Word Count: 1501

~Millicent

Her gentle fingers draw each trestle back, tucking them behind my ear with adept precision.

I catch her eye in the mirror. She is so innocent, my little Lucy. She's a gift I'm grateful for, who is almost always by my side. Almost. Perhaps her family miss her. She doesn't seem to care so much any more. Lucy has realised her life here - with me - is much better.

"Do you actually enjoy your hours in the temple?" Lucy asks, tightening the braid she created in the tips of her fingers.

I have priorities in the temple most mornings; especially today, being a Sunday on mortal ground. It's not something I'm particularly fond of. It's the Independence Pack that gather together to sing to me on this day.

"Quite," I say smoothly, pinning down a wrinkle on my dress. "It's such an honour."

Lucy smiles down at me. A picture of innocence. A gift from my mate. He's so peculiar, doing these things for me. He so clearly wants my heart, but what separates us is more than sinister.

The girl leans over me, a thick puff attached to her fingers by a satin band, dusted in a crimson powder. I allow her to apply it to my cheeks. A picture of blushing innocence, a damsel in distress trapped in her tower by a larger entity. Let all think I need saving, protecting. That's the key to the facade.

My captor isn't tangible. He isn't material. He is preternatural, ethereal.

But, like anything, there are weaknesses. One's I've been planning to exploit for some time now. It takes time, though, and patience. Both of which I've spent many months perfecting. It's the small priorities that will help me succeed.

Lucy glides a wand covered in thick gloss across my lips while she speaks. "Someone is waiting for you out in the foyer."

I raise my gaze to meet hers in the mirror. "Her?"

She nods, lips tight. We don't have to speak her name to know who requests my presence. I'm not sure why my mate sends this woman to address me. It seems I can't escape him, no matter how much security guards my door. And Sinful, my mate, is as stubborn as ever. His endeavours get him nowhere.

Lucy leaves me be while I finish pulling on my dress. I'm not particularly happy about addressing this uninvited guest in such an outfit, however, I'm left with no choice.

Plus, Sinful will be watching. It's important he sees me like this.

I see her, waiting in the foyer, head bowed. With a flick of my fingers, my guards and escorts leave the room to wait outside. I have limited time before they take me to the temple, where I will assume my position as the Moon Goddess. It's a costume I put on whenever it is required.

"Anyone would think you're obsessed with me," I comment, standing firmly in the middle of the foyer, the crystal chandelier above my head glistening sharply.

The woman stands. Analia.

I make her come to me. It's the simple ways of assuming my position, letting her know she isn't welcome here. Sinful's tactic, to send a woman I could perhaps bond with. He doesn't know I can see him through her eyes. I see the subtle hint of lavender that suggests he is using her as a vessel of sight.

She is beautiful, though. I admire in private, those long, flowing strands of reddish hair. It's so immaculate, in the way it's pinned to frame that long, angular face. Sinful isn't aware that I simply use her for entertainment, as something artistic to look at.

"Hope I didn't interrupt anything." Analia says, her smile like pure poison. That's how I see it, anyway.

I notice her glance over my shoulder.

Lucy is behind me. She never leaves my side as the only person I can trust. I can hear the patter of her footsteps as she too abandons the room. No one likes to witness my rather callous dismissal of this woman. They don't see what I see.

"I was just about to attend my Sunday ritual at the temple. Faye awaits me," I say simply, tucking my hands behind my back. Precious Faye, Alpha of the Independence Pack. The girl needs a better hobby than singing to me each day.

It's a careful dance between Analia and I. Sinful cannot see me be crass or harsh. He still sees me as the perfect, innocent princess trapped by her cruel captor.

"I wanted to give you something," she tells me.

Grinding my teeth, I watch her pull a letter out from behind her back. My fingers clench the fabric of my skirts, as I hesitate. Sinful isn't the only one always watching. He isn't the only pair of eyes that haunt this place, lurk through the halls. If they see this exchange, consequences will surely take place.

"I'm not allowed material items. You know that," I say sweetly, looking directly into her eyes. In her voice, in her eyes, Sinful is there. It tugs at my heart, admittedly, but I am not weak, and I will not put myself and him in danger.

"Hide it," she drawls, stepping forward, hips rolling, tone suggestive. "It can be our little secret."

Analia flirts with me often.

I'm often perplexed by her advances. It is either her own actions, or Sinful is the driving force behind it. Regardless, it's always interested me, but I won't let the tug of sensual emotions get the best of me.

"I'm not going to take it," I tell her firmly. No note is worth the consequences of disrupting the current calm that has graced this place recently. Even if I am curious about what might be the content of this note. Sinful has tried to gift me a necklace, once, which I quite happily refused. But a note...

He has never tried to send me a note before. It's unnerving. It's the closest to direct contact we have had in years, and I'm curious what he would have to say to me.

"What's the worst that could happen?" she questions, waving it out in front of me.

My attention drifts for a single moment, and I snatch the note, scrunching it up in my hand. Later, I might read this. Maybe. I'll need to hide this, before he sees. If he sees, I would hate to know what would happen. It wouldn't be the first time I have been punished for stepping out of line.

Analia's smile stretches wide against her face. "You won't regret it. You know you can call for me whenever you please."

I want to glare at her, but instead, I smile.

"You know that's not an option," I say shortly. Guests are allowed, but only if they arrive on their own merit. I cannot call for friends. It could be deemed suspicious, and I'll be punished. I have to be clever about this.

Turning on my heel, I dismiss Analia in one movement. I disappear into my room for a moment, stuffing the paper under my pillow. It's a foolish place, but I'll worry about moving it later. For now, I'm late to the temple.

Coming back into the foyer, Analia hasn't moved. She approaches me again, and I have to reign all self control not to jerk away. Sinful must no by now I'm not particularly fond of her, and that I simply deal with her presence. A Goddess would never tell her to leave, so I remain gracious.

"Why don't you come with me. He's waiting for you," Analia says, holding her hand out to me like some kind of offering.

I look at her. Is she insane?

"Please get out of my way, I'm late," I prompt. Being polite doesn't seem relevant to Analia right now, as she grabs my arm. Her smile is bright, but her grip is strong. If I were to yank, I doubt her grasp on me would loosen. I don't let me expression slip. I simply look at her, eyebrows furrowed.

"How long are we going to keep doing this? He wants you. What are you afraid of?" she questions. Her seriousness unnerves me. She always seems so lighthearted, so seeing the way she is looking at me right now doesn't seem right.

"Please let go of me," I say slowly.

She hesitates, but finally, lets me go. I don't waste any time, pulling away. At this point, I don't care that I'm going to be late for the temple. Analia doesn't know how much danger she could be putting us both in. I won't explain it to her though. The moment I say his name, is the moment he becomes real.

I'm sorry Sinful. There's a lot more to this than you'll ever know about.

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If you're liking the story, head over to Radish, where this book is ten chapters ahead (:

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~Midika 💜🐼