A Game I'm Losing

Orion

The morning sun barely crept through the curtains, but my mind had been awake long before dawn. I felt her warmth before I saw her.

Sometime during the night, Ava had nestled closer, her soft breath fanning against my neck. Her head rested just beneath my chin, her body tucked tightly into mine, like we were two pieces of a puzzle that shouldn't fit—but somehow did.

Disgust prickled at my skin, urging me to pull away, to push her back to her side of the bed where she belonged.

But I couldn’t move. I stayed still, trapped by a strange gravity. As I watched her sleep, the steady rise and fall of her chest, her face softened in a way I’d never seen while she was awake. Vulnerable. Peaceful. Almost…innocent.

I shook my head, trying to clear the dangerous thoughts. This wasn’t real. She was still the enemy. But when she shifted slightly, moving away, the sudden absence of her warmth felt like an ache, a hollow void I couldn’t explain. I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to pull her back into my arms.

I felt myself slipping away, falling into her traps. Into her charms. Maybe I am really just like my father. The thought of Ava and my father stirred up emotions I couldn’t define. Anger, pain, jealousy?

How desperate could she have been to marry a man older than her father? The thoughts of them laying together in bed just as we are right now infuriated me the more.

Quietly, I slid out of bed, making sure not to wake her. Each step toward the door felt heavier than it should. Once outside, I moved quickly down the hallway, heading to where I knew I’d find the comfort I’d been missing.

Chloe.

Her new room was dimly lit, but she stirred as I slipped under the covers beside her. The moment she realized it was me, her eyes lit up, and she hugged me tightly, her scent familiar and soothing.

“I knew you’d come,” she whispered, her voice laced with sleep. “We’ve never spent a night apart in almost two years.”

I smiled faintly, stroking her hair. “I’m here now.”

She sat up, the thin strap of her nightgown slipping down her shoulder. My eyes betrayed me, trailing over her body hungrily, her curves—everything I knew so well. But as I looked at her, it wasn’t Chloe’s face I saw. It was Ava’s.

A pang of frustration shot through me. How could I let her invade my mind like this? I leaned forward desperately, capturing Chloe’s lips, hoping to drown out the unwanted thoughts. Her response was immediate, hungry, but as we fell deeper into the moment, a voice echoed from the hallway.

No. It couldn’t be.

Holly.

Reality slammed back into me. Ava had warned us she’d be arriving early today. Scrambling to my feet, I ignored Chloe’s confused protests, mumbling something about seeing her later. I slipped out of the room, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters.

But luck wasn’t on my side.

I collided head-on with Holly just as I turned the corner. She was bundled up in a thick coat, as if the chill outside might seep through the walls. Her eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed as she glanced back toward the direction I’d just left.

“Orion?” Her voice was laced with suspicion. “Why are you coming out of the servants’ quarters so early? And why are you breathing so heavily?”

Think. Fast.

“I…uh…” I ran a hand through my hair, forcing a sheepish smile. “I wanted to surprise Ava with breakfast in bed. Went to wake the kitchen maid.”

Her expression softened instantly, suspicion melting into delight. “Oh my gosh, that’s so sweet!” She clapped her hands together. “Ava’s lucky to have you.”

I forced a tight smile, nodding as she rambled on about romantic gestures. My mind, however, was racing. I needed to get back to Ava before Holly did. If she caught on to the tension between us, things could spiral out of control.

I listened as she rambled on about how sweet I am and how she wishes she could find a man like me someday.

Does she even know what she’s saying?

“Excuse me, Holly,” I said, slipping past her. “I’ll go check on the kitchen staff, you know how cranky your sister is.”

As I hurried back to the room, dread twisted in my stomach. Holly wasn’t just a complication. She was a time bomb—and it was only a matter of time before everything exploded.

When I reached the door, I found it slightly open. My heart pounded as I pushed it open, my breath catching in my throat.

Ava stood by the window, her back to me, shoulders tense.

She knew.

Without turning, she spoke, her voice low and dangerous. “How long do you think you can play both sides, Orion?”

The room felt like it was closing in, the walls pressing tighter. Before I could answer, she turned, eyes locking onto mine.

“We’re not alone in this house anymore,” she whispered, a sinister edge to her words. “And I don’t want my sister finding out about your mistress, it would break her.”

The air between us crackled with unspoken threats and promises. I had just been scolded by Ava and the worst part? I didn’t feel like my ego had been stepped on.

What is really going on with me? Am I still in control of this situation?

Whatever this is, one thing is certain and that is; for the first time, I wasn’t who would win. That scared me more than I care to admit.