5. Siderus

Amaya"s name hangs in the still night air, pulling me forcibly from the haze of desire brought on by her kiss. I wrench away as if doused in icy water to see none other than an unmasked Rafthin Liaric standing tensely several feet away, glaring at me with unconcealed fury etched across his features.

Amaya gasps softly beside me, shrinking back against the cool stone of the bench. My mind races, thoughts disjointed. Though his name came easily, my brain is having a hard time placing him as he begins stalking toward us like a coiled spring ready to unleash violence.

Then it hits me. Rafthin, firstborn son and heir to the Marquis. He's a full-blooded dark elf, but now I'm starting to wonder if all the Marquis' family is. If he's this interested in Amaya then that could only mean the alluring beauty I only just discovered must be?—

"Step away from my sister," Rafthin growls, interrupting my revelation.

Sister. The word sends a spike of shock through my core even as the pieces begin to fall into place. Amaya, this tempting siren who has so thoroughly enthralled me, she is the Marquis"s own precious daughter, kept hidden away all these years. I"ve stumbled upon something invaluable without even trying.

Possibilities race through my mind, plans formulating even as I keep my expression smooth. The Marquis"s greatest vulnerability, his beloved child ripe for exploitation—I cannot have orchestrated things more perfectly.

"I meant no disrespect," I respond deferentially, slowly rising to face Rafthin while maintaining a non-threatening distance from Amaya. "I was merely enjoying a lively conversation with the lady, no harm intended."

"I won"t ask you again—step away from her," Rafthin repeats, biting off each word while continuing to advance. His hands are balled into tight fists at his sides, every line of his body broadcasting barely-leashed violence. He looks ready to rend me limb from limb for daring to lay hands on his sweetly naive sister.

"Of course, forgive my boldness," I acquiesce smoothly with a bow,

Rafthin"s hand locks around Amaya"s arm and he begins dragging her away, lecturing furiously. "What were you thinking? Sneaking off alone with a stranger? Father would be outraged if he knew."

Amaya averts her eyes, abashed. "I just wanted a taste of freedom for one night, to be a part of everything."

Her voice is small but I detect the faintest hint of rebellion still. Rafthin scoffs. "This was foolishness. You are going directly back to your rooms."

As he pulls her past me, our eyes meet briefly. Hers are swirling with regret and longing now that our stolen moment has been interrupted. It twists something inside me unexpectedly.

I had not meant to use her, had been simply caught up in her allure same as she in mine. But her identity changes everything. The Marquis"s precious daughter, knowledge I can exploit to tear him down utterly.

The realization is bitter acid on my tongue. I should rejoice at this perfect weapon handed to me by chance. Instead, I am haunted by the softness of her lips, the lyrical sound of her laughter in the moonlit garden. Emotion has no place in vengeance, yet try as I might, I cannot simply view Amaya as a tool.

She disappears inside with Rafthin, leaving me alone amongst the tagetes. I should return immediately to my true purpose here, ransacking the Marquis"s study. But I find myself rooted in place, wavering uncharacteristically.

Finally, I take off after them, turning down the corridor that I originally found Amaya in. Faintly, I hear their voices, and I follow them until I'm close enough to make out what they are saying again.

I trail behind Rafthin and Amaya as he drags her forcibly back inside, keeping to the shadows. His hissed words of reprimand reach my ears, echoing off the stone corridors.

"Reckless, foolish girl. Do you have any idea the danger you"ve put yourself in tonight?"

Amaya's head is tipped up, staring at her brother. "I'm tired of just being locked up all the time," she protests.

Rafthin scoffs, and he pulls her closer. Even in his anger, I can see he is doing this out of care, protection. "Nights like tonight are dangerous for those like you. This risk was beyond stupid. What if your mask had slipped off among the crowd, exposing your secret for all to see?"

I creep closer, brow furrowing in thought as I dissect Rafthin"s words. Those like you...why must Amaya"s identity be protected so diligently, her very nature kept hidden away? She is the Marquis" daughter, yes, but my curiosity is piqued despite myself. There is more to her enforced secrecy than simply being family.

What deep secret does she harbor that requires such caution? As they sweep on ahead of me, Amaya glancing anxiously over her shoulder, my mind spins with questions. Is she perhaps illegitimate, the forbidden product of some scandalous affair?

No, Rafthin named her sister openly. Then what makes her so vulnerable, so precious that she must be locked away and disguised?

I itch to uncover the full truth. But I force patience upon myself. Tonight has already brought an unexpected opportunity; the Marquis"s hidden daughter delivered into my hands through mere chance. I must not get distracted from my original vengeance.

Still, curiosity whispers that Amaya could prove far more useful than anticipated. A trove of insider knowledge about her father likely awaits, if I can gain her trust. Yes, getting close to the sheltered Amaya may provide the perfect inroad for dismantling the Marquis"s empire...

So why does the thought make my stomach twist?

I trail Rafthin and Amaya up a sweeping staircase to an isolated wing far removed from the ongoing revelries. As we reach a long, empty corridor, Amaya suddenly whirls to face her brother, wrenching her arm from his grasp.

"I don"t need you manhandling me, Rafthin!" she snaps, reaching up to yank off her mask in a fit of anger.

I freeze as her face is revealed and I can see what I hadn't before—rounded human ears, widened nose, full lips that mark her unmistakably as human beneath the failing glamour meant to disguise her. It clings to her skin, but that's all that makes her look like a dark elf without the mask. Shock roots me in place even as Rafthin lets out a strangled sound, grasping for her mask.

"Amaya, what are you doing?" he hisses. "Anyone could have seen!"

She ignores him, pushing past to stride down the hall, radiating fury and wounded pride. My mind reels, struggling to incorporate this new reality. The Marquis"s precious daughter, the one he has secreted away...is human?

Rafthin runs anxious hands through his hair before hurrying after Amaya. "You must be more cautious, sister. Discovery would mean the end of everything."

Amaya"s shoulders slump slightly in acknowledgment as she reaches a door, Rafthin still scolding behind her. She glances back once more, and for a heart-stopping moment our eyes meet. Hers widen in recognition, lips parting in dismay.

Then Rafthin is there, urging her inside, and the door shuts between us, cutting off her shocked gaze. With the door shut, he strolls off in the opposite direction, deeper into the manor, leaving me alone.

I sag against the wall, breathless. The Marquis" weakness is now clear - he has a human child within his family, and hidden the scandalous truth. This revelation changes everything. I now hold power beyond measure in my hands.

Yet even as ruthless ambition thrums through me, I cannot erase the memory of Amaya"s warmth, the rightness I felt holding her. She poses a grave new temptation...one I may not have the strength to resist.

I stare at Amaya"s door, mind reeling from the revelation. She is human - everything makes sense now. The Marquis" desperate need for secrecy, the isolation and disguise. He has taken a human child into the bosom of his family and hidden the truth.

This changes everything. With one careless word I could bring the Marquis to his knees, destroy his status and reputation. The power is intoxicating...and yet, hollow.

Because despite this advantage now in my hands, I cannot erase the memory of Amaya"s warmth, her quick laughter and clever wit. The rightness I felt holding her slender form close beneath the moonlight.

I force myself to turn away, feet heavy as I retreat from Amaya"s chambers. I should be reveling in triumph; the key to the Marquis"s downfall delivered through mere chance. Instead, turmoil racks me.

She poses a grave new temptation, this captivating creature who has enthralled me so completely in such a short time. I want nothing more than to return to her side, explore the growing connection between us.

But she is also my enemy"s beloved daughter, the very weakness I can exploit to ruin him. She represents both formidable power...and terrible vulnerability.

I exit the manor and stride quickly through the gardens, the night"s chill helping clear my conflicted thoughts. As much as my traitorous heart wants Amaya, she is the means to achieve vengeance, a vengeance I have devoted years pursuing.

I cannot allow myself to be swayed from my purpose now, when I am so close. No matter the simmering desire she ignites, or the unbidden tenderness that arises when I think of her. Amaya must simply remain a piece to be played in this game of retribution, no matter the cost.