The tension in the room lingered even after the initial introductions. Ahicia remained cautious, her earlier determination bolstered by the subtle challenges she felt radiating from Anara and Selene. She refused to let them see any weakness, even as her mind raced with doubts.
Selene broke the silence with her characteristic bluntness. "By the way, Damian, Anara and I will be staying here for a while."
Damian's golden eyes narrowed instantly. "What?" he asked, his voice calm but dangerously low.
Anara smirked, leaning casually against the back of a nearby chair. "Oh, don't look so thrilled," she said. "We're family, after all."
Damian crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "Selene, this isn't your home. You can't just decide to stay without asking."
Selene shrugged, clearly unfazed. "Father said it would be fine. Something about us needing a change of scenery."
Damian's frustration was evident, but before he could protest further, Ahicia stepped forward, her voice calm and steady. "Damian, maybe it won't be so bad."
He turned to her, his golden eyes searching hers. "Ahicia, you don't understand what you're asking for."
Ahicia placed a gentle hand on his arm, her crimson eyes soft yet resolute. "They're your family. And besides, it's only for a while, right? How bad could it be?"
Anara's sly smile widened as she observed the exchange. "Listen to her, Damian. She's clearly the sensible one here."
Damian shot her a sharp look before focusing back on Ahicia. He sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Fine. But don't expect me to clean up any messes."
Selene clapped her hands together, her smirk triumphant. "Perfect. See? That wasn't so hard."
Ahicia couldn't help but notice the gleam in Selene's eyes that suggested she had more planned than just an innocent visit. Still, she chose to focus on Damian, who looked less than pleased with the outcome.
"Thank you," Ahicia said softly, giving him a small smile. Her tail swayed gently behind her, a sign of her sincerity.
Damian sighed again, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Don't thank me yet," he muttered. "We'll see how long this peace lasts."
Without waiting for a response, Damian turned sharply on his heel, his frustration evident in the firm set of his shoulders as he began to stride out of the room. Ahicia's ears twitched, and she quickly followed after him, leaving Selene and Anara behind.
"Damian, wait," she called softly, catching up to him in the hallway. He stopped but didn't turn, his head tilted slightly as if bracing for another argument.
Ahicia stepped in front of him, her crimson eyes filled with determination. Before he could say a word, she reached up, cupped his face gently, and pressed her lips to his in a long, tender kiss. Damian stiffened for a moment, clearly caught off guard, but then his hands found her waist, and he melted into the kiss, his earlier anger ebbing away.
When they finally broke apart, Ahicia rested her forehead against his, her voice soft. "I know this isn't easy for you, but I'm here. You don't have to face this alone."
Damian exhaled deeply, his golden eyes searching hers. "You really know how to get under my skin, don't you?" he murmured, a small, weary smile tugging at his lips.
"Someone has to," she replied with a faint smile of her own, her tail swaying lightly behind her.
Selene and Anara exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Whatever their intentions, Ahicia knew one thing: life at the estate was about to get a lot more complicated.