Chapter 61: Telling it
When Evander entered their private sitting room, both twins were already there. Seraphina was sprawled across the settee with a book in her hand, and Serene was pouring tea at the small round table near the window.
Seraphina looked up first. "Evander?" she said, surprised. "Good to see you. What brings you here?"
Serene turned too, offering a small, polite smile. "You look like you haven’t rested well."
He closed the door behind him and stood there for a moment. "I haven’t," he admitted. "There’s something I need to tell you both."
Seraphina sat up immediately. "That sounds serious."
"It is serious. It’s about Rowena." He said.
Both twins exchanged a look. Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "What about her this time? Did she blackmail someone again or ruin another maid’s life?"
Serene sighed quietly. "Don’t be dramatic."
"I’m serious," Evander said, cutting in. "You should hear this."
Serene motioned for him to sit. "All right. Tell us."
He sat down, running a hand through his hair. For a moment, he wasn’t sure where to start.
"I went to Marek’s house earlier today," he said finally.
That got their attention.
Seraphina frowned. "Why were you at Marek’s house?"
"Yeah," Serene added. "You two don’t even like each other."
Evander nodded slowly. "We didn’t. But things changed."
"Since when?" Seraphina asked suspiciously.
He sighed. "You both know I’ve been trying to get better at riding."
Seraphina nodded. "Yes, and you’ve been terrible at it."
"Thank you," Evander muttered.
Serene hid a small laugh behind her cup. "Go on."
"One afternoon, Marek was at the stables when I was training. He gave me a few tips, and he’s good with horses. Over time, we talked more, trained together sometimes. I thought we were becoming friends."
"And then?" Seraphina prompted.
Evander hesitated. "Then he told me he wanted my help to win Aveloria’s heart."
Seraphina’s mouth fell open. "Wait—he what?"
Serene blinked, frowning. "Help him how?"
"He wanted advice. Guidance. Said I knew Aveloria better than most of the others because I was around her a lot. He offered me something in return."
Seraphina leaned forward. "What?"
Evander looked down, ashamed. "The best breed of horse from his father’s collection."
There was silence for a moment. Then Seraphina let out a sharp laugh. "So you sold your help for a horse?"
Evander’s face flushed. "It wasn’t like that. I wasn’t trying to—"
"Oh, but it is like that," Seraphina interrupted. "Aveloria, our future Queen, traded off for a stallion. You must be proud."
Serene shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. "Evander, you can’t be serious. You actually agreed to that?"
He rubbed his temples. "I didn’t think it through, all right? I thought it was harmless. I thought maybe if Marek genuinely liked her, he deserved a chance. I didn’t know he’d..." He trailed off.
Seraphina tilted her head. "He’d what?"
Evander looked at them both. "So when I went to see him. One of the maids told me he was in the study." He took a slow breath. "When I opened the door...I saw the most disgusting scenario ever!"
"What did you see?" The Queen chorused.
"Rowena and Marek were..." He pouted his mouth and made a low sound.
Serene mimicked his gesture, looking confused. "What does that mean?" Serene asked.
"They were kissing?!" Seraphina gasped.
"Yes." Evander nodded.
The room went silent. Serene blinked slowly, like she hadn’t heard him right. "Rowena and Marek were kissing?!"
"Yes."
"Like...actually kissing?" She repeated.
"Yes," Evander said, his tone flat. "I caught them in the act."
Seraphina stood abruptly. "You have got to be kidding me."
Serene’s hand covered her mouth. "That’s...disgusting."
"She’s our sister," Seraphina said sharply. "I mean, barely, but still. She never changes. First, she goes after young men for recognition and power; now, she’s aiming at one of Aveloria’s mates? What next?"
"She’s always had a problem," Serene added quietly. "She wants everything that doesn’t belong to her."
Evander leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I don’t even know how it started. Marek told me Rowena kissed him...but that’s an excuse, right? He might have said that to defend himself and look innocent."
"What if Rowena actually did kiss him first?" Serene asked.
"That sounds like Rowena," Seraphina said bitterly. "She knows exactly how to crawl under someone’s skin."
"I think she played him completely," Serene said.
Seraphina crossed her arms. "He let her. Marek’s not a child. He knew what he was doing."
"He’s weak," Serene added. "And his father spoils him. I’ve never liked either of them. Always walking around like they’re untouchable."
Evander didn’t argue. He knew they were right.
Seraphina sat back down, shaking her head. "You realize how bad this is, right? If Aveloria finds out—"
"She should find out," Serene interrupted. "She deserves to know what’s happening behind her back."
Evander looked between them. "You think I should tell her?"
Seraphina looked at her twin. "What do you think?"
Serene nodded firmly. "Yes. Aveloria deserves to know the truth. The last thing she needs is to think Marek’s loyal when he’s kissing Rowena behind closed doors."
Evander exhaled heavily. "I was hoping you’d say that."
Seraphina frowned. "Wait a second. There’s something else I want to understand."
"What?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You said you’ve been spending time with Marek. That you’ve gotten close. Why? Why him of all people? He’s never liked you. And you’re not exactly compatible."
Evander hesitated. "It just happened naturally. I told you he helped me with training. I thought maybe he’d changed. I didn’t expect him to—"
Seraphina cut him off. "You’re too trusting. That’s your problem. People like Marek only use you when it benefits them."
Serene nodded. "And when they’re done, they throw you away. You should know that by now."
"I know," Evander said quietly. "I realize that now."
Seraphina gave a short, humorless laugh. "But seriously, Evander? All this for a horse. That’s what you get for letting your soft heart think."
He frowned. "You don’t need to rub it in."
"Oh, I’m going to," Seraphina replied. "You made a deal with Marek to help him steal Aveloria’s heart, and he ends up making out with our evil stepsister. Tell me that’s not ironic."
Serene sighed. "Don’t mind her. But she’s right. You should have known better."
Evander dropped his head into his hands. "I know. Believe me, I know. I feel like a fool. But I think it is a blessing I got close to that mutt. I mean, I caught them."
There was a short silence. Then Serene spoke. "We stick to telling Aveloria the truth."
They nodded in agreement. Serene poured Evander tea. "Drink. You look like you would pass out."
He gave her a faint smile. "Thanks."
As he drank, the tension in the room softened a little. For the first time, Evander noticed how calm the twins always were with each other, despite their different personalities; this time, they seemed to work in sync.
"So," Seraphina said, crossing one leg over the other. "Let’s say we do tell Aveloria. What then? You think she’ll forgive you for helping Marek in the first place?"
Evander looked down at his cup. "Probably not."
Serene’s voice softened. "You’re going to have to be honest about that, too. She’ll respect that more than you trying to hide it."
"I know," he said quietly. "I just...don’t want to see her hurt in any way. She has so much to deal with. And father has refused to cancel her confinement. I tried speaking to him, but he wouldn’t listen. He feels different."
Seraphina smirked. "That’s noble of you. Still, next time someone offers you a horse, maybe ask what kind of mess comes with it."
Serene gave her twin a disapproving look, but Evander actually smiled this time.
"Noted," he said.
Seraphina leaned back. "So, who do you think is best for Aveloria, then? I am certain you’ve seen enough of them up close."
"Maybe not the rogue." Serene added.
Evander paused, thinking. "Theron," he said finally.
"Why Alpha Theron?" Seraphina asked.
"He’s strong. Focused. He knows when to lead and when to listen. I respect that."
Serene smiled. "I knew you’d say that."
"Why?"
"Because you admire strength and discipline. You’ve always looked up to people like that." Serene answered.
Seraphina grinned. "Theron would only treat Aveloria like a child. I’m rooting for Galen. He’s the only one who doesn’t act like he’s trying to own her. And he’s charming without being fake."
"Galen?" Evander said, surprised. "He’s too laid back."
"Exactly," Seraphina replied. "He doesn’t play games. He exists. And he’s good for her."
"I’m rooting for the rogue. He looks mysterious and dangerous. I like men like that...and I think he would be Aveloria’s ideal mate." Serene said.
"Never." Seraphina disagreed. "I hope she doesn’t accept that bond cause it would burn her completely. Rogues are—"
Serene cuts her off, "Rogues are wolves, too. I don’t understand this segregation between us wolves."
"Rogues are selfish wolves. I’m certain the Rogue king would use his son to penetrate our kingdom."
"That rogue doesn’t look power-driven." Serene countered.
Evander shook his head. "You two never agree on anything, do you?"
"Rarely," Seraphina said with a smirk.
"Never," Serene corrected.
Evander chuckled. "At least you’re honest about it."
The laughter didn’t last long. The weight of what they were about to do hung between them again.
Seraphina stood, brushing her hands down her skirt. "All right. We will tell Aveloria as soon as possible."
"We are missing something," Evander said.
"What?"
"How do we see her? The guards won’t let us in." Evander answered.
"That’s simple. The guards are the easiest to deal with." Seraphina smiled.
Serene nodded in agreement. "Just leave it to us."
Evander looked between them. "You’re sure?"
"Yes," Seraphina said firmly. She grabbed her cloak from the chair.
"Then it’s settled," Evander said.
As they walked out together, Evander felt the tension in his chest ease slightly. He wasn’t proud of what had happened, but at least he was doing something right now.
Seraphina, ever the blunt one, spoke as they walked out of the house. "You know, Evander, if Rowena tries to deny anything, I’ll personally claw at Rowena’s face and make her confess."
Serene rolled her eyes. "Please don’t start a fight."
"She deserves it," Seraphina muttered.
Evander said nothing. He knew Seraphina meant every word. And in that moment, he was grateful for it. Whatever came next, at least Aveloria would see the truth.
