Page 53 of Heart of the Villain

The door to her room opened, letting in a stream of light before it disappeared. The pitter-patter of Arlet’s footsteps took up space in the quiet room, even though it was obvious she was trying to be silent as she slipped out of her shoes and crawled into bed next to Marlena.

“You’re still in your dress? Were you hoping I’d get the hint and hurry up to help you take it off like I promised?” Marlena could picture the sultry look in Arlet’s eyes.

Arlet’s hands wandered up the curve of Marlena’s body, but for the first time since they’d started sleeping together, Marlena grabbed her hand and hugged it against her chest. “Will you just lie with me?”

Arlet went still. “Mar, what’s wrong?” She settled in beside her, resting her chin on Marlena’s shoulder from behind.

For a second, Marlena let her walls come down. “What if I can’t do it? What if I’m not strong enough?”

Marlena didn’t mean ruling… She knew she could rule. It was what she was planning, what she’d been planning since she was a child, she was concerned about.

“You were born to do this.” Arlet nuzzled Marlena’s ear. “You’re going to do great things. I believe in you. I always have.”

If only she really knew who you are at your core.

“I don’t want to do this alone,” Marlena whispered.

“You don’t have to. I’m here.” Arlet pulled her arm from against Marlena’s chest and started to smooth the soft hair on her scalp.

Marlena closed her eyes, letting herself fall into Arlet’s sweet touch. “I want to tell people about us.” If they let people know they were together, then maybe Marlena could come clean about her plan. One step at a time.

There was silence for longer than Marlena hoped for when laying her heart on the line.

“We should wait until after you’re sworn in. I don’t…” There was a pause. All that could be heard was their soft breaths. “I don’t want to mess anything up for you. If your parents aren’t happy with your choice, they could take this from you.”

“They love you. You’re like a second daughter to them.” Marlena rolled over, her nose bumping Arlet’s.

“Third. A third daughter,” Arlet corrected, but Marlena didn’t have the energy to explain that she’d never been a daughter to her parents—she’d always been a means to give them the never-ending power they coveted.

Marlena could see the faint lines of her face this close, her eyes adjusting to the soft moonlight popping through the curtains. “You’re a future leader too.” She knew Arlet was right… Her parents would never approve, not when Arlet had nothing to offer. No powers, no territory.

“A future leader of what?” Arlet uttered a sad laugh. “Vates is gone… and so are its people.” Arlet brushed her hand over Marlena’s cheek. “And I’m as powerless as I’ve ever been.” Sadness laced her tone so thoroughly, Marlena felt it in her own chest. “Let’s just wait, okay? Let you settle into your role, and then we can talk about this again one day. For now, let’s just keep doing this. More of this.”

Marlena’s throat tightened. “And what is this?”

“I…” Arlet went quiet again, nibbling on her lip. “I don’t know, but we have plenty of time to figure it out.” She placed a kiss on Marlena’s lips, one unlike any of the others. “Get some sleep. We can talk about this again soon, okay?”

Marlena nodded, unsure of what else she could say.

What if I don’t need the dead gods to rule? What if I need them to fix what’s broken inside me?

Twenty-Two Years Old

Marlena woke to an empty bed… again.

After last night’s conversation with Arlet, she was on edge. So the second her mother sighed heavily about Ivelle joining them for the meeting this morning, Marlena’s anger rose, and she had nothing left in her to hide it. “You know, Mother, you once told me that sighing too often was a sign of emotional incompetence.” She and Ivelle took a seat at the end of the table, across from her parents.

“Oh, so you do listen when I speak. Fascinating.” Ryanna rested her hands on top of the table. “Which means you heard me when I told you that you wouldn’t be granted Ivelle as your second in charge.”

Jonan sat quietly, as he usually did when his wife was going rounds with his eldest daughter.

“With all due respect, you don’t get to pick who Marlena’s second is. Her choice is implemented after she’s sworn in, which means you then have no control over Amora or what happens there.” Ivelle’s attitude had changed since Marlena promised her what she wanted—power—but the fierceness behind Ivelle’s eyes had always been there… and now it was clearer than ever. “And you’re the ones who wanted me to learn from Marlena in the first place.”

Marlena and Ivelle weren’t friends, but they were on mutual ground. Ivelle knew she’d never get anywhere without Marlena paving the way, and Marlena knew it would be easier to have someone around to do her dirty work.

“Ivelle, shut up.” Jonan spoke, finally interjecting in the women’s little spat.

Marlena glared at her father, nails digging into the oak table. “No, we’re not doing that. I am two weeks away from ruling part of our realm, and I can make it very easy or very hard for the both of you.”