*Erica's POV*
I felt Hendix's presence approach me before he could even speak.
"What are you thinking about?"he asked, caressing my cheek .
"Adriel…"his hand left my face instantly. "He was absent from today's council meeting too. Third time equals a fine, and it's least likely that he will come rushing back." I replied frankly,despite knowing I was risking Hendrix's anger by speaking of him. He didn't hate his brother; no,it was only when I spoke of him that this annoyance for him grew.
I felt his gaze on my cheek and turned to look at those intense green eyes.
"You went to visit him across the border?"he asked.
I sighed hopelessly and leaned against a wall as I pondered the question and focused my eyes back on my drink. The few members of the council who stayed for the afterparty were busy chattering with each other. The council meetings have been very 'playful' since Adriel temporarily moved across the border, all in his aim to properly court her. I knew the atmosphere would be more serious and professional if he was here. Hendrix was more of a brute than a diplomat; he is a lost cause when it comes to such things. Not like Adriel... I missed him miserably—a bit too much, if you ask me.
"Erica." Hendrix pressed.
"You don't need to play jealous." I snapped at him, and my voice quickly lowered solemnly for the raw unhappiness in my next words. "He refused to see me."
"Oh well,perhaps it's because the last time you two were alone,you desperately begged him to marry you and reconsider your ancient engagement." Hendrix said it coldly.
"Your timing with teases is disturbing." I drawled, sipping some strong wine.
Hendrix turned to fully face me. "You mistook my rage for mirth, Erica. I don't find it the least bit funny what you did."
"What is this? We spoke of this; we resolved this." I whined,a step away from losing my senses to alcohol.
"No, we did not speak of it or resolve it," he said through gritted teeth, his beautiful features turning darker by the second.
"I spoke to you about it, and you were silent and gloomy like a lost puppy in love."
My hands tightened around my glass as he spoke. I genuinely felt sorry for him,that I couldn't care about him as much as he did for me,and I felt sorry for myself because I loved Adriel instead,and he felt no such for me.
"Do you still love him?" Hendrix asked me while I was barely recovering from my daze.
"No." I replied too quickly and rolled my eyes at the question.
He stared down at me with a frown and a look of disbelief.I screwed up big this time. I screwed up so bad, and even Hendrix was doubting me. I didn't want that,no. I wanted him by my side—his trust,his love. Fuck, it's messed up in so many dimensions. I feared he could hear the lie in my voice. All I prayed for was that his love would make him blind enough to ignore it.
"I did it for us, " I whispered as the web of lies formed in my mind.
Hendrix held my arms and pulled me away to another room,a less crowded room. The art gallery of the Siren Castle. I prayed that no one noticed his display of ownership on me; or our absence. The Queen was a friend of Adriel's mother, and they were big gossips with each other. I didn't want Adriel to know about his brother and me. I had to present myself as available; whenever he was ready, I would have him. In this life or the next.
Hendrix locked the door, and his eyes flashed with anger as he turned. "How stupid do you think I am?" He raged, grabbing my neck.
"Hendrix!" I gasped.
"You begged my brother to marry you because of 'us'?!" He yelled at me with a murderous face of envy.
"Will you at least give me a chance to explain?!" I yelled back.
He released me and steadied his breathing, waiting for an excuse.
"He is obsessed with her." I started slowly rubbing my neck. "He is not forcing her; he is courting her. Do you actually believe that he is going to hold his end of the deal,that he will be willing to sacrifice her,or that you will have any say in decisions when she sits as his right hand?"
"What?" Hendrix asked, perplexity drawn in his face.
"I wanted him to take her as a pet instead, like a sex toy. Maybe the solution isn't that he marries me. But not to marry her either,you see, my rant was just to remind him that he never wanted to marry in the first place."
Hendrix rubbed his forehead as he groaned loudly. "Now you are just spewing nonsense."
"Do you not believe me?" I asked offended, coming closer to him. "Do you underestimate her?"
He furrowed his brows and ran his eyes over me in doubt.
"It will be an easy mistake and will cost us a whole lot if we are not careful." I warned, internally applauding myself for the underlying danger that vibrated in my voice.
At this point, Hendrix started to leave, but I rushed and pulled him back by his arm. "She will be second in command,not you."
"You are making a storm in a teacup, Erica. If that's your excuse,it was a very poor one."
"He wants her consent to marry her. He doesn't even want your consent, or the Queen's, for that matter. It's not just a wild goose chase for him; he feels for her.He feels for her!" I said bitterly,suddenly realizing that there is a possibility that I am right.
"I know you went to see him too, and he denied you entry too. You are his brother, but he would rather have her visit than see you or even hear updates from his own kingdom. He despises the werewolves, but he lives among them ,knowing it's even dangerous to be in their mist. And it's all for her. He never missed a council meeting or stayed this far from the office, but he did. For whom? For her!!"
I paused to let it sink in and slowly rejoiced inwardly as I saw him understand. As I felt him agree, "And if we don't stop her and this witchcraft of hers, or at least his obsession for her, We are going to lose a lot, and most importantly, the chance of ever being the Valerian King and Queen, "he said in a hushed tone.
"Exactly." I said I was tightening my grip on his arm.
His eyes ran over me for a while, and he just walked outside without a word, I knew his brilliant head was spinning with plans to take her down.
I let my smile grow wider on my face as he stepped out. I knew he would ponder it tonight. For now,I won't press him too much; I had to let his temper drop a bit. The important thing was that his doubt had already lowered to almost nothingness, and his trust in my abilities had grown a bit more.
My eyes caught a painting of a handsome man on the wall. I walked towards it with interest. I had no idea who it was,but it must have been someone important to be perched in the siren's royal art gallery. I tried to imagine Adriel's face with the body, but it didn't match. The body was way too lean to be Adriel's; the most I had seen of Adriel was without the shirt, but even so,you could tell the rest of him was perfectly carved to be craved after. I sighed loudly. It seems like I will have to pleasure myself with thoughts of him again.
My own words came haunting me, and I grew uneasy. He did feel for her—or maybe he was too invested in the act of pursuing her. It was like a conquest,and he will eventually get bored. I doubted myself even when I tried to think positively. I decided to face reality, and it told me that she was now a main priority, and she would be for a while or a lifetime if I didn't act fast. And I sure will be damned if I let that hybrid steal Adriel from me.
* * *
"I came as soon as I could." I said, rushing to him.
Adriel turned to face me and did a curt bow,his black hair glistening in the sun as he did.
I returned the courtesy with a lower bow. He enjoys it when I bow lower. He once said he liked my submission in simple matters, and I made it a point to always show him it since then,so he doesn't forget that I belonged to him and will happily execute his commands.
He bid a short good-bye to Charles and headed over to me.
"Join me on a stroll,"he invited, guiding me with a gentle hand on my back.
"How have you been holding up?" he asked as we headed to the garden.
I smiled to myself before I replied. "I was great. I can take care of myself. I always have."
He patted my back slowly and removed his hand,leaving a hallow of emptiness there.
"How was your trip?" I whispered softly when I caught Hendrix's glare at me from the horse he was sitting on. I ignored it and paid attention to the company beside me.
"Bearable; it wasn't a complete waste of time." He said,His deep voice did wonders for my senses.
"It's a good thing you are finally back. Some of us missed you at the meetings." I said meekly,throwing a subtle hint. It seemed his plan didn't fall through after all.
"Adorable," he shrugged dismissively. "I would like to ask you to do me a favour,"he said, stopping in his tracks.
I stopped too and watched him. He was wearing a jet black suit that hugged his body and gave definition to every perfect muscle. I could melt a thousand times just seeing him in black,so I adored the moment while he was analysing me enough to decide if he wanted me to do the favour or not.
"You have all right to say no, " he started seriously.
I fanned my hair behind me. "Let me hear it."
"I want Kiara to stay at my family palace till the wedding, and my mother told me today that I was supposed to host a welcome party. I had no knowledge that it was expected, so I did no preparation whatsoever, and the only person who I knew could make something good on such short notice was you."
I tried to keep a straight face as my heart sank into a pit. "It's really not that big of a deal if you host a party or not."
"That is my decision, and I decided to do it." He spoke sharply, but with nice control over his voice,he turned back to the commanding self he always was. His moments of kindness were rare, and I cherished them immensely, but then there were times like this when I felt like my heart would get ripped out into shreds just by listening to him talk.
I drew in a shaky sigh and replied with a voice I had trained for years to remain neutral. "You can count on me."
"Good. I'm forever in your debt,"he said patting my shoulders before walking away.
He stopped and returned to my side, scanning me with those heavenly pools of infinite gray.
"What did you come for when you came to see back then? " he asked.
"Back when?" I asked, recovering from my daydream of his lips on mine.
"Crescent Moon Palace."
That I love you eons more than any woman ever will, and I just needed to see your face so I could sleep calmly.
"Oh,nothing important,just a friendly check-up." I lied easily.
He nodded and left me again,not even caring enough to give an apology or at least an explanation for why he left me stranded at the gate.
I felt my hatred for Kiara grow; she didn't deserve him. Any bit of him—his attention, his kindness, or his damn welcome party. She had no idea who she was getting involved with, but I will show her. I will teach her a grave lesson, and this party will forever be etched in her memory. I will make sure of it.