Chapter 10 | The Kiss

 Laelia's POV

    I watched her as she walked into the dining area. There was nothing special about her, maybe a bit cute with a sweet face. She was anything but my equal; I was worried for nothing. I know that Marcus's love and affection towards me are very much genuine, but I wanted to make sure that he wasn't going to indulge in meaningless sex with this woman. He has a huge appetite and it makes me insecure sometimes. When he returned after the engagement and I asked him how she was, all he said was.. meh. But I must have imagined the distant look on his face when he replied because she is indeed meh.

    Marcus's parents bought a beautiful violet evening dress for her. I am sure I would have looked ravishing wearing that. She did not look like she was used to such fancy clothes or jewelry. I may be a plebeian but my family is not any less rich or powerful. We have lands, slaves, and live a similar life like affluential folks in the town do, and yet, we are considered second class citizens. So much for class exaggeration, and now they end up with such plain-looking barbarian girl who doesn't satisfy any legal conditions required for marrying a Roman citizen. 

    I had to agree with my mother when she said that I would only be pushing Marcus away by sulking too much at him. She always had a valid point. It took two years of planning and scheming with her to get Marcus to notice me in a different light. Women flocked around him like he was some honey cake and they were starved ants. It was no easy task to build that trust and intimacy while pushing other women out of my path to be where I am with him today. I only had to ask him once and he agreed to marry me secretly. I am very proud of my conniving skills. And he is the perfect match for my beauty and wits.

    I made sure that I looked my sexy best today so that Marcus had eyes only for me. His mother scowled at me as soon as she laid her eyes on me.

    "Can that cut be any deeper? You should leave something to the imagination if you ask me," She chided me and I cursed her inwardly.

    "Your son likes it this way," I said.

    "I want the best for my son, and I told you many times that you can...," 

    She got interrupted by Marcus, "Mother, will you please leave her alone? She agreed to hang out with other families and not join us at the dinner table. What's the problem then?"

    "She is here and that is a problem," she said rudely before walking away and I swallowed my anger.

    Marcus looked at me apologetically and left. I poured myself some wine and walked around trying to hear snippets of their conversation. Seven noble families were invited to introduce the barbarians. They were dining around in various small groups near fireplaces. More people were going to come tomorrow for the wedding. I don't understand what all the hullabaloo is about when Allena is unwanted extra that comes with the deal. They had to bring the barbarians to the fortress and organize two-day long games and events which infuriates me. Allena's family spoke Italo-Celtic just like us. Their cheerful faces annoyed me. I caught her younger brother checking me out earlier. 

    Marcus and Allena were sitting side by side but I haven't seen them talk to each other. I smiled inwardly. Marcus is a ruthless fighter and is feared for his merciless killings and clever war strategies. He doesn't like timid women who shiver under his gaze.

    When the dinner party concluded, Allena and her siblings decided to play checkers and other lame board games that they never saw before. I was about to leave, satisfied that Marcus was really not interested in her when something happened. Allena followed Marcus closely when he went to the washroom. She waited in the hallway for him to come out. I went to stand in the shadows to hear what she was going to say to him.

    He ignored her and walking away when he saw her. She held his hand from behind.

    "Marcus!"

    He snatched his hand back from out of her grip but stood there to listen to her.

    "You don't have to pretend in front of my parents so much. Don't create false hope when you are just an insensitive power-hungry guy."

    Bitch has the audacity to talk to him like that! And he doesn't flinch. I expected him to get angry and show her place to her.

    "Pretend?" He asked.

    "Like earlier when you came out to meet us at the gates. What was that drama? You wanted to touch me when everyone was looking."

    He did? I felt waves of anger raise from within me. Looks like I foolishly accepted Marcus's words when he assured me last week that she means nothing.  

    "What's your point? Do you want to pick a fight with me every time? I was not pretending. I wanted to apologize to you."

    "How is that going to help me, Marcus? You told me how it is going to be, and I accepted it. I'm okay with whatever the deal is with your girlfriend. I don't care about your 'happily ever after' plans with her as long as you leave me alone."

    "Are you bothered that I apologized to you? Trust me, I have no intention to touch you. I couldn't care less about pretending for the sake of your family."

    "Well, good! That's not how I felt when you looked at me earlier. I am heartbroken and trying really hard to forget someone. I don't want to be drawn into some new drama with that bitch face girlfriend of..."

    "If you can't get over that f**ktard Neill who is going to be a hundred miles away from you after we get married, you think I will get over my sexy girlfriend anytime soon? While she is near me? What makes you think you are so special?" 

    That was one tight slap on her face. I couldn't have put those words better than Marcus myself. I want him in my bed tonight.

    "Sexy? Do you see anything in her beyond that? She looks like a vicious woman and I hate how she looks at me. I don't want any trouble from her, and don't want to see her ever again."

    "That's not for you to decide." His voice held a hint of finality before he walked away from her.

                       ***************

    Allena's POV

    I was getting confusing vibes from Marcus. And my feelings feel confused too. There was no mistaking that he wanted to kiss me when he saw me earlier.

    I went back to play with my siblings. I rested enough before dinner, and I can't think about falling asleep now with wedding jitters and disturbing feelings. It upset me when I saw how that Laelia looks at Marcus with eyes full of lust and seduction. Her dress accentuated all her fucking curves and I saw Marcus looking at her. It must be hard for her to see her lover getting married to someone else. I just hope she doesn't take it out on me in some manner because all I feel are chills when she looks at me. There is something very dangerous about that woman.  

    I was lost in deep thoughts and didn't realize that my sister was poking at me when it was my turn to play. They were all very amused by my constant absent-mindedness today. 

    "Let's play a different game," said Devin and he explained the rules which sounded pretty much like an ancient version of truth or dare. Except that there was no option to choose truth.

    "Why do I have a feeling that you are trying to set me up somehow with this game?" I said.

    "You have a feeling because you are a smartass, let's start! It's getting late." 

    Just as I expected, they all pushed me to go kiss Marcus when it was my turn to dare. Even Selma who was always on my side took their side now.

    "I rather die than do that," I said firmly.

    "You both are going to die if you don't let off some of that steam," said Devin and winked at me.

    "You just talk nonsense all the time!" I was beginning to feel flushed.

    "I think it is a good idea. You have been so confused about your feelings for him. You will know based on how the kiss feels," said Iona.

    "If he lets me get that far you mean," I rolled my eyes when I thought about the conversation I just had with Marcus. 

    "At least you will know where you stand. It won't hurt to put yourself out there sometimes. Keep that door slightly open for him to come in," chuckled Selma.

    "I told him to stay away just now. He will think I am mental," I can't believe that I was actually considering kissing him. These people are pretty persuasive.

    "No, he won't. He knows how women keep changing their words and minds all the time," said Devin.

    Aiden who was quiet for sometime reacted, "Oh for f**k's sake Al..."

    "Aiden!" Selma interrupted him.

    "Oh for the love of God, just do it. I need to go to bed soon," he said.

    "Yeah, we have to watch this before going to bed," said Iona.

    "What? I don't want an audience!"

    "How do we get to confirm that you kissed then?" Devin was grinning widely.

    "I quit! I am not playing. This is going to be too embarrassing, kiss or no kiss." I wanted to dig a hole in the wall near me and escape.

    "DO IT!" They said in a chorus.

    "He is probably in that vixen's arms," I hesitated.

    "Let's look for him. We will hide once you find him," Devin had a twinkle in his eyes. He is 17. I don't think he ever kissed a girl. At least that's the impression I am getting from his excitement.

    I silently cursed them as I got up to look for Marcus. I hoped that he was in bed already. We passed the hallway where he burst my bubble just an hour ago. Fire and dozens of candles were still burning everywhere. I was leading the way with others slightly behind when I turned right. There he was, coming out of his study/meeting room and stepping into the hallway. I turned to look for others and they already hid successfully. Gee!

    "Marcus"

    "What now?" Marcus sighed.

    "I-.."

    My heart was racing and I didn't know how to go about this. I was too scared to stand close to him, let alone grab his face and kiss him. 

    "Yeah?" He looked at me with those sharp green eyes and I got lost in them.

    "Allena! I don't have all night."

    "I don't know how to..." I faltered.

    "You want the wedding to be canceled?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

    "No"

    "Then?" He moved forward to stand closer to me. 

    I looked at his sensual lips and ruggedly handsome features. I quickly looked away because he was also studying my face in silence. His eyes narrowed further and he was beginning to look irritated when words failed me. 

    "OK, I have to go. You can practice speaking tonight and tell me tomorrow." He turned back to close the study room door. I touched his arm to stop him from leaving and planted a soft kiss on his lips. He was tall and it was not possible to kiss him longer unless he bent down. I avoided eye contact and turned around quickly to run from there. 

    He grabbed my waist from behind and turned me forcibly to face him. My toes curled and a fire ignited within as soon as his lips touched mine. He turned it into a wild and deep kiss full of passion. Tingling sensations shot up straight to my core and my knees could no longer support my body. He picked me up and wrapped my thighs around him while I placed my elbows on his powerfully built shoulders and continued to kiss like there was no tomorrow. 

    I pulled away for air and he came to his senses suddenly. He put me down and stepped away from me in surprise.

    "What the hell, Allena?!" His voice was laced with anger and he punched the wall next to me.

    There was more noise in the hallway and whispers that grew louder before Devin got pushed into view. He smiled awkwardly at the two of us and asked Marcus if the washroom was in the hallway.

    "What's happening here?" Marcus asked me in confusion. His breathing was still uneven, so was mine.

    "I wanted to tell you that I was dared to kiss you." 

    I never saw Marcus look this pissed before. He punched the wall one more time and left.

    "Touch me again and I will make you regret it," he said before leaving.