Page 57 of Heart of the Villain

He did after a single sweep of Marlena’s gaze.

Eyes of the entire room landed on Marlena. Hushed murmurs breaking out among the guests were heard even over the sound of the band’s music.

A nobleman ascended the stairs, holding his arm out for Marlena to grab. She raked her gaze from his crooked elbow to his silver eyes. If it weren’t for his dignity, Marlena was sure he’d be drooling.

She turned her head away from him and took the first step down the stairs by herself.

The last thing she needed was a man to step in where he didn’t belong.

Once she reached the bottom of the stairs below, a servant with a tray of sparkling wine offered a glass to her. Marlena grabbed the stem between her fingers delicately and took a sip. As soon as the glass fell from her lips, her mother was at her side.

“Marlena, dear, you look lovely.”

Marlena’s eyebrows rose, a questioning look occupying her face as if to ask Ryanna, What the fuck?

Before she had the time to speak those exact words, her father popped in beside her. “We have been waiting for you.” He eyed Ivelle taking her place behind Marlena’s right shoulder. “There are a few people who’d like to meet the both of you.”

Marlena and Ivelle shared a knowing look.

Had Marlena finally gotten her point across? A shame. It was too late for apologies.

The girls were swept away and into conversation by powerful families lucky enough to get an invite to her parents’ famous Saturnalia ball.

It was clear where most of these people’s alliances would stay when the time came, so she didn’t bother remembering their names.

“Excuse me, I hate to interrupt, but I need to steal some of her attention for a moment.” Vega’s voice cut in before her hand slid into Marlena’s, tugging her away from the group she’d gotten roped into talking about her plans for Amora with. Fake plans. Lies.

“Vega.” Marlena tried to protest, but her little sister wasn’t having it.

She yanked Marlena into a corner, turning around to finally look at her. “Where have you been?”

Shock ran through her body, the feeling of watching herself as an outsider rattling her enough to take a step back and look at Vega from the floor up like this moment wasn’t real, like Vega was going to disappear before her eyes and this was all going to be a dream. “What?”

Vega’s eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. “Mar, you attacked our parents, almost killed a guard, and then you went silent for an entire week. Now you’re here, letting them parade you around like a proud show pony as if none of it happened.”

Marlena didn’t worry about hiding her eye roll. “‘Attacked’ is not the word you’re looking for. I defended myself when our mother slapped me across the face. And that guard, well, he had that coming.”

“She what?” Vega’s eyes landed on their mother across the room, who averted her gaze from the two of them when she was caught staring. “What did you say that made her slap you?”

Marlena’s teeth ground together so hard her cheeks vibrated. “What makes you think it was my fault?”

“Mom wouldn’t⁠—”

“I’m going to stop you.” Marlena held her hand out. “This is one of those moments where you need to mind your business. What happens between Curia members, and what I do as punishment to a guard who deserved a little reminder of who I am, is no matter to you. You don’t get to insert yourself into anything you want anymore. You have to learn when to butt out.”

Vega’s jaw dropped, and her attitude that rivaled Marlena’s growing rage spiked. “What is wrong with you? Why are you being so mean?”

“Mean?” Marlena wanted to raise her voice, to cause a scene, but this wasn’t the time or place. Her allies were in the midst, mingling with the partygoers, putting feelers out for who might be useful at the turn of a new rule. Marlena took a breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Vega, stop worrying about things you can’t control. About things that don’t⁠—”

“I’m worried about you! I don’t care about the rest of it!” she screamed, cutting Marlena off.

So much for not drawing attention.

Marlena looked over her shoulder, noticing the eyes starting to flick to the two fighting sisters in the corner. She had to shut this down. Drawing a breath, Marlena looked back to Vega. “Oh, so now you’ve decided to worry about me? After nearly two decades, perfect little Vega has realized it’s time to pay attention to what’s going on behind closed doors?” Marlena had a slow smile spread across her lips. “It’s too late for that. I need you to go back to what you were before. Clueless.”

Vega would understand soon enough why Marlena was acting this way… why she needed to start pulling back and put some distance in between herself and the rest of their friends.

“Fuck you, Marlena.” Tears welled in Vega’s eyes, but she kept her head held high when she stormed away, not allowing Marlena to respond.