Page 15 of Lust

I have had over a dozen brides…Some lasted a few years, succumbing to disease or war. Others lasted a blessed century, where they took residence in a house of their own and eschewed the stares of those around them. The only power Acedia brought with her to a mortal form was that of cloaking and subterfuge. She could protect her love from the judgment of others, but she could not stave off the swords of battle or the unfortunate side effects of famine and plague. She was still mortal, after all.

Vainglory had never been mortal, not for a day. Her lot was to lurk in the corner of someone’s eye, waiting for them to succumb.

She didn’t love them. She wouldn’t love Mercy. She would promise salvation, but that came at a price. Instead of becoming one with the life force of the universe after death, they remained trapped in that circlet, forever giving Vainglory her unnatural company.

“I came here to tell you that I will be victorious once more.” It wasn’t easy for Acedia to gain such confidence, but it had to be said. “You will see. This time, she will not succumb.”

“We shall see, indeed. And when you come crawling to me for mercy once again, I will not be so sweet. I will twist your head and cast you out of my house, for I am weary of your tears.”

Acedia knew as much. Still, she would not back down. This wasn’t about standing up to her sister. This was about asserting her own sins. Her pride. Her vanity. Her avarice.

Her lust.

“The thought of you laying a hand on her,” Acedia said, before pulling herself back to the earth once more, “swells me with disgust.”

Vainglory did not say a word. She often didn’t. Anything she had to say was more closely guarded in the sigh blowing Acedia away.

I will be victorious. I swear it. For my own good…And for Mercy’s as well.

Acedia could not go easy. Nor could she charge ahead without a plan.

She had already committed to saving Mercy’s life. All that was left was to make her Acedia’s bride, one sinful night at a time.

TO BE CONTINUED…