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It dawned on Sienna that it was Aurora’s fault that she was late for every damn breakfast that the Carringtons used as a meeting. Now she didn’t care about it, but in the past, it could’ve made a difference between her living another day or dying before she could have her coffee.
Aurora narrowed her eyes at her husband, but instead of arguing further, she inclined her head in a mock apology. Mr. Carrington bit his lip, his facial expression making it clear that his wife wasn’t off the hook just yet.
“I expect you all to treat her with more respect from now on,” her father said with a hint of warning in his voice, then added, “It will do everyone well to remember that she’s a Lockwood now.”
“Of course. I apologize, it won’t happen again,” Mr. Carrington said, then looked at Sienna. “I’m sorry, Miss Ryder. Or should I say Miss Lockwood? What is it that you prefer these days?”
Sienna bit her lip to prevent herself from replying before she could think it through. It was a dangerous question. She looked at Angel, who was staring at her with the intensity of the flaring sun. He also wanted to know the answer to it. Her father gave her an encouraging nod, while her mother offered a small smile. The bodies of the heirs at her side were stiff as wooden sticks.
“I’m a Lockwood by blood,” she announced, earning herself an approving smile from her father that almost dissuaded her from continuing. “But I’m also a Ryder and now in a way an Aghayan too.”
Angel tilted his head to the side, looking at her with interest. She held his eyes as she spoke the next words, “Angel is the true Lockwood heir. He was raised with their beliefs and values. That shouldn’t be taken away from him. I’ll be a Lockwood in everything but name. I’m keeping my old name because no matter what, I am the last Ryder. As was recently brought to my attention by the lawyers that I inherited with my Aghayan fortune, there’s a lot of business to be done, which is why I propose to work together. I’ve been raised as a Ryder, I’m a Lockwood by blood, I inherited the Aghayan legacy, but I also rose from the ashes with the help of the Carringtons. I bound myself to fight for you now and always.”
Silence set over the dining room, not even a sound of cutlery could be heard. The tension was so thick, it could be cut clean with the dullest of knives. The scrape of the chair against the floor echoed around the room, startling her, sending her racing heart into an even higher number of beats per minute that caused an ache in her chest.
Jensen stood up and looked around the room, including at his father, who stared at him with barely veiled curiosity. When he turned to Sienna, his face was solemn and determined. He gracefully slid to one knee in front of her and took her hand in his. Sienna’s eyes widened, the ringing in her ears got too loud, making it unable to think. The only coherent thought that she managed to form was the silent hope that he wasn’t about to propose because she had no idea what she’d do to climb her way out of that hole.
“Sienna Ryder,” Jensen started, his voice strong but soft. “I, Jensen Carrington, the heir of the Carrington clan, accept your offer of alliance, and in return, I promise to fight for you now and always.”
The corners of Sienna’s mouth twitched as she fought to smile in relief. She inclined her head, giving him a respectful bow. He rose and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Did you have to make such a big deal out of it?” she hissed into his ear, coaxing a low chuckle out of him.
“You’re not the only one who knows how to be dramatic,” he replied before returning to his seat.
“As a member of the Carrington clan, I’m going to do everything my leader will ask of me,” Aiden said, giving a nod in the direction of his father. “I would be happy to support you and be a part of the alliance.”
“As would I,” Jaxon said.
“And I,” Xavier agreed.
Sienna looked at her Carrington heirs, her heart filling up with love she had for them. Her cheeks flushed with heat and her eyes burned, but she didn’t care. They all knew her, and they still accepted her.
“The Carrington clan accepts your offer of alliance,” Mr. Carrington said with a firm voice.
His words brought a round of smiles around the table, most visibly seen on the faces of the Carrington heirs. They couldn’t force their father to do what they wanted, and they’d be bound to follow his decisions. The relief was clear and the future brighter than before.
Slowly, the attention shifted to the Lockwoods who hadn’t spoken yet. Patrick and Lisa exchanged looks, but judging by their expressions, Sienna wasn’t too hopeful about the outcome. There was a high possibility she burned her bridges with them.
“Father, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak first,” Angel said, looking across his mother at his father, asking for permission.
Patrick gave a barely visible nod, but the small movement was enough to encourage Angel to stand up. Even at his young age, he held himself with confidence and determination. When his eyes met Sienna’s and she tried to read his emotions, seeing his thoughts past the same green shade that marked hers, a thought occurred to her that she was in his hands now. Angel’s words had the power of burying her. She said a silent prayer that their talk made a difference.
“I wasn’t too eager when I found out I have a sister,” he said with a stern face and cold voice. “Like she said, I’m the Lockwood heir. Born and raised as one. Since I remember, I’ve been told that the Lockwood fortune is mine. So, when it came out that she’s a Lockwood, I was furious. But then I talked to her, and I saw that she’s a lot more than just a name. She’s a part of all of us in the same way as we’re a part of her. We’re all marked, but she the most of all. It’s only fair that she’s the one to decide who she wants to be, who she feels she is. If she wants the Lockwood fortune, I’ll stand aside and pledge my allegiance to her. But if she wants to be a Ryder and built on the Aghayan fortune, I’ll do everything in my power to combine our strengths and bring down our enemies. We’re a family. Now and always.”
With every word he said, his face softened, and his tone melted, turning into something warmer. For the first time in her life, Sienna had a brother, someone she knew she could count on no matter what.
“Hear, hear,” her father said in cheer, supporting his son’s claim.
“Hear, hear,” the chant had been picked up around the table, the cups lifted, and smiles exchanged. History was being made, and Sienna was in the thick of it.
When the breakfast was done, Sienna returned to her room, her good mood of her success diminished by the fact that they had no word on the Remingtons and their possible movements. It was as if they were ghosts whose presence was known but couldn’t be proven.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw another note waiting for her on the table. Secretly, she couldn’t help but hope it was from Jensen. The memory of him kneeling in front of her and pledging himself to her, binding their causes and futures was intoxicating.
A special girl and her special day. Come to me and make me the happiest man alive. I’ll be honored if you say yes. Brian knows how to bring you to me. I look forward to seeing you again.
Sienna grinned as she re-read the letter for the fifth time. Jensen had remembered her birthday. She’d never mentioned it to anyone, but he must’ve seen it in one of his carefully prepared files. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if he had one on her, quite the opposite, she’d be disappointed if he didn’t.
