“Why are we going to House Ardens and not home to Borealis?” I asked her. It was confusing. Why had she chosen to take us to House Ardens? I understood that she was Marchioness of Ardens now, but surely the King's Castle was the safest place for us? Who would attempt to attack us within the Borealis homeland? And why had Heidi suggested that Borealis might not be an ally to House Coactus anymore? Why had Selene agreed?
“I had planned a tour of the consolidated lands of House Ardens this winter. I must show myself as an active Marchioness, present and ready to quell any distress within my new territories or to beat down any who might challenge my claim to the title. Given the current circumstances, I believe it best to begin the tour early,” she explained, but she looked away from me as she spoke, and it felt like she was keeping something from me.
“I still don’t understand. Isn’t the castle safer?” I continued, probing for more information. While Selene seemed to have control of herself, what I had witnessed, the way she behaved, almost out of control with fear—still affected me. I was nervous, and my magical output had left me weak and vulnerable. There was clearly more than just my new ability at play in her decisionto take us to Ardens, and the conversation with Heidi about whether Borealis was still an ally of Coactus was suspicious. What was she keeping from me?
The frustration made me want to pull my hair, and she still hadn’t given any expiation as to why she had allowed the Academy guard to attack Ana and me.
“And what of Ana?” I continued. “What will happen to her? Will she be safe?” I questioned, feeling guilty that I hadn’t considered Ana’s safety earlier. “She’ll be the only witch at Sanguis Academy, and she’s my best friend—everyone knows that. You and Heidi said I was in danger; what if she’s in danger too?”
“Ana has been proven innocent of inter-coven witchcraft. It is the decision of House Syngeneia whether to recall their servant or not,” Selene replied. I didn’t like her response or how she ignored most of my concerns.
“That’s not helpful at all,” I replied, hating how petulant I sounded.
“I will send word to Heidi and ask that she do what she can to have Ana returned to her House, but the autumn break will begin in a couple of weeks anyway, and I doubt her House will send her back to the Academy after the break,” Selene suggested, clearly tired of my concern for my friend.
“It doesn’t feel good enough,” I said, daring to pull away from her. I knew it was less than two weeks before the autumn break, but I couldn’t stand the thought of Ana being alone for that period of time. What had President Minerva put her through? I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t. The guilt was already eating at me. I was bad luck to anyone who knew me. Just being my friend was dangerous. Then I remembered Mhari and that fact that House Maria remained at Sanguis Academy, and my anxiety settled alittle. Mhari had found me at Ana’s request; maybe Ana wouldn’t be so alone? I hoped that Mhari would be a friend to Ana—a better friend than I was. I didn’t know when I would be allowed to speak with or see her again. Ana’s comment that Selene protected her interests from the previous day eerily entered my mind.
“Do not pout like that,” Selene said, and I turned my head away from her in frustration; Ana was important. In response, Selene gripped my jaw and turned my head towards her. “It’s distracting,” she said and leaned forward to kiss me. I tried to pull away, but her grip on my jaw wouldn’t let me, and I was far too exhausted.
Selene paused, her silver eyes locking with mine. “Do not pull away from me. I know I was harsh before. It was necessary. Not everything is under my control,” she told me.
“But I am,” I answered, a combination of anger and devastation swirling within me. Everything had broken in one afternoon.
“Yes,” she replied. Her grip on my jaw intensified when I raised my arms and tried to push her away.
“Stop it,” I told her.
“You are mine. Mine,” she growled. “Mine to provide for and mine to protect. No matter the cost, I will pay the price,” she snarled. Her eyes glowing bright, and I should have been fearful after everything that had happened that day, but I saw the quiver of her lips and I would have sworn the desperation I felt wasn’t my own—or at least not entirely.
The realisation that Selene was truly concerned for me began to drown out the internal noise of her betrayal. I closed my eyes, trying to gather my senses—trying to fight against my own desire. I should not give in to her so easily, not withoutexplanation, certainly not without some sort of guarantee that no such thing would happen again. But such reassurances were not forthcoming.
“Look at me,” she commanded.
“No,” I protested.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because if I look at you, I’ll give in,” I admitted.
“Give in?” she questioned softly.
I nodded. “I shouldn’t,” I said. “Give in,” I clarified, as if confirming to myself what I was trying not to do.
“But you want to,” she stated, and I could picture her smug grin. It angered me so much that I opened my eyes to see the offending grin and confirm the source of my anger.
But what I found was that Selene wasn’t looking at me. Her face was turned away, her jaw tense—another quiver.
“Why can’t you just admit when you’re wrong?” I asked, frustrated, and reached out to turn her head towards me.
She allowed me to move her, and when our eyes met, I saw nothing smug in her expression—no anger and no domineering demands.
My anger faded, and I leaned forward, pressing my lips against hers.
The kiss began slowly; a soft bite to my lip instructed me to allow her entrance, and I parted my lips for her.
The taste of Selene was warm like spring—something unique, something addictive.
I welcomed the deepened kiss, the battle I knew I would lose.
