walls were down. “I think I’m going to go to bed. I’m supposed to have a meeting in the morning with our parents. Best I be bright and chipper for that.”

Arlet narrowed her eyes, catching the shift in Marlena’s mood.

Vega groaned. “You’re no fun anymore. What happened to you?” It was a joke, but Marlena winced slightly at the question.

“I’ve never been as fun as you, dear sister. I was raised to rule, not throw lavish parties.” Marlena leaned between Arlet and Vega, popping a kiss to her sister’s cheek. “Thanks for tonight.”

Marlena ran a friendly hand over Arlet’s shoulder, ignoring the heat sliding up it. “Goodnight.” She turned to nod a goodbye to Bridger, who watched her with dark eyes. “Make sure these two drink some water before bed, okay?”

She didn’t wait to hear if he responded before walking up the stairs on silent feet. Marlena slipped into one of the many guest suites in the west wing of the Aeris home, and without taking her dress off, she fell into bed and curled up under the plush covers.

Something had hit her tonight, a feeling she wasn’t sure she could find a name for. But her mind kept wandering to all she had planned and of all she might lose if she went through with it.

That little voice woke up, reminding her of everything she didn’t have.

Your parents don’t love you.

Your sister will never choose you when this all goes up in flames.

The woman you’re in love with will never be who you want her to be.

No one trusts you.