DAGON MANSION

CHAPTER FORTY: MEETINGS

Mia lay awake, fury knotting her chest. Sleep refused her; every time she closed her eyes, she saw Ryan with Theolinda — his hands on her, his voice whispering tenderness meant for Mia alone.

He should be here. With me.

Her pillow muffled her silent sob, and she clenched it, striking it once, twice, until her arms trembled. The longing in her stomach wasn't just desire — it was love aching without relief, a wound that pulsed with every heartbeat.

Finally exhaustion dragged her under.

In another room, Ryan and Theolinda shared warmth after their shower, hair damp, skin still glowing.
"Incredible, isn't it?" Theolinda murmured.
Ryan's eyes softened. "Sleep later," he whispered, voice velvet-dark. "Mrs. Dagon, I'm not finished loving you tonight."

Their kiss held promise and devotion — two souls who had fought fate and won, if only for now. Their laughter was breathless. Their closeness, inevitable. When they finally lay still, tangled in sheets and each other, peace settled around them like a blessing.

Xena woke to a quiet heaviness in the air. Something was wrong.

She slipped from Brisa's warm embrace and padded down the hall. Mia opened the door almost instantly, hope flashing — then dying — when she saw it wasn't Ryan.

Her face crumpled. Xena caught her.

"I know," Xena whispered. "Jealousy hurts worst when love is real."

"Don't leave me tonight," Mia breathed, voice raw.
"Never," Xena replied.

They lay together, not lovers, but two women who understood heartbreak far too well. Xena held her as one might hold a trembling bird, offering silence, warmth, and presence — the softest kind of mercy.

Morning light crept into Brisa's room; she woke alone. Before worry could take root, she saw Xena returning from Mia's room.

Brisa's eyes narrowed — then softened into a knowing smile.

"Tell me the truth," she teased. "Did you comfort her by seducing her?"

Xena blinked, scandalized. "Brisa — no — I—"

Brisa laughed softly, touching her cheek.

"I trust you. And Mia only has space in her heart for Ryan. The poor girl bleeds devotion."

Relief loosened Xena's shoulders. She kissed Brisa, gratitude and desire intertwined.

Later, Scarlett squealed with joy when Ryan appeared at her door.

"Daddy!"

She flew into his arms; he lifted her easily, breathing her in as though she were the air he'd been deprived of.

"I'll be here a few days," he whispered. His voice cracks on "a few days" — Scarlett doesn't notice, but Mia does. "But we'll play a quiet game. I'll hide in the secret passages if the police come. You mustn't tell anyone." 

"I promise," Scarlett whispered solemnly, tiny hand on his cheek, worlds of trust in her eyes.

Mia watched from the hallway, heart aching — not with jealousy, but yearning.

For a life that could have been.

For a place in his arms, and in that small, sacred father-daughter circle.

More than passion. More than desire.

She wanted family.

She wanted him.

And wanting him was the most beautiful pain she'd ever known.