Having lost the man she loved to the cold clutches of suicide, Amara's impulsive decision to join him leads her to accept the marriage proposal of a mysterious stranger she shares a drink with at a bar.
Xelan's weddings were an awful affair, with ea...
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Amara wasn't quite sure of the expression she had on her face. But it seemed to make Lyle tut.
"Don't look at me that way. I come in peace," he said, striding up to her, a lazy smile on his face. She met his eyes, the unbridled condescension in them making her insides burn.
"You're not welcome," she hissed, her jaw painfully tight. She couldn't remember when last she had felt this much hate towards a person.
His brows raised slightly as he inched even closer. "Is that so?" he asked, the words posed more as a challenge than a question. She was about to reply, unfazed by his tone, but she felt a hand grip her arm tight.
"Sir Lyle, welcome," Ida chimed in beside her, curtsying low and dragging her along with her. Amara struggled out of her hold but she only tightened it. Lyle chuckled at the scene.
"Ah, Ida. At least you are happy to see me. The lady of the house seems to despise my presence."
She rose back up, her hand never leaving Amara's arm. "Of course not. Please forgive her. She's still quite shaken by the Aftermath and her husband's condition."
Lyle hummed, regarding both women and the hateful look on Amara's face then sighed. "Of course, I understand."
He reached out to take Amara's hand. She tried to recoil but Ida nudged her captive hand forward for him to accept. She glared at the audacious woman, incensed by her blatant disregard but faltered when she saw the silent rage burning in her eyes that she couldn't hide. Lyle clasped both hands in his, stroking them lightly.
"It must be quite tedious dealing with all those emotions. I do feel your pain," his tone got even colder as he continued. "But you must understand that our ways here are unwavering and far different from that of your world."
He raised a hand to her face, and she flinched back. He smiled at her feeble attempts at rebellion. "It would do you well to learn that, for your husband's sake."
He let go of her hand, straightening. "Don't worry, I'm feeling rather gracious today. How about we try this again?" He walked back out, a mocking smile on his face as he shut the door behind him. Then gave a swift knock on the large oak doors.
"That crazy son of a..." Her words were cut short when Ida spun her.
"Save your breath. Voices carry through the walls. Right into his ears," the woman hissed, her fingers gripping harder till Amara winced. "The moment he walks in again, you will step in as the lady of the house and treat him as an esteemed guest. Do you understand?"
Even if she wanted to disagree, the stern look Ida gave and her surprisingly strong grip made her still. As did the fact that she knew she was right; she couldn't afford to slight someone that powerful and cruel. But it was hard to keep any rational thought in her head when her bond to Xelan raged a vengeful fire that could only be doused by blood; Lyle's preferably. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to reign her acrimonious feelings. Once she had a semi-steady hold over her emotions, she opened her eyes to give Ida a hard, determined look.
