“What do you wish to discuss?” I asked as I followed Adamantia to the fireplace.
“I met Sasha before you were born,” she began. I nodded.
“What do you think of our relationship?” she asked.
“Your relationship has always seemed loving, evenly matched,” I answered. “I have no memory or knowledge of any fights between you two.”
In truth I was envious. Adamantia had the life of nobility with no true responsibility. Yes, she helped to run Ardens Estate in my absence after the traitors execution, and while my equally traitorous uncle was attempting to live like a Royal in Borealis, but Adamantia had no real power. No legacy to ensure. There were no laws barring her union with Sasha. Adamantia was the youngest of three; she was never destined to inherit anything from anyone. There was a freedom that she enjoyed, that I had not—and would never—know.
“It wasn’t always so,” Adamantia responded. “Sasha is strong-willed. It seems to be a trait shared among those of the witching communities, and we butted heads often during the beginning of our courtship. I did not want to marry a witch,” she explained.
“Your union with Sasha was not of choice?” I asked, shocked.
I would have known—would have read about such an arrangement, especially within my own family. How would I not know?
Adamantia nodded.
“Father—your grandfather—arranged it,” she continued, “House Petra were poor in land and funds, they were starving. As our neighbours, and the largest customer of their services within our mining industries, they turned to us, hopeful that we would help. Ardens was struggling too. We had recently found new deposits of coal, and Father was near demented in his search for further deposits of sapphires, but he lacked the funds and resources to search as he wished. Both Houses had something that the other wanted—or rather needed, in House Petra’s case. I do not know the minute details, but a deal was struck. House Petra wanted assurances of a future relationship. House Ardens stood to gain much, when House Petra wouldsimply not starve. My father offered my hand—I was the only one of my siblings not already promised in marriage. Sasha was the only heir of her House. After our marriage, her father conveniently remarried a much younger woman who birthed a son, and Sasha formally became second in line.”
“I had no idea,” I confessed.
“It was hush. Father didn’t want anyone to know of Ardens’ financial situation—especially Borealis—with Arae’s engagement to your father not yet complete at the time,” Adamantia explained.
“Why are you telling me this now?” I asked.
“I see Sasha and myself in you and your Percy,” she told me. “Only you have made the choice to pursue your pet. I’ve seen the ring around her neck—Mother’s. You have made quite the statement. Your intentions are clear, Selene.” Adamantia said, and I wondered if the circumstances of our relationship were really that different. I felt like I had no choice but to pursue Percy to some degree, due to the soul match, yet I hadn’t envisioned a relationship of a romantic nature and never anticipated loving her. I was foolish.
“And what is it that you see in my pet and me?” I asked.
“I see my young niece struggling to find the balance between her nature, societal pressures and norms, and keeping her love happy. You suffer rather severely from your instincts,” she smiled apologetically. “I believe it is a result of your heritage: a pureblood and Royalty. You were always destined to be a leader, in all ways. You desire submission from your pet, yet also for her to flourish and be content with you—with the added trouble of outwardly showing a relationship that most will accept.”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“I believe you have indulged your pet,” she smiled teasingly then. “In all ways. It’s easy to do. You cannot be blamed. It took me a short time to fall for Sasha once I accepted my circumstances, and yet those first years were turbulent as I tried to find my own balance. Sasha was downright infuriating, and insisted on being my equal.”
“You treat her as such,” I countered.
“We are. Yet the way we express that equality among ourselves in private is different. Sasha is of nobility herself, and as such she would never overtly give sole authority to me. Finding compromise took time. We discuss our stance as partners, and we do disagree, and there is continued compromise, but we work because we wish to. We show a united front to the outside. In private, Sasha is far more accommodating of my instinctual need for control.” She smiled bright, flashing fang. “Bring your pet to heel, Selene, before she makes a fool of you both and threatens your stance in society. But do so gently—she must follow you willingly or not at all. Such dynamics require full cooperation, if they are to work.”
I listened to Adamantia, she had revealed much about her relationship with Sasha. I wanted what she appeared to have—what I had seen through my childhood—a relationship that was strong and devoted. I had work to do, when it came to mine and Percy’s relationship.
13. Time to Learn Some Control.
Persephone Flores
There was a soft knock on the bedroom door.
“Who is it?” I asked, and wondered why any servant would be at the door at this time.
The door handle turned, and I sat up quickly. I had been lying on the bed, flipping between a deep sadness and confused anger, and ultimately sad and angry crying into my pillow that I hugged to my chest.
“I thought you might be asleep,” Selene said as she stepped into the room and closed the door softly behind her. “You have not changed for bed,” she observed.
“I’ve not gotten under the covers,” I defended, a little aggressively, worried that she was upset with me.
“No, you haven’t,” she agreed.
Her expression was neutral. She no longer seemed angry, and I was even more confused. She had dragged me like an animal from the dining room in front of everyone and thrown me on the bed, and now she was here, knocking on doors to check if I was awake and speaking quietly?
