Chapter 286: Cadelaria cuts in.
Sienna blinked, startled. She glanced toward her husband and saw him watching, a faint smirk on his lips. He had sent their son over. jealousy disguised a paternal intervention.
Lenard released her hand reluctantly, his gaze lingering with unspoken questions. Sienna bent down, scooping her son into her arms, her smile now genuine. She swayed to the music, shaking her shoulders. The crowd murmured at the sight, smiling at what appeared to be a sweet moment.
Lenard’s last words echoed in her ears: Are you clever enough to survive what is coming?
She held her son close, her heart pounding.
Despite the music, Eli’s voice still cut through the sound with the blunt honesty only children possess.
"You should not have danced with him," he said firmly,
Sienna met his eyes, smiling. "Why not, short spark?"
He frowned at the name and replied with an eye roll, "Because he is a lion. Lions and foxes are not friends."
Sienna chuckled softly. "I have seen plenty of lion beast men here so I am sure that you are wrong about that. Also, I think your fox father and the lion king might be best friends who refuse to admit it."
Her son frowned. "I can read lips mama. He asked about your papa. You hate your papa. Why talk about him?"
Sienna’s smile sharpened. "Because he did some things that were not so nice and now his ghost is haunting us. But the good thing is that ghosts can’t hurt us. Mama is a ghost buster and she can keep them at bay." She brushed her fingers through his hair.
He crossed his arms, leaning away from her, which made their posture awkward. "He asked about great grandpa Corven’s family secret. You know the secret I am talking about. He blocked the sound around you using mental strength, but I read his lips clearly. You don’t ask about other people’s secrets."
Sienna patted his back. "Short spark, secrets are like masks. Sometimes you wear them, sometimes you let others think they’ve stolen them. A mask that has been worn by many people is not useful anymore. That secret is known to many people, especially the ones who need to know the most. It cannot be used to hurt us."
Her son scowled, unconvinced. "Papa did not like you dancing with him. It made him angry. You smiled at the lion. You shouldn’t smile at other men."
Sienna’s laughter was soft, almost conspiratorial. "Oh my short spark, how little you know of the world! Smiles, my son, are weapons. I didn’t smile because I was enjoying the dance, I smiled to hide my own secrets. Your papa knows my true smile belongs only to him. Well...and my children and family. Even when if I lend it to others for a while, it comes back where it belongs."
Sienna felt another tug on her gown. When she looked down, she saw her daughter. She planted herself in their path, hands on her hips.
"Mama, you are not fair." She stamped her foot, "Put meanie Eli down and dance with me instead."
Sienna blinked, amused. "You want the final dance of the night?"
"Yes," Ali said, stamping her foot again. "You danced with papa. You danced with the lion beast man. You danced with Eli. Now you must dance with me. It’s only fair."
Eli clung tighter, unwilling to be set aside. The siblings glared at each other, their rivalry sparking like flint. Sienna prepared to ease her son down, ready to humor her daughter’s demand. If that didn’t work, she would carry and dance with both of them for a minute at most.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the sibling rivalry.
"Sienna," Lady Cadelaria called from behind them, her tone sharp, commanding. "Put the children down and come with me. This is very important. Whatever issues we have, set them aside for a moment. This concerns your work."
Sienna frowned. Elias walked over, shoulders tense, as if he had detected trouble. Sienna gave Eli to him, and gestured to Ali. "Keep an eye on the children for a moment." She said to him.
He gave a subtle nod, because she winked. Then, Sienna followed her mother-in-law through a side door, leaving the music and laughter behind.
They entered a room in the hotel which was brightly lit. Inside, a man and woman stood stiffly, their faces pale. Beside them sat two older couples, their posture rigid, their eyes expectant. All were fox beast men, their lineage unmistakable. They were dressed like wedding guests, and appeared to be regal. Sienna guessed that they were nobles.
Lady Cadelaria gestured toward the couple, the man’s side first. "These are the Valemont’s." She pointed to the woman’s side of the family, "and these are the Pyrrhath’s. Their families are noble and tied together by marriage. Fiddle Valemont and Dixie Pyrrhath need a divorce. I told them you would grant it quickly, privately and quietly, as a favor to their families. No questions asked."
Sienna’s eyes narrowed. "A divorce? Without hearing their case?"
Lady Cadelaria nodded. "Yes. It is a request from two noble houses. They expect our help because they help the tribe in return. They have earned it. You will sign the decree tonight. We should leave for your office right now."
Sienna studied the couple. Fiddle Valemont’s jaw was tight, his eyes avoiding hers. Dixie’s hands trembled, though she tried to hide it. The older couples were silent, their presence heavy with expectation.
Sienna’s instincts bristled. She needed to know what had brought them to this point. To grant a divorce without hearing the backstory was against her principles. It was a mockery of her authority.
Lady Cadelaria pulled her aside. Her lips were already thinned, showing her displeasure. "Do not make this complicated." She hissed into Sienna’s ear. "Hate me as much as you want, but this a part of your job. It is not all about screaming justice this or that at the top of your voice. Do not go around offending every noble house and making enemies we cannot afford. The Veythar’s need the love and support of other nobles. We do it through small favors."
Sienna’s smile was sharp as she replied, "Enemies are made when justice is denied, not when it is upheld. If this man and woman want freedom, let them speak. Why silence them?"
Lady Cadelaria dug her nails into Sienna’s arm. "It is not necessary. The families have agreed. The marriage was secret and so will the divorce be. The woman will leave quietly. The man will remarry. No record of their marriage or divorce will ever exist. That is all."
Sienna pulled her hand from the grip of her mother-in-law. She looked at the couple. She knew in her heart that Cadelaria was probably right. If she refused, she would ignite conflict. And at the moment, she didn’t need conflict. But to agree carelessly was dangerous.
She looked at the families and said, "I am going to make this simple. If you can explain why the secret marriage and secret divorce, I will sign the papers right here, right now and keep your secret. If you can’t explain, I will talk to my husband so that he can give me some background on your families. When I understand your situation better, I will sign the papers for you the day after tomorrow."
"You--" Lady Cadelaria started, voice raised in anger.
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