A Sea Of Bloody Hearts

№5|Red Wine and White Candles

-‘๑’-Book 1-‘๑’-

№5|Red Wine and White Candles
>───⇌••⇋───<

“Queenie,” Miriana said as she sat beside her sister at one of the tables, “let's say you have to choose between two things.” She noticed the candles, one white and the other red, and pulled them closer to her.

“Red was sweet, kind, and great at first-”

“At first?” Queenie asked.

“Yeah, but now, Red is ruthless, rude, hurtful, degrading.” Miriana whimpered, gazing at the flickering flame atop the candle.

“But then I got the White. White is soft, sensual, caring, loving, makes me feel things I didn’t know were possible!” When she felt her cheeks flushed, she covered them with her hands. “My heart can’t contain itself around White sometimes.”

“Sounds like White is the clear winner,” Queenie said, sipping from her glass of wine.

“Right, but I promised Red I’d keep its candle.” Miriana tried her best to hide the situation from her sister, but the sly look in Queenie’s eyes told her she wasn’t succeeding.

“Miri,” Queenie stroked her hand, “if you love White – if you love Charles – then go be with him.”

“But I promised Red-”

“It doesn't matter what you promised Soren.” Queenie locked her gaze on the claw marks on her sister’s arm. “Look at what he does to you!”

“That wasn't Soren. I fell down the stairs,” Miriana lied, hoping her sister believed her.

Queenie sighed, shaking her head. “You're lying, Miri."

“Am not!” Miriana grew defensive.

“Are too!” Queenie leaned in. “Look, Miri, I won't be mad at you. Just tell me if things are unbearable between you and Soren.”

Miriana whimpered. “Miri,” Queenie smiled softly at her little sister, “that dragon is in love with you and you know it. You love what he does to you and he loves what you do to him. So for the love of the gods and goddess, dump Soren and go with the dragon!”

Miriana bit her lip, turning back to lock eyes with Charles from across the room. Heat rushed up to her cheek as her heart fluttered.

Charles smiled widely at Miriana, basking in her beauty. He quickly blew a kiss, causing her blush to heighten.

“There you are, Miriana.” Soren's tight grip on her shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts. “I was wondering where you ran off to.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You were supposed to come with me and talk to the High Officials of Spain, not associate with these scum,” he whispered harshly.

Queenie glared at her sister’s husband-to-be. “Soren! Where have you been? I've been on this boat for a whole day now, and you haven't even greeted me?” She placed her hand on her heart, gasping dramatically. “That's no way to greet your extended family.”

“Always a delight, Queenie.” Soren smiled, hugging his soon to be sister-in-law. “I assume you're not only here for your sister's wedding?”