“Are you okay?” Rhett’s voice sounds, it’s distant but there. The pounding of my head takes away most of my focus. “Let’s get started on the west bay. If we-” Light-headedness floods my body, halting my instructions; a wobble claims me before strong arms steady me. “You need rest.” “I’m fine.” “We can pick the project up tomorrow, Alba.” “I said I’m-” A sharp throb pierces my head, causing me to fall silent. The scorching desert sun does not help, but neither does the fact that I last ate yesterday morning. “Fine, a break it is.” I utter as I let him lead me to the car that would take us to our temporary residence in Mist. The project I tackled after the masquerade ball ended relatively quickly, but I could not- would not return to the capital, so I took Magnolia in on her offer. It is no miracle that Rhett chose to follow me to Mist, it is, however, one that this is our third month, and we have yet to discuss the ball or acknowledge its impact on our relationship. We dis
The restaurant’s walls were lined with parasitic plants that maintained their bright green even in the desert heat, so air-conditioning for the win. I like the earthen feel the plants give the restaurant, and while their choice of lighting was a warm yellow meant to appear soothing, I feel anything but soothed.I have only ever read of terms like ‘cuckold’ in books or really layered pornos, yet I am about to enter such an arrangement.Well, I guess there is a first for everything; still, I should appreciate that Rhett looks more nervous than I do.This is the third time he has picked up and dropped his fork; our meal has yet to arrive, so he should not have any business with the cutlery yet-How cute, like a schoolboy meeting his crush.No.I shouldn't think this way; our time together could be coming to an end; I mean, how long would they let me interfere in their heaven-bound match? A few months max if I make my presence too noticeable.Yet again, I will have to minimise my presence
"What- what do I do? I do not want him to think of me as a child; I don’t want to lose my mate, not to you or anyone."“First of all, dress your age.”I utter as I walk toward her; my hand reaches her cheek, then lowers to her lower lip, which is covered in lipstick too dark for anyone not posing as a dominatrix.“That’s my only free advice; you’d have to bargain for the rest.”“Bargain?”I pull away from her and check the stalls. After ensuring they are empty and that we are the only two in the room, I speak."I need the title of Luna till the end of summer to get rid of...a few ghosts. In that time, I can train you in social etiquette.""Social etiquette, from a social pariah? You think I do not know of you?""Right in the heart."I press my hand to my chest in emphasis."To break the rules, you must know them. Plus, I am still relevant even if I am a ‘social pariah’. I receive thousands of invites to social events; I just happen to talk shit at them, but how many do you have? How r
"What?""Stay with me, Alba. If you go to him right now- he isn't stable, and you might-""Isn’t that precisely why I should be with him?"The ringing in my ears only seems to increase the more he speaks."Alba!"I start for the door, but his hand on my forearm is quick.“Rhett, I-I have to go.”The tremble in my voice gives away my desperation; I shouldn’t feel this terribly for something- someone I want nothing to do with yet…"I'll reject her, so pick me. I will not leave you."“What?”What in God’s name is he talking about?Why would he bring this up now?“I have to go!”“I am ready to drop everything for you, Alba, so please, please, don’t go.”"You are not rejecting her in my name but your fathers. Don't pin this on me! Don’t make me responsible for your choices."“But I want you! I-”His hand on mine trembles, perhaps with more desperation than my voice.“I want you to stay as my Luna, as my wife, stay by my side Alba. All I ask is that you don’t go to him now; wait until the f
"We can go home." Rhett offers. "No, no, I can go; you should stay. I think you are getting more done than I am." "I am not leaving you alone. We stay, or we go, together." His words sound sweet, but they only confirm that he doesn't trust me. I don't trust myself either, so this may be for the best. "Then we stay: I think they need me to purify something, right?" I turn to pose my question to the worker who is still eavesdropping on us. "Ah! Yes, there was a rupture in the pipes caused by water pressure." “Show me.” I utter, then detach my hand from Rhett to follow the man. After aiding him, more tasks awaited me...all of which I performed subpar because nothing in me was present. Still, the day ended, and without work to distract me during our drive home, my mind once again began to stray. It did not help that it was raining, a miracle and cause for celebration due to our efforts here, but all it does is increase my gloom. Still, I have to wait till the end of the week f
An eerie agony filled him when he woke up alone in the car. It was stupid that he expected her to be there.He had fallen asleep with a sense of joy his mother had warned about, awakening to the emptiness in his arms and in an instant, his joy was reduced to an illusion.Yet again, she left him.Yet again, he woke up alone when he was certain he had her.He had gotten nothing, not even a note on her departure—only an announcement from Magnolia two days later that she had decided to visit Mist with her fiancé to work on a project whose end was predicted in a decade; he couldn’t even summon her back to the capital because her arrival had been presented with rainfall that had been journaled by the news team as ‘miraculous’.She would always leave him whenever he turned away from her, he realised belatedly. Even his dreams were punctuated by her absence.His days grew heavier and duller the more she thrived in Mist. He lived on her image in the newspaper and their six-month promise. He wo
A knock on the car window was all it took to jolt me. How long have I been holding him? How long had it been since we reached the palace? It is night now; the driver and security personnel have been long dismissed, all before he fell asleep on my chest. My gaze turns to the window: Magnolia stands on the other side in eveningwear. The position we are in is not in the least bit excusable, yet detaching myself from him seems impossible; his grip around my waist tightens the more I squirm. “Marko, you have to let go now.” I whisper, but he doesn’t budge. My peel from him is more forceful than it should be; still, I manage to slide out of the car. My shirt is wet from his tears. The chill of the night as his warmth escapes me emphasises this. “Sorry, he isn’t awake yet-.” “I’ll take it from here, priestess. I feel you have done enough. Do you know that you both are on every media outlet in the kingdom?” “I am his stepsister; I should be able to be photographed near him.” “Are
It is easy to step into Marko’s wide embrace; again, he makes me forget myself—forget that underneath my shirt, I am nude. His hold on me throbs my centre, but he maintains his strong arms on my waist, causing the shirt to lift slightly. The Ketrian anthem plays in my mind on repeat. I shouldn’t be this aroused after what I did in his shower, yet…I can’t help it. It works; the arousal stops when he sinks his face into my stomach; only something more tender that beats my heart ferociously takes over. I shouldn't feel this way, but it is perhaps because I have never seen him cry this much. Not even when his mother passed; then, he was just outraged. As heartbreaking as it is not to have the answers he craves or to account for my mother's existence, I adore that he still leans on me and that I have a part to play as his solace. I am not a sadist...at least, I don't think so. I am merely greedy. My mate found comfort in my arms. Though...can I still call him that? Marko leans ba