Chapter 8
1077 Words
Arlenna's POV
I turned slowly as I found Orion standing right behind me. My heart beating against my chest like it wanted to scream out the truth.
I wondered why it bothered him, why he looked at me like that, like I was doing something wrong as Nimara wanted me to go with her.
"My love," Nimara's voice chimed behind me, sweet and giddy.
She walked up to Orion with the kind of joy I could never pretend to feel.
She kissed him, not caring that I stood there, not even noticing how my body stiffened at the sight.
I cleared my throat and moved down the stairs, step by step, trying not to fall apart.
I stopped by the corridor and folded my arms, keeping my eyes on the wall instead of them. It was easier that way.
"It’s a crime for the groom to see his bride before the wedding, my love," Nimara said, brushing Orion’s cheek with the back of her hand.
Her voice was light, playful.
“So who’s better suited to come with me than your sister?"
She turned to face me with that bright smile again.
I forced a weak smile in return.
Through the corner of my eye, I saw mother watching. Her eyes were sharp, calculating. That was one thing she’d always been good at. Reading me like a book I didn’t want opened.
"But..." Orion started.
"But Anastasia can go with you," he added quickly, giving Nimara a smile.
"I'm not complaining," I said, steadying my voice as I looked directly at him.
I didn’t understand why he seemed so nervous about it. What was he afraid of?
Did he think I was going to tell Nimara I was his mate and with his child?
"But you—" he began, but mother stepped in before he could finish.
"She isn’t complaining, Orion dear," Mother said, walking towards us with a gracious smile that never touched her eyes. "It would even do your sister some good."
She stopped in front of Nimara, her hand lightly touching her shoulder. "You’ll look so beautiful that day, my love."
I said nothing. I just folded my arms tighter and watched the show.
Nimara walked over to me, smiling like the world was hers and nothing could go wrong.
Orion stood behind her, still staring at me. I felt his eyes follow me as we walked out the front door.
The ride was quiet at first, just the sound of the car engine humming as we drove. Then Nimara turned to me, with her eyes shining like a girl in a fairytale.
"Anastasia said you’re yet to find your mate," she said.
I blinked, I was surprised. Mother had told her that?
"Oh," I said, gulping hard.
My tongue pressed against the back of my teeth, counting them silently. Anything to keep my mouth busy.
"I... I don’t think I’m ready yet," I finally said.
"Love is beautiful, Arlenna," Nimara said, squeezing my hand. "Can’t you see how I’m bubbling around Orion? I feel so happy with him, and I’m so glad we’ll be sisters. I’ve always wanted someone to share my secrets with."
She giggled, her joy dancing around her like sunlight. It wasn’t fake. It was real. That’s what made it hurt more.
I just nodded and smiled faintly. I wanted the journey to end quickly. I wanted to close my eyes and not wake up until it was all over.
"But lately, I’ve noticed Orion has been off," Nimara said suddenly.
I choked.
"O...off? How?" I asked.
"Like... distracted. Haven’t you noticed it? You’re his sister. Do you think something’s bothering him?"
"Me?... Oh... no... I mean... no," I stammered.
I couldn’t even put a proper sentence together. How could I tell her the truth? That I was the very reason he was distracted?
That the baby in my belly was his, and not some faceless mistake Mother could pin on another man?
"I’m actually happy he moved the wedding closer," Nimara said, with her dreamy voice. "I can’t wait to be marked by him."
My heart tightened.
"And I can tell he feels the same way too. What do you think?" she asked.
What did I think? I thought I was living in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.
I thought the man she was about to marry, the one she called her love, was mine.
But I couldn’t say that.
So I smiled again. Weak, lifeless.
"I think he’s lucky to have you," I said.
Because what else could I say, when I was the secret he wasn’t allowed to love?
Just in time, we arrived at the designer's store.
The moment we stepped in, I felt my breath hitch. The place was like something out of a royal dream.
It was huge, beautiful, and everything smelled of roses and expensive perfume.
Nimara gasped in excitement. “Arlenna, look at all these dresses!”
I nodded, standing back as she walked further in, her fingers trailing along the racks of delicate fabrics.
She was glowing, full of energy and excitement like a little girl in a candy shop.
“They're all so gorgeous,” she said after twirling in another lace gown. “I didn’t know picking a dress would be this hard.”
“They all look good on you,” I said quietly, leaning against a mirrored pillar by the corner.
She sighed. “I need something that would steal Orion’s breath away the moment he sees me walking down the aisle.”
I swallowed hard. The thought pierced somewhere deep inside me, but I said nothing.
While she continued trying on dresses like a fairy-tale princess, I slowly wandered through the aisles.
My fingers lightly touched the fabrics as I walked past ivory silks and blush chiffons. Then, I stopped.
There it was.
A dress that caught my eyes like a secret meant for me.
It wasn’t as flashy as the others, but something about it pulled at my soul.
It hung simply, with soft lace on the shoulders and a delicate pearl trail down the back. The kind of gown you’d imagine under the full moon.
I couldn’t move. I just stood there, staring.
Nimara came up behind me and followed my gaze. “That looks perfect, doesn’t it?” she said.
I exhaled slowly. “It’s my dream dress.”
She smiled. “That’s what I want.”
“What?”
- Writer
