Keep Your Enemies Closer

A Confrontation of Honesty and Integrity

'

What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful' - Scott Westerfeld

Donovan found her later that afternoon, mindlessly reading a book in her room. She'd found it in the library when wandering aimlessly, about some evil conqueror and his queen. It did little to distract her mind from her interaction with Fabian which had left her confused and reeling. She had tried to speak to him after half an hour of jogging around the yard but a soldier had stopped her, telling her Fabian wished to be alone. So basically - go away. Fine, she had decided, marching back to the Palace. Everly had been busy with Gladys in the City so she had been doing basically nothing, just drinking glass after glass of lemon water to keep herself hydrated. Her mind had been going around in circles about Donovan and what Fabian had accused him of. Did she really care what he did in his spare time though? After all, she was planning on killing him. Reyna didn't have the right to be bothered if he was with other women. Or make it fit into some moral code she had. Oh, she was despicable. She buried her head in a pillow, savouring its coolness on her face. 

The traitorous thoughts kept pushing to the surface of her malevolent mind. She couldn't stop pondering endlessly about Fabian. Fabian, who had trained with her, flirted with her, made her laugh - 

She'd never seen him like that. It wasn't until she'd seen him so angry that Reyna mourned how he'd been before and that she'd taken his friendship for granted. She'd grown too comfortable in this life. She needed to remember how life had been before and start making better choices. As soon as she killed Donovan, of course. 

The Prince made his entrance then, knocking before striding into the room, causing her to jump. The glass of lemon water was released out of her hand and was smashed to the floor. "Oh, I'm so sorry." Reyna apologised, flushing as maids burst in. Today wasn't her day, clearly. First the maid with the towels and now this. 

"Did I startle you?" Donovan asked as he settled into the chair beside her, a relaxed smile on his face as the maids began sweeping up shards of glass. Shame rushed through Reyna and she bent down to help, not wanting the poor women to cut themselves on her mistake. "You needn't not help." One of them murmured as Reyna gingerly took a shard into her palm. The other maids were staring at her wide eyed. Ladies were not supposed to do the jobs of servants. She wondered what Donovan thought but decided it was too risky to sneak a peek at his face. "No, it's my fault." She whispered back. "Please." 

Once they were done, Reyna settled back into her chair, setting the book aside on a small table. Donovan was observing her curiously. "You didn't have to do that, you know."

"I know." She replied almost too quickly. "But it was my fault and I should take responsibility for that." 

"Hmm." He said, the sound coming from deep in his throat. "I always forget you were raised commonly." 

She offered a small self deprecating laugh, brushing aside the slight sting of the words she couldn't explain. "Was there anything you wanted?" She asked. The energy between them...felt different. Reyna felt more alert after their kiss last night, aware of his every move. She wondered if he was aware of hers. "There is, actually." 

"Oh?"

"You mentioned you had a sister in this city."

"I-yes." Reyna shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She hadn't visited Nova since that first time although she'd promised to. Although she longed to with every core of her being, she knew the vows she had made to the Witches. Either by the end of the Prince's Hand she would be dead herself or the man sitting beside her would be and she'd be left with no choice but to flee - likely to Ashur. It was easier this way, for her family. Perhaps it would hurt less. Besides, Nova was smart. She'd eventually figure out Reyna's role in the situation and realise the promises she had made under the watchful eye of the Valbara forests. By that point, her sister would detest her anyway. Everyone would, actually. 

"I'd like to meet her." Donovan said warmly, tapping his foot against the expensive oak chair. Reyna blinked. Once, then twice. "You do?" She had to fight from stumbling from over the words in her surprise. He nodded and it was then that she noticed he looked more dressed up than he usually did - and he was always dressed up being a Prince and all that came with it. Something lit in her chest at the realisation and she couldn't stop her lips tugging up slightly. It was...sweet. Sweet that he thought meeting her sister was worth the effort. 

"Well then. How can I refuse?" 

They took a carriage across the city, avoiding the long walk it would take on foot - and likely the attention they would bring. Reyna found herself distracted as they made idle conversation , giving one word answers before returning her attention to the window and the bustle of the street. So many lives, entwined with one another like threads all linked in one great tapestry they call the world. She wondered what her thread would be, if it would be inconsequential and black or not be there at all but discarded on the floor. Stupid thoughts that made no sense and would likely be dubbed as insane if she dared mutter them. She smiled politely at Donovan as she gestured to her sister's house. "Welcome to her humble abode." 

"Humble?" He laughed under his breath. "I wasn't aware your sister married a wealthy man. A businessman my Father associates with, actually." 

"Oh?" She didn't know anything about Nova's husband, now she considered it. After reading the room on the subject, she had left it alone. "And is he a good man?" She asked, in a half jokey tone as she tossed her dark hair over a shoulder to grin back at him. "He's very work motivated, I know that. He sleeps around, a lot I hear. I'm not sure it's true though. Until now, I was unaware he even had a wife." He replied, looking something close to embarrassed. 

"And do you? Sleep around?" She said slowly, drawing the words out. The atmosphere suddenly changed, tension coating the air, her breath. Suspense wrapped its chains around her heart as she anxiously waited his response. He drew in a breath. Then another. They'd stopped at the front door and she sneaked a glance inside finding an empty hallway before turning her attention back to the Prince. "No. Not since...no." He exhaled and Reyna felt it in her bones as a huge weight was lifted.

"I'm hurt you asked, honestly. I thought you knew." He scratched the back of his neck as he looked at her and she felt bad for even asking. "Who - did anyone say something?" His words were edged and gritty as he observed her, as if he could see what she was thinking. Reyna contemplated revealing it was Fabian. Yet, if she did, it would cause a rift between all of them which was the last thing she wanted at the moment with it already being tense.

If Reyna was being honest, deep down, she just didn't want to risk losing him. Regardless of what he said was true or false. Maybe he was wrong about Donovan and she wouldn't have to choose one over the other. 

"No." She lied, the words coming out easily, silky smooth. Donovan continued to look over her, sensing she wasn't telling the truth. He opened his mouth, maybe to press her further but she interrupted him. Reyna realised a little too late she shouldn't have interrupted the Prince but she didn't stop or show her mistake even as her cheeks bloomed with colour. "It's just...I really like you and there's so many beautiful girls. Prettier than me." She swallowed, forcing herself to carry on. "I'm just scared there's others in your life and you don't like me the way I like you. That's all."

She avoided his gaze, instead turning her focus to the floor. Playing the part of the scared lonely Reyna who resided in within her, who refused to leave. Who still whispered she was worthless. She allowed Donovan see part of this vulnerable side of her if only for the sake of her performance. She swallowed, fidgeting with her fingers, heart hammering. She heard the sound of his boots and then the shadow of his form as he tilted her head up to look at him. 

"You're perfect." He breathed. "I thought that the kiss yesterday would show you how I feel about you. I'm not good at putting feelings into words. I prefer action. Gestures. To show how I feel. I'm sorry if I hadn't been more clear on that."

"Don't be sorry." She whispered, giving him a small smile.

"Men would wager kingdoms only to fight for one more of your smiles." He brushed his fingers to her mouth, tracing the shape. She willed herself to draw closer to him, ignoring the twisting feeling in her gut. Then he replaced his fingers with his mouth, brushing her lips softly, briefly, before pulling away. "Shall I meet your sister then?" He asked, stepping back. 

Reyna forced herself to nod. "Yes, of course." As she knocked on the door, she wondered if she'd just made the situation entirely worse.