Page 110 of Scars and Burns

Speaking through his laugh, “Your obnoxious hard on and the smell of sex on you. What have you done? Who have you done?”

He pauses for a moment, “Or should I ask who have you undone?”

My erection is finally starting to go down. I walk over and sit in the chair beside him. “Dinalia.”

An arrogant smile crosses his face. As if he knew this would happen. “Right and what does this mean for you now?”

“You as in her and I, or you as in just myself?” I counter. Seeing ashe as always viewed the two of us as a pair.

He rubs his chin, “Both really. You can’t deny it anymore and based on this, neither can she. You both are trying to reject something that is out of your control. Regardless of whether you actually want to be with each other. Or you’re not willing to admit it. The Goddess has destined your souls together. Your will will not overcome the Goddess’s woven fate.”

I know he is right. But that complicates everything. Perhaps it wouldn’t if Dinalia were not so close with her sister. Her sister who I am manipulating into my grasp. Not to mention all of the secrets I still keep from her.

“What would you have me do?”

Aemond just looks at me. Seriousness on his face but also sincerity. “Finish it”

I look away. Wishing there was another way.

I ponder on his words. Feeling my chest where she just healed me and my whole body freezes at what my fingers brush over. Or rather what my fingers don’t brush over.

It’s smooth. Completely.

Not just of scars from where the demon had wounded me but of my burns. She healed the years of fire damage from my skin.

Aemond sighs, pulling me from my thoughts, to say, “I understand why this is difficult for you. As much as you don’t want to admit it but there has always been something about her that you are drawn to. And with your Father and Mother being well… them, it’s become easier to believe you are meant to venture through this life alone. You are meant to rule and you will rule well. But that cannot happen while the other realms still stand alone. Darkness cannot continue to descend. Your Father will decimate everything. Seal the deal with Saphrina, kill the others, and leave Dinalia out of it.Take what you are feeling for Dinalia and imagine it’s her when speaking with Saphrina.If she isn’t already lost in you, she soon will be. Make her believe it.”

“She’ll never forgive me.”

“Perhaps not. She may even loathe you for a time. But she, like you, cannot resist the Goddess’s fate. She will not be able to stay away. And one way or another you two will come together. Willingly or by force. Fate wills it so.”

He’s right. There is no room for error with what is about to take place. And I will not have her life on my hands. She will live.

We will live.

I’ll make sure of it.

* * *

It’s just before dinner. Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus are about to enter. He is meant to present her with a wedding gift. Something special and unique to his realm.

Dinalia is sitting at the high table next to King Elio. I keep looking in her direction discreetly, trying to avoid her eyes. In fear that I will not go through with what is necessary.

However, every time I look at her she is looking straight ahead. As if she has plastered another fake mask on her face to get her through the day. I never once feel her eyes glance over to me when I am not looking.

Is she avoiding me?

Finally, Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus make their entrance. They are wearing matching attire. Similar in color. Complimenting and blending with each other perfectly.

They take their seats in their usual spots. Princess Saphrina to the left of King Elio and Prince Proteus to the left of her.

The room grows quiet. Silenced by Prince Proteus. The air fillswith angst and suspense. All curious as to what he is about to gift his future wife.

Princess Saphrina keeps looking in my direction. Her eyes searching my face. I smile and nod at her. She is very pliable. Her eyes hold much longing and lust for me and it almost hurts to steal away her innocence.

That’s when I noticed it.

The pain in Dinalia’s eyes. Her outer shell cracked when she witnessed Saphrina and I’s interaction. She knows how Saphrina feels about me.

---