novelxo Chapter 93
I watched as Aston stepped out of the car, his eyes fixed on Mara as she approached him. He looked both curious and slightly annoyed, I could not tell which one it was but I did not give a s***t, what I wanted him to clear up was if she was going with us or not. I was terrified of going alone with Aston on the trip but what I was more afraid of was going with the both of them.
Their bickering was non-ending. Their fights were completely unnecessary, being in the midst of both of them was completely suffocating, they were both bossy as hell and most importantly, I was not ready to die yet. If there was a river or any body of water around, I was sure as hell going to get drowned. Mara didn’t mind drowning me in a bowl of water if she got the chance to and it would drain all it energy having to fight for it life every corner that I turned.
I was at least a little safer in the palace, outside of it, not very much. Their eyes were still dancing around each other. Mara found the time to glare at me even while she was staring at Aston and I marvelled at the persistent hatred. Mara never faltered in her hatred for me, not even once. It was something that I could always count on and as bad as that was, it gave me a sick twisted sense of stability. I didn’t know how long or how much I was loved by any of the people I was surrounded with but I at least knew that Mara hated me enough to kill me and her hatred was going to last for as long as I posed a threat to her.
“What are you doing, Mara?” he asked, his voice firm and commanding. I had never known Aston to be a gentleman so I was not shocked at his tone at all neither was I shocked at Mara’s tone of response. She was equally as manner less as Aston and they were the perfect pair for each other.
“What are you doing here, Mara?” He asked again and got nothing but angry stares in return.
“With all that?” he added pointing at the boxes she was hauling as if she was never to return to the palace anymore. I used to be like her, she reminded me of my former self that was comfortable in wealth. Now I had nothing but the basics and my entire luggage looked like a gym bag. I wondered for a second if I was still going to be able to return to the life of luxury that I once led. I let myself worry about the secondary things for a minute. Things like the number of clothes I had, the kind of deodorant that I used, my perfumes, my shoes, my jewellery, would I still have a car to my name?
None of that was going to happen if I remained locked up in Aston’s Pack and spent the rest of my life being his s***e. I was going to have to worry less about the things I had and worry more about the things I didn’t what to loose. I snapped myself back to reality and tried to figure out what my fate would be.
“Give me an answer, Mara! I’m not talking to myself now, am I?” He half yelled and I watched to see if they were about to start yelling at each other like they did at the beach again but Mara stood her ground, her eyes flashing with determination.
“I’m coming with you, Aston. I’m not staying behind while Kira goes,” she said, her voice firm and resolute. I totally understood her point and if talking would not get me into more trouble than I probably was already in, then I would have suggested that Mara went with him instead. They were better off together in the middle of nowhere ripping each other’s throat apart.
Aston raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. He was clearly going to disagree with whatever she had to say and Mara did not exactly look like she was going to agree either so this conversation was going to take more than a minute. My mind drifted to Brax for a minute. I was dying to know what was currently running through his head. Whether he hated me or not. Whether I was now completely on my own or I still had someone at my side. I wondered what he thought about me now. I wondered what Aston told him. I wondered what his reaction would be if he actually found out. I snapped out of it as soon as I heard my name though. It brought me right out of my wonder world.
“Kira is going to do her job as a maid, Mara. She’s not going on a pleasure trip,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain and even in their argument, I was yet again reminded of my status in the palace.
Mara crossed her arms, her jaw set in defiance. I knew too well that she wasn’t going to buy that maid duties c***p. Mara was so much smarter than Aston gave her credit for. Women didn’t get insecure for no reason, there always had to be a trigger and Aston had done more than pulled the trigger, he had killed her with his continuous lies and she might not have enough evidence to push the truth out of him but she certainly was going to find out someday and that was what I dreaded the most. If Mara found out the real truth about what went down between Aston and I, she would have my head on a f***g tray and she won’t be
sorry.
“I don’t care. I’m coming with you, and that’s final,” she said, her voice firm and unyielding. She was determined to go with us and Aston was determined to make her do the exact opposite. What I was waiting to find out was who was going to win this battle of will.
Aston sighed, his patience wearing thin. “Mara, return to the palace. You’re staying behind, and that’s final,” he said, his voice firm and authoritative but it looked like Mara was used to hearing all of that already. She was completely unfazed by his words or the cruel tone of his voice..
Or not.
Mara’s face crumpled, and she began to sob. I felt a surge of second hand embarrassment as the maids and guards watched, their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them. I knew they would run with this, and I was tired of being involved in gossip again. Especially one like this, it was completely embarrassing.
Aston glanced at the palace, and the unpaid and unsolicited spectators quickly dispersed.
“Mara, you’re embarrassing yourself,” he said, his voice firm but slightly softer. He was not wrong but his tone couldn’t be more wrong. She was weeping like a widow whose only child just died and it was truly nothing to be proud of. Even I felt like running away and going somewhere to hide so I could only imagine how Aston felt being her mate and all. The maids were going to have a freaking field day with this information. It was going to go round and round in circles until there was no one in the palace that didn’t know Mara didn’t cry her eyes out because Aston didn’t take on her a trip that he was going with
Kira.
I spoke up, my voice firm and resolute. “Why can’t she come, Aston? What’s the harm in bringing her along?” I asked, my eyes fixed on his. I knew that I was overstepping but if I could get Mara to come then just maybe, they would both be too busy arguing to remember that I existed. It was not a full proof plan but it was an idea.
Aston turned to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Why do you want her to come so badly, Kira?” he asked, his voice firm and slightly accusatory.
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.
“I just don’t want to be away from her, I suppose,” I said, my voice casual. It was a horrible lie that tasted horrible on tongue.
Aston raised an eyebrow, his expression sceptical and annoyed. “The trip will only take three days, Kira. You’ll survive,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
He turned back to Mara, his voice softening slightly. “Return to the palace, Mara. Please,” he said, his eyes fixed on hers.
Mara’s sobs subsided, and she glared at me before turning back to Aston. “Fine,” she spat, her voice venomous. “But this isn’t over, Kira,” she said, her eyes flashing with anger.
She turned and stalked back into the palace, leaving me feeling relieved and a little guilty. I knew she was upset, but I couldn’t help feeling a little glad that she wasn’t coming along.
As I turned to follow Aston to the car, a hand grasped my wrist, spinning me around. My lips were taken in a kiss, hard and demanding. I struggled for a moment, before realizing it was Brax. He kissed me right in front of everyone, including Aston.