Page 4 of The Heart of a Villain

Can townsfolk and Belle’s family be called villains for wanting to kill the Beast, who took an innocent woman?

Can enchanters be called a villain for casting the curse on the person whose heart was so vain she had no other choice but to teach him a lesson?

Too many variables are in that equation that affect the outcome.

Rafael uses this to distract me, and he exclaims, “Ah-ha! See? You defend them!” He pokes my side, and I glare at him as we come out of the forest, where harsh wind greets us. But we push through it and walk even faster home, both of us anxious to see our mom.

They are selfish, greedy, and usually have a strong motive to hate the good guys, I think back to his earlier explanation. Strangely enough, the selfish one among us is Rafael and not me, so if anyone should wear the title of a villain, it’s him.

I indulge his little game because he needs a distraction too. “And based on your less-than-flattering description, I’m supposed to jump from joy to be called one?”

“Villains will fight for what they want till their last breath. That’s my Rush!”

“Heroes do that too. Princes and kings do it as well,” I remind him when we nod at the guards protecting our castle. They give us a slight smile before snapping their fingers, which signals for the iron gates to be opened, the grating sound playing on my nerves and rushing pain through my scalp. “So your theory—”

Rafael interrupts me, dragging me inside as George and William press their palms on our backs, urging us to speed up even more. Do they have a timer or something? Why all of a sudden are they in such a hurry? “Heroes fight for what is right.” My twin whistles. “So what they want doesn’t necessarily matter.”

“Whatever, Rafael.” I decide to end this stupid conversation because arguing with him gives me a headache and zero other results.

I spin around, which makes Rafael stumble a little, and focus my stare on the two butlers, who almost bump into us. Confusion is written all over their faces, but I know they won’t lie to me.

Or rather, be successful at it.

“Is Mom all right?” I address William, who pales a little at the question but then places his hand on top of my head and gently pats it. “How do you know it’s safe to come back?”

“She is okay, Rush. They just needed time to deliver the baby, and now it’s all over.”

George pitches in, hugging Rafael closer when he leans on his hip. “Labor can sometimes last for hours. That’s why your parents didn’t want you to listen to it all. Everything is great, little prince.”

Yeah, well…

At least to our staff I’m a prince.

“Now, let’s go inside. Your parents are waiting for you.” George claps his hands and goes up the stairs quickly. William follows him, but Rafael stays by my side, since I’m still glued to the same spot, dwelling on everything around me on this island.

Where only the endless ocean surrounds us, and you cannot escape, no matter what.

And then the breath is squeezed out of me when Rafael envelops me in a tight hug, rocking us from side to side, and I have no choice but to return it, a little peace settling in my heart whenever we do it.

“I love you, Villain Rush,” he whispers in my ear, sighing and resting his chin on my shoulder, while his hair tickles my cheek.

They say twins are two halves of a whole who are forever connected with each other, no matter what happens or where they go. We are able to feel each other’s pain, moods, and even sickness.

We’ve never been separated for longer than ten minutes, so we haven’t tested that theory yet. But in this moment, I’m so grateful to have Rafael in my life.

Someone who is always there.

Someone who listens.

Someone who shows consideration only to me.

And no matter what we will discover now or what this upcoming change brings in our structured world… he’ll be with me in it and will never let anyone come between us.

Because Rafael will never, ever betray me or choose someone else above his twin.

I whisper back in his ear, “I love you too, Prince Rafael.”

“Forever and ever?”

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