21

Word Count: 1730

~Onyx

"This is going to be miserable," Sienna mutters, glaring out the transport's small window.

We've already been travelling for many hours, however, we have almost arrived at Maren's estate. She hosts this ball annually, and this time, I've invited all the girls and their escorts to join me.

And Sienna, of course.

"Why?" I ask, although I already know the answer.

"I'm going to be stuck in a room with Maren. She hates me," she huffs, adjusting the lower half of her dress.

This entire journey I've been staring at her. I can't help myself. She looks even more beautiful than last year, which I wasn't sure was possible.

Her dress is a deep, royal blue, adorned with silver gems on the bodice and a flowing skirt that shifts around her body like magic. I'm always amazed by her talents. She made this dress herself, and it looks worth more than any dress I've seen in any store.

"She doesn't hate you." I'm not sure what Maren feels about Sienna exactly. "And it's a very large room."

She rolls her deep brown eyes. "I'm nobody. Why does she care so much?"

"She doesn't, she just likes to fuck with me," I say. "She see's I care about you, and she likes playing mind games. Now you're my mistress, she'll leave you alone."

Maren always found the tension between Sienna and I to be interesting, exciting. The amount of times she has eluded to Sienna and I sleeping together was almost enough to convince me we had.

Now, I'm hoping Maren's fascination with Sienna and I's relationship will die away.

"I hope so."

"That necklace is new." I've been staring at the big, fat cluster of diamonds that rest against her chest. As generously as I pay Sienna, there is no way she could have afforded that on her own.

Her fingers brush against the necklace as she shakes her head a little. Is she embarrassed?

"It's a gift from Kayn," she forces out.

I clear my throat as an itch of amusement has me threatening to laugh.

Nothing about that necklace screams Sienna. She doesn't enjoy overly material items, especially ones that draw attention. The necklace is such a statement, it threatens to drain Sienna of her beauty by taking all of it for itself.

"It suits you." I smother my smile.

"No it doesn't." She lays her hand over the necklace, scowling at me. "Wipe that smile off your face."

I bite my lower lip. "What smile?"

She laughs a little herself, her shoulders shaking.

"It's the thought that counts. He doesn't know me well yet, but when he does, I'm sure this won't happen again," she tells me, slumping a little in her seat.

"Naturally."

Clearly she's only wearing this necklace to appease the poor man. He's not going to get the hint she wants him to like this.

"I'm guessing I can't dance with him at the ball." Her smile falters at the thought, a cute frown pressing between her brows.

I exhale slowly. "Maybe another time."

It's not that I want to keep them apart. He makes her happy and that's enough reason for me to keep him around. It's just not a good idea to have my mistress rubbing up on other men when Maren will be looking for the slightest gap to sneak in and fuck with me.

This only works if people actually believe Sienna and I have a close sexual relationship.

"Do you ever think you'll make a decision about who you'll marry?" She asks, playing with her silver earrings.

I rub my face. "I...I don't know, Sienna."

"Alright, do you think you'll make a decision about whether it's Lexa?" She seems anxious for my answer, rousing suspicion.

"Why?"

"When Kayn leaves...like when you either decide to marry Lexa or send her on her way, I'm going to go with him," she exclaims decidedly, straightening like she's readying herself for my reaction.

I don't so much as flinch. I've been anticipating this.

"Where?"

"To his village, where he's from." She bites down hard on her lower lip.

"To live with him?"

"It depends on how our relationship develops. If not I'll get my own place." She fluffs the skirt of her dress. "I think I'm finally going to put all this learning about nature to the test and write and illustrate my guide to plants and wildlife."

My chest deflates.

The thought of Sienna leaving here, leaving me, makes me want to rip someone's throat out. It makes me want to hunt Kayn down and gut him for thinking he's enough for her.

More overwhelmingly, it fills me with immense pride.

"That's amazing, Sienna. That sounds like exactly what you would want to do."

Her eyes widen slightly, a little stunned.

This is the first time Sienna has been sure about her future, and it sounds good for her.

Better than me. Better than the life she could have in my shadow.

"I know." Her relief is evident as she releases the breath she was holding. "And to make money in the meantime I might make clothing and sell it at local markets or something."

"That's a really good plan."

Fuck. Why does this hurt so bad?

It feels like the very fabric of my soul is being ripped apart and discarded carelessly.

She looks a little hurt. "You sound so pleased about me leaving."

"No, I mean...I can't imagine not having you around, but I will never, ever hold you back from your dream." I lean forward, hoping she can tell that I'll never compromise her life for my own benefit.

She bites down on her lower lip, holding back a beaming smile. Despite her nerves about what is incoming with the ball, she's happy. It's all I can ask for.

"You know, I can still pursue my dream here. The woods around this place are so incredible, if I could explore them."

I shake my head. She's only saying that for my sake. Even if that were possible, there is so much more to her life that she can't have here.

"Those woods are too dangerous," I remind her, thinking back to that Deceiver that almost killed her. "And don't you want to be with Kayn?"

Her smile falters a little, doubt playing in her features, but it's gone in an instant.

"Yes, of course. I mean, I think so."

I monitor her expression, her gaze sweeping out the small transport window, watching the thick trees pass by.

"Promise me you'll take your time to think this through. Make sure Kayn is really the one you want to make this leap for," I say quietly.

Kayn isn't good enough for her. No one is, but especially not him. It's nothing that he's done, although I've heard whispers.

I know he didn't react well when Sienna panicked during a storm. He didn't help her at all...

I would kill him for it if he didn't mean something to her.

"Look at you being so wise. Here I was thinking you'd lock me in your room and keep me forever." She cracks a smile, trying to encourage the conversation in a different direction.

I take her bait.

"Tempting," I muse. "I want what's best for you."

"I just hope I make the right decision." The indecision is back in her expression. I wish I could rid of that concern.

However, the words I want to say can't come out.

"Why wouldn't you?"

"I don't know Kayn very well yet," she shrugs. "I'm afraid him and I are just too different."

Her fingers brush against the diamonds on her neck as she speaks. She doesn't have to say it, I understand. It's not just about the diamonds. It's about everything else that comes with it.

"Trust me, I'm not making a decision any time soon. You have time to figure this out," I assure her.

I don't mention that Lexa is probably the last pick on the list, and I could send her home now without issue.

"You're right." She smiles a little, pleased at that.

"Have you slept together yet?" I ask abruptly. I'm not even sure where that came from.

"Onyx!"

I shrug casually. "What? We're friends."

"We don't talk about sex...much," she stammers, her face turning bright pink at the thought.

I narrow my eyes slightly. We have in the past, in passing. Part of knows I avoid talking about it with her because it makes me feel a type of way I try so desperately to ignore.

"Come on. You're the first person I told when I lost my virginity," I remind her.

I remember how appalled she was at the notion. We were young and she admitted she didn't entirely know what sex was. I imagine that has changed over the years.

Not that I really want to think about someone getting the chance to see her in such a state.

"Don't make me remind you that you were only sixteen at the time, and I still didn't like you at that point," she adds, folding her arms over her chest.

"I thought you might think I was cool." I laugh roughly under my breath, shaking my head. "I was so fucking dumb."

Sienna looks ready to say something, however a glimpse out the window pulls her attention from me.

"Look, we're here."

I follow her gaze, and sure enough, Maren's stark white manor appears before us. It's nestled atop a cliff that sweeps down into a ravine. I swear her ancestors had the house built there so they could toss their enemies off the ledge at any point.

As the transport draws to a halt, I reach out and take her hand into mine.

"Sienna," I murmur softly. "Remember, you're my mistress. You don't have to act overtly interested in me or anything, but I'll need you by my side tonight."

She nods. "I understand."

I pop open the small door. "Good. Now let's get this over with."

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