The Alliance

Chapter 17

Ariah Gani

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside of my window and the sunlight gloriously pouring into my bedroom paving everything in its way in gold.

Huh, I wish.

I woke up to the sound of my ragged breathing. Air leaving my lungs in short gasps as the result of another nightmare. I sighed and for the nth consecutive night I turned to stare at the ceiling. Waiting for a yawn, droopy eyes or any tell-tale of sleep approaching.

But it never came. 

And the lack of the symptoms of possible rest led me out of bed roaming the hallways to the kitchen. I flipped the light switch, dim lighting now illuminating the large modern space. 

The house was still. The stillness telling me that Imaan was either asleep or out. Hopefully out. I'd spent enough awkward moments with her to last me a lifetime. Whether it was at our- sometimes- shared meals when she'd just stare at me as I ate with those intense hazel eyes that nearly got under my skin or just brushing past one another when even her covered touch made my stomach curl. I had come to the conclusion that I wanted nothing more than to not see her.

Opening the tap of the sink, I poured water into a crystal glass. I wondered how my family was doing. Especially Nezrah. Was my father already training her restlessly? Knowing him he was probably already planning her own proposal. Another alliance. Or was that a cup of poison prepared specially for me? 

I shivered at the reminder. Everything about this rubbing me the wrong way, I'd made it so obvious when the engagement was announced. Sure, I may have over-reacted, but can I really be blamed? I was single when I woke up and before the night ended I was engaged to someone I was supposed to hate- taught to hate by my parents.

The same parents that hadn't accepted my sexuality were the same parents that arranged me to marry a woman. No one had cared that I was queer representing until Imaan came into the picture and I couldn't help but question whether or not I'd even be in this situation if I had just kept my mouth shut and never came out? 

My hands tugged on my hair harshly as I aimlessly wandered halls I hadn't been down yet. I didn't know what I expected when I told them. These were the two people that were supposed to love me, but it never seemed like they ever even saw me until I was going to be of any use to them.

That's why I'd promised myself that I'd be there for Nez and Koe in ways I knew that they wouldn't. But how was I supposed to do that from here? I was safe- I'm not worried about Imaan- but they were most likely still living in agony. 

My father was already so hard on Koen which was something that I knew would only get progressively worse as he grew up. I wish I was there with him because whilst I didn't particularly enjoy my father and mother's antics, I wanted to be there for them.

If anything happened to my brother and sister- I would never be able to forgive myself. 

I paused my tour in front of large double doors at the end of the hall. And I pushed one open gently before I could psych myself out. An office was the last thing I had expected to find. A very nice office. The neutral theme of the rest of the house being continued throughout the spacious room, with walls lined with oak bookshelves that had been filled to the brim with books all sizes and a kitchenette tucked away in the corner, the room radiated comfort. 

But as my fingers traced the edge of the glass desk sitting in the center with floor to ceiling windows behind it, I was picking up the scent of secrets. And I've never been good at withstanding curiosity. 

I pulled the chair away from the table before taking a seat. Almost being lulled to sleep as soon as my butt met the soft cushion, but my drooping eyes immediately shot open as I saw the already sleeping figure of Imaan on the couch in front of a no longer burning fireplace. 

My heart raced as I got out of the chair, my feet making their own way towards her despite the warnings my brain was yelling out.

I cautiously took in her sleeping face. My head tilted as my eyes roamed over her features. I had been staring. For far longer than considered appropriate at the sight of her face that managed to be handsome yet beautiful at the same time. She looked so warm. And it wasn't just because of the mink quilt covering her body. My eyes fell to her pouting mouth.

The realization stirring something in the pit of my stomach, and I averted my gaze to find a hardcover book resting on the floor beside her head. 

As I bent down to pick it up a cold hand reached out halting my movements. I turned my head only to find hazel eyes staring directly into mine. "And here I was thinking it'd take you a while to warm up to me." She said with a tired, raspy chuckle. 

"What are you doing up at 3 am in the morning?" I questioned. It was my attempt at diverting the attention from myself. Regardless of my shaking voice and heating up cheeks that instantly gave me away- Imaan has never been that easy.

"I might just ask you the same thing." She sat up, her still latched hand pulling me closer to her. Close enough that her subtle cologne invaded my senses. My leg pressing against hers in an attempt to keep me upright. "What are you doing up at 3 am in the morning, Ariah?" A shiver ran down my spine at the way she whispered my name. "In my office nonetheless."

My eyes dropped from her eyes for a split second but the smirk that appeared on her face was enough to tell me that she caught it. Of course, she did. I don't think she ever missed anything.

"I-I" The feeling of her hand slowly curling around the back of my throat cut off my stuttering.

"I love leaving you speechless," She drawled out distracted by the view of my chest in front of her, "but you're going to have to use your words for me this time." I furrowed my eyebrows in defiance but the feeling of her other hand rubbing against my clothed core made the look melt off of my face.

"What?" She asked. "Are you shy now?" She pulled my hair away from my neck to kiss it. And I childishly whimpered as she nipped the tender flesh. What was I doing?

I pulled away quickly getting off her and blindly walking as far away from her before my back bumped into the wall of windows.

"I know that you want me, Ariah." She says as she stalks closer towards me. Her hand resting beside of my head making my heart pound loudly in my chest. I clenched my hands as not to reach out and touch her and allow them to wander all over the skin of her chest that was covered merely by a black short sleeve. 

"I don't." I told her but it was more like an affirmation to myself. Because I allowed her hand to travel down the length of me. The curves of my chest, the firmness of my stomach until it got where I truly wanted it.

"Really? This wet pussy says otherwise." She spoke and I muffled a moan. "You're soaking your underwear, baby." My hips subconsciously stuttered, chasing her hand as soon it left its place with a whine escaping my lips.

"I want you to beg for it, Ariah." I frowned in distaste not only at the whispered words but my actions. I wasn't supposed to be doing this. With my father's face appearing in my mind's eye I had nearly made the sensible decision to leave when the single word left my mouth.

"Please." It was a whisper- barely audible but it was enough and obvious to the both of us that it was all she was going to be getting- because she brought her body closer, and I know that I shouldn't have but I pulled her neck low enough for my lips to meet her lips.