Fidelis glanced down at his phone. It was a few minutes past seven, and neither sister had arrived. He drummed his fingers on the table and contemplated calling Sera. He wasn't getting any emotions through the link, so he wasn't too worried. He reached for his glass of water and froze.
Coming toward him, haughty air firmly in place, was Amy. He did a quick perusal of her attire and had to admit that she looked beautiful. The form-fitting crimson gown was definitely attracting the attention of some of the other male diners. He had to give Amy credit. She knew how to dress and how to be the center of attention.
It still amazed him that Amy and Sera were twins. They were literally night and day. Amy masqueraded as the bright light of day while shoving Sera into the darkness of night and shadows. Despite Amy's efforts, Sera's light, while smoldering, was discovered by him. He preferred Sera's hidden light to Amy's vicious brightness.
He pushed his observations to the back of his mind as he stood. Even if he despised Amy, he behaved like a true gentleman, pulling out a chair for her. He ignored the heat of her lustful gaze as she preened at his attention.
"Hello, Romeo," purred Amy, her eyes following his every move.
Fidelis felt dirty from the sensation of her overt sexual aura and glances. He was not attracted to her at all. He again cursed her and her father for putting him and Sera in this situation.
"Good evening, Amy, and welcome to tonight's dinner," he said as cordially as possible. If he imagined her as one of the pompous Poten nobles from the old world, he would be able to make it through the dinner just fine. Probably.
"I'm so glad to be here. I couldn't wait to have a meal with you," she gushed, reaching over to caress his arm.
Fidelis gently moved it away from her grasping fingers. "I wonder where Sera is? She normally isn't late. That's something I like about her, her punctuality."
He ignored Amy's frown of dissatisfaction at the mention of her twin. Tough luck, you narcissistic bitch. You're not the one I'm in love with, he thought to himself.
"Who knows? Maybe my little sister got cold feet and decided not to come," retorted Amy, shrugging, her indifferent expression at odds with the evil gleam in her eyes.
He doubted that. Amy and her father probably did something to delay Sera. He decided to play along.
"That's fine. I know Sera gets anxious easily. We can wait a few more minutes before ordering an appetizer." He saw a flash of irritation cross Amy's face before she smoothed out her expression.
Fidelis wanted to laugh. Amy was trying so hard to appeal to him. She was failing miserably, of course. Haughty narcissists like her would always lose to those like Sera. He couldn't understand why Amy didn't get the hint from their interactions last year. No, he knew the reason.
Jealousy. It poured off her every time she saw him and Sera being happy. She detested the fact that her younger sister had found someone who valued her. In Amy's eyes, everyone should hate Sera and degrade her.
As long as he was alive, he would do his best to shield Sera from such machinations. Once he told Sera the truth about him and his "supernatural" existence, he would rescue her from her hellish life. He would spend the rest of his life making her happy. He smiled at the thought.
Amy, mistaking his smile as one for her, prattled on about whatever topic made her the focus. She didn't seem to notice that he wasn't really interacting with her. Fidelis glanced down at his phone. It was now 7:15. Where was Sera?
Absently, he stroked his fated mark. He didn't feel anything. He wasn't worried, not yet. He had faith she would show up.
Amy's phone's notification alert interrupted her rambling. Fidelis was grateful for the break. He felt like his ears might start to bleed if he had to keep listening to Amy's inane monologue.
Fidelis perked up when she glared at the message. His mark flared to life. He flinched at the barrage of Sera's emotions that roared into their connection. Sadness, embarrassment, resignation, and defeat. The overwhelming combination momentarily stole his breath as his vision went white.
He squeezed the edge of the table until it creaked. The sound grounded him in reality. He blinked, his vision clearing. He jerked his head up, his mark blazing hot. He stared, too shocked to conceal his reaction.
Sera walked next to the hostess, head lowered, shoulders hunched. Rage, liquid hot, surged in Fidelis's veins. How dare they do this to her?
The ugly, flowing, lime green dress with puffy sleeves and frills was only the beginning of the disastrous look they had forced Sera to wear. Her hair was braided into pigtails to make her appear like a child playing dress-up. Next to Amy's mature, elegant look, Sera looked foolish and uncultured.
Fidelis gritted his teeth. If he weren't constrained by society's rules, he would happily challenge Amy to a duel. Then he would thrash her soundly for humiliating the love of his life. He stood, went around the table, and pulled out the other chair.
"Sera," he greeted her, his voice soft.
She flinched, her emotions rising in their bond. He felt her anxiety and shame at her appearance. She didn't say anything, just sat down almost lifeless in her outward reactions.
He gently stroked her back before returning to his seat. He could hear the whispers of the other diners. They were mocking Sera's attire. Fidelis dearly wanted to punch something. Preferably, Sera's father and sister. They desired to break her spirit and were succeeding. He had to do something.
Amy's syrupy sweet voice broke the silence. "Tsk, tsk, Sera. Why are you so late? We almost started without you." She didn't give Sera a chance to respond before continuing, her words jabbing at Sera's self-esteem. "And what is up with your hideous dress? You're not some elementary kid. You should know how to dress for this kind of place."
Sera raised her head, her gaze going to her sister, her face flushed in embarrassment. "Sorry," she stammered, her gaze again dropping to the table.
An uncomfortable silence fell. Fidelis signaled for the waitress. He quickly ordered some appetizers. He needed to control the conversation and raise Sera's confidence. Amy was a predator toying with its prey. He'd be damned if he let it continue.
His foot bumped the bag on the floor with the flowers, and he smiled. He knew what he needed to do. It would shut up Amy while reaffirming his feelings for Sera. He needed to time it perfectly. He couldn't wait to see the twins' reactions to his gifts.