BLOOD?

AMARIS POV

This was the third time we were meeting. He had never spared even the smallest bit of attention for me—not when we met at the club, and certainly not when he said, “I do,” to my sister.

But now he did.

I felt stuck, and at the same time, I felt like running toward him and wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders was the best thing to do.

But my already weak heart sank the moment his flattering eyes left mine and settled on Amoria's. The tenderness that followed killed everything within me.

There was no denying that Zevian cherished Amoria in unexplainable ways.

Amoria unhooked her hands from mine. She ran toward him and took a seat beside Zevian, then left a buttery kiss on his lips.

“This should have been mine. All mine.”

The thought echoed in my head, but I shook it off as quickly as it came.

“Your honeymoon should be over already,” Dad muttered, while mom and Amoria snickered.

They were the definition of a picture-perfect family, and I always seemed to struggle with where to fit in. It had always been like this. Ever since I showed up at their doorstep.

“Are you going to keep standing there?” Mom asked, and everyone’s attention immediately turned toward me.

I walked over cautiously, almost tripping over my own foot. I took the only available seat, which was opposite Zevian’s.

I stared at the food on the table, noticing that it was all Amoria’s favorites. Some of the dishes even contained ingredients they knew I was allergic to.

“It’s considered good manners to greet a guest, isn’t it, Amaris?” Dad spoke this time, his voice husky from years of smoking.

“Lovely morning, Mr… Zevian,” I said without lifting my head from my plate.

A faint grunt was his only response.

I continued picking out the peas I couldn't eat. I had zero interest in the food, but focusing on it was my way of disappearing.

They, as usual, ignored my presence and continued their discussion.

“When are you guys finally moving?” Dad asked Zevian.

That part of their conversation stuck in my ears.

Moving?

My eyes left my food to meet Dad’s and Zevian’s. They couldn’t do that. I wouldn’t survive. I was already weak as it was. Any more distance between him and me would kill me slowly.

I turned to my mother, who had promised that she’d make sure we stayed close enough. But she didn’t look at me. Her attention was fully focused on everyone except me.

“Tomorrow,” Amoria replied, feeding a piece of steak to Zevian, who seemed already used to her actions.

“Good.” Dad remarked.

“Where are you moving to?” I asked.

“Sicin.”

A scoff escaped my lips. “Why all of a sudden?”

“Cause my husband has a three year contract that he needs to attend to in Sicin. Is there a problem?”

I turned back to mom to see if she was listening, but she didn't look surprised at all.

“And you’re going to let this happen?” I asked, directing the question at her.

“Amaris, what does my husband and my decision have to do with you and mom?”

“I think that question should be directed at mom,” I said.

Her countenance shifted, and she sat stiffly in her chair.

“Mom, what does this mean?” Amoria asked.

“I don't know. Your sister’s just being delusional, as always. Don't let her bother you. Eat,” she cooed, glaring at me from the corner of her eyes.

My patience was already wearing thin. I didn’t care anymore. I couldn't care less if my secret was revealed to the whole world. What good was a secret if I died before it was told?

“You’re not going. You both are staying here,” I said, my fork scratching harshly against the plate.

“If you can’t control yourself, stay out of my sight,” Zevian said, his words slicing through the air, his gaze cold and irritated.

This was the first time he had willingly spoken to me. The first words he ever said to his mate.

“Amaris.” Mom’s tune was chilling, but it only fueled the anger I had been holding in for weeks.

“Are you dumb or blind?” I asked, directing my words at Zevian, whose face twisted into something strange. Dangerous, maybe.

“Amaris!” Amoria screeched.

She shot up from her chair and rushed toward me. She tried to drag me away from the dining room, her strength pulling me up from my seat.

“What’s all this drama for? You can always come visit if you’d miss me that badly.”

I yanked Amoria’s hands off me.

“Not everything is about you.” I growled. “Your husband is my mate—”

But the rest of my sentence got caught up in my throat when I saw Amoria’s body pull backward, her head colliding with the hard floor with a loud thud.

Suddenly, the floor that had been white was stained crimson red with Amoria’s blood.

I stood frozen, still unable to process what had just happened.

“Ahh!”

A sharp, broken scream tore out of my mother as she ran to Amoria’s limp body.

Mom cried out in devastation when she realized Amoria wasn’t moving.

Zevian rushed to her side while Dad gripped my shirt. “What have you done?!”

“I… I did nothing. I just... pulled her hands off me,” I stuttered.

I didn’t have the strength to push her that hard.

“She’s still breathing. Let’s take her to the hospital,” Zevian suggested. His gaze briefly landed on me. Compared to the nonchalant look he’d given me earlier, his eyes were now filled with spite, disgust and rage.

Zevian carried Amoria in his arms, her blood smearing his clothes.

He took her to his car and drove off like a madman, leaving me behind with my parents.

“You’d better pray nothing happens to Amoria,” Dad spat, while Mom ran toward her car, waiting for him to get in before they drove off.

I could have followed.

I wanted to.

She was my twin, after all. But I couldn’t bear the guilt of what I had done.

I had caused this. I should never have lost control like that.

My feelings didn’t matter.

I sat motionless in the dining room for hours, waiting for news and praying to the Moon Goddess that Amoria was okay.

About twelve hours had passed since the incident, but I still couldn't bring myself to move from the position.

I bit my nails nervously when a maid, Loren, came to my side. She was the only maid who had shown me any level of respect since arriving at this house.

I raised an eyebrow curiously at her, though my mind wasn’t interested in whatever she had to say.

“Miss,” she said, worry etched across her pretty face.

“What?”

“I think you have to leave now,” she whispered, glancing at her back cautiously.

“What? Why?”

“I heard from the other girls that… that Master Zevian…he’s furious, and he's coming after you.”