Word Count: 2008

~Lavelle

Avi and I's afternoon tea date went on longer than anticipated.

We walked the grounds for a while, chatting about all manner of things. They ranged from frivolous to vaguely deep topics. He would ask me questions about my social life that left me weaving a tall tale about what it is like to be a socialite.

I'm grateful for Mel's long winded stories. I recalled them as I crafted my ruse, and hated myself during every moment.

Will Avi ever meet the true me?

Surprisingly, he's easy to talk to. It is clear he is well travelled, well mannered and chivalrous. He never made to touch me inappropriately, nor made a single crude remark and kept the conversation light and pleasant.

He seems like a kind man. One I should have no problem pursuing romantically.

We've spoken for so long our afternoon morphed into dusk, and then night. He excused himself for dinner after I denied his invitation to join him, and now I am returning to Mel's carriage so I may return home.

My slippers scuff softly against the stone path outside the palace, night bathing the land in infinite darkness.

Strange sounds coming from around the corner of the palace wall make me pause. It sounds like...kissing. Giggling.

I should walk away. Whatever is happening is none of my business.

I continue walking toward Mel's carriage. It's placement leads me to expose the side of the palace wall, where one glance has me seeing two people in a tight embrace.

It's Zyre and...Elspeth?

I immediately duck down behind the carriage, grimacing.

"Hmm, I should let you take me inside," Elspeth purrs.

Unable to help myself, I peer around the side of the transport, taking in the sight of Mel's friend being pressed against the exterior wall by Zyre.

Her palms are flat against his chest as she gazes up at him, blinking her eyes coyly. Her fluffy, curly copper hair frames her face, which Zyre's attention is transfixed on.

"Why would I do that?" Zyre's voice is almost unrecognisable. It's dark and sultry, grazing against my skin like a lovers touch.

"To take me to bed, of course." Elspeth pulls at his shirt, as though her urgency might hurry him.

He doesn't seem to want to be rushed. He cages her against the wall, his body moulded against hers. She tries to kiss him, but he pulls back enough to dissuade her efforts.

"That is tempting," he muses.

My stomach tightens. I should be on my way, but I'm transfixed by what I'm witnessing.

Maybe I'm hoping I can overhear something that can be used against him, so he won't tell Avi about my sister. Yet, there is a darker, more twisted reason I watch on.

"I'm excellent in bed and I'm told I give great head," Elspeth tells him teasingly, dragging her hand up the side of his neck before she buries it in his midnight hair.

He smirks. "As have I."

I summon a deep breath, seeming to have lost what I thought I had left in my lungs.

"I would love to experience that myself." She drags her mouth up the line of his jaw, doing her best to seduce him.

For a frightful moment, I'm certain he's going to fall to his knees before her, but he divorces entirely from her hold instead.

"Perhaps another night." He doesn't even bother to sound regretful.

Elspeth confidence stumbles, and so does her smile. It shakes a little. She's hurt, from being rejected, but I only feel a little bad for her. She's always despised me, and frankly, she's dodged a bullet with Zyre.

Unless of course her only intention is to sleep with him. Then she may have just missed out greatly.

"Why not now?" She tries to pull him back but he stands unmoving.

"I am far too busy for fun tonight. In fact, if I do not rush inside this instance, your Alpha may have my head," he tells her.

My eyes narrow sceptically. Why would Avi care about him denying Elspeth? Avi can't stand Zyre, so it seems unlikely he would have tasks for him to complete.

Elspeth sighs drearily. "We wouldn't want that. It's such a pretty head."

"Get going." He slides his hands into his pockets, nodding to her transport a few feet away.

She looks like she wants to protest more, but decides against it. Zyre isn't going to be convinced of anything right now.

"Tomorrow?" She asks hopefully.

"I'll let you know."

Elspeth gives him one last look before she walks off toward her transport. The first moment I saw them, I wondered if this is the female he's been rumoured to intend to marry. After watching the interaction unfold, I no longer consider that to be a possibility.

Her transport departs, Zyre watching it go. I make to reach for the door to Mel's carriage, but Zyre's voice carrying across the courtyard gives me pause.

"Done watching, Lavelle?"

I duck down further, hoping to conceal myself behind the wheel. How did he know I was here? Has he known the entire time?

Still crouched, I slowly step along until I can reach for the doorhandle on the outside of the carriage. I fumble with its polished surface until the door pops open and I slip inside.

Only to see Zyre already sitting inside, having entered through the other door.

I straighten. "Fuck."

"That's the second time you've greeted me with such language." He settles his hands on his lap, his legs stretched out in front of him like he owns the space.

Stepping into the carriage, I sink down onto the bench seat opposite him.

"I was about to head home," I state.

He smiles, his lips slightly swollen from where they were kissing Elspeth only moments ago. Something dark and sinister stirs in my stomach, wondering what it is about Elspeth that drew Zyre to her.

"Did you enjoy watching?" Amusement is immersed in the thread of his voice.

I scowl at him. "I wasn't. I was trying to leave and was accosted by the sight of you devouring Elspeth's face."

His brows raise. "You know her then?"

I wouldn't if it weren't for Mel. It's been the only negative side of having her as my friend. Elspeth rotten attitude toward me since meeting me at the ball has only made me feel lesser than, so I suppose it's fitting she's gotten herself wrapped up with Zyre.

"Unfortunately." I cross my arms. "I was so shocked I couldn't move for a moment. I have since recovered from the awful sight."

I wave at the door, trying to insinuate that he should leave. He remains in his spot, his dark head of hair contrasting against the rich crimson velvet of Mel's carriage interior.

"I'm sure you have." He looks over me, taking in the dress I know he knows I can't afford.

Hopefully Avi hasn't noticed it's a little ill fitting. Mel is a couple inches shorter than me, so the sleeves barely reach my wrists.

"May you leave so I can go home?" I'm worried he's come to collect on my debt to him, to force me to buy his silence like my sister does.

He runs a hand over his sensual mouth. "Not yet."

"I thought you were so busy that the Alpha would have your head for not going inside right this instance." I offer a pointed look, remembering what he said to Elspeth.

He only smiles, showing off those stupid dimples I want to slap away.

"Did you enjoy your first date with the Alpha?" He asks softly, curiously.

I straighten, folding my hands on my lap. "I did. He is great company and not half as irritating as you."

Why Zyre insists on being in my proximity, I'm not sure. As obscenely handsome as he is, he's also equally dangerous. There is nothing gentle and soft about him. He looks looks like he could kill me with a single hand alone, but he's choosing to manipulate me instead.

He angles his head, giving me a pitying look. "What did you two get up to? Complete a puzzle? Sit around while he droned on and on about the intricacies of getting each hair on his head into the perfect position?"

I scowl at him, not liking what's he's insinuating.

"We had tea and went for a walk. Not that it is any of your business." I should slap him. Avi is a gentleman, and Zyre is...I don't know. The opposite of one, I suppose.

"How romantic," he mutters.

What would he know about romance? Mel told me he has his heart set on one female, but the more I speak to him, the less I'm beginning to believe that. Nothing is serious to him. Everything is something to be ridiculed, including me.

"It was actually. And intimate."

"All passionate affairs start with tea and a walk, don't they?" He stretches his arms over the back of the cushioned seat languorously, like he owns this transport, and has no intention of going anywhere soon.

I stare at him, willing myself not to be riled up by him. His gaze is heavy against my skin, a challenge in itself.

"They don't start pressed against a wall," I snip bitterly. "Not worthwhile one's anyway. Not one's that lead to marriage."

"And marriage is what you want?" The questions keep coming faster, more pressing in their delivery.

"Yes. Obviously." I shift uncomfortably. This might be moving so fast, I hardly feel like I can breathe sometimes, but the prospect of marriage is exciting. Avi is who I want.

Zyre's jaw sets in a hard line, not pleased by my declaration. What is his problem?

Is marriage such a disturbing proposition to him, or is it something darker, more insidious? Maybe he sees my ill worth for an Alpha and is here to dissuade me out of corrupting his reign. Maybe he has a problem with something as superficial as my hair or maybe my slightly crooked nose.

"I can't say Avi's approach to courtship is very surprising. He is a dull man," Zyre mutters plainly, brushing a fleck of fuzz off his pants.

I rest my hands beside me on the seat, digging my fingernails into the cushion. "And what is your approach to courtship then?"

He meets my gaze again, eyes hooded with unspoken desire.

"Would you like to find out?"

The rough edges of his voice lick up my spine, forcing me to straighten. This is what he's good at. He's a natural seducer, but that doesn't mean he wants me. He knows he has me under his control, and this false flirtation is part of his game.

"Please get out." I lean over to pop open the carriage door on his behalf.

His devious smile slowly dims. "It is not too late to untangle yourself from his web, you know."

I settle my hands on my lap. "Why would I ever want to do that?"

He shrugs. "Self preservation, I suppose."

My eyes narrow. I'm getting that uneasy prickle on the back of my neck that usual accompanies a suspicion. Zyre chooses his words so selective, suggesting something but giving away nothing.

"What aren't you telling me?" I whisper.

Instead of responding, he steps from the carriage, having to bow to manage it. He's so tall.

"Goodnight, Lavelle." He turns to give me a final look. "Enjoy your next date involving a dinner and a blank stare at the wall."

He winks before swiftly departing, melting into the darkness. I lean forward and rip the door closed.

"Whatever," I grumble to myself as the carriage takes me away from the palace, and back to reality.

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~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛