Page 33 of Star Crossed Delta

SABA

T o sacrifice means to make an offering sacred.

Amid the turmoil that now engulfed Saba’s life, one thing remained clear: the obligation to protect her sister had come at a cost far higher than she ever could have imagined.

None of it made her feel any more sacrosanct.

She was as un-sanctified as possible, tainted and polluted to the core. Knowing that her actions would have repercussions extensive beyond this moment, shaping the destinies of all caught in their wake.

Days turned into weeks, and still, no word from Shiloh or Zolan.

Needing her brand of companionship, Saba invited Aveline to her new home one evening after a long day shift at the hospital where she worked as a nurse. Her husband was away on business, so she had the rare freedom to join Saba. They had a blast.

They cracked open a bottle of wine, shared a bowl of popcorn, and watched a holo comedy-romance.

They laughed so hard their sides ached, the stress of the past weeks slipping away in the warmth of friendship and moments of joy.

They even shed a tear or two as the screen flickered with scenes of love, heartbreak, and forever happiness.

When the credits rolled, Aveline turned to her with a smile that lit up her face. ‘ Sante for tonight,’ she said, her voice filled with unspoken gratitude. ‘I needed this more than I realized.’

Saba returned her beam, grateful for the simple pleasure of spending time with a friend who was not judging her.

‘Anytime, woman,’ she tossed back, sincerity lacing her words.

She sobered for a moment. ‘How are things on The Nautilus ?’ she asked, referring to the ship most Akkadians in the flotilla called home.

Aveline winced. ‘Not good. The community is becoming increasingly agitated with each passing day. Suspicion about Shiloh swirls like a dark storm cloud. The gossip is terrible, they’re going wild with tales of betrayal and so many lies.’

‘Who’s behind it?’ Saba asked.

‘Who else? Your aunt Sylvana and your cousin Zsófia.’

‘Typical.’

Aveline bit her lip. ‘Also -.’

Her voice trailed off.

Saba caught her hesitation and turned on the couch to face her. ‘What, hon? Tell me.’

Aveline’s face clouded. ‘Much of the unrest is coming from Khaman,’ she confessed with a shy, embarrassed shrug.

Years ago, Aveline married the Head Cowl of the Solanite movement, a cultist offshoot of the Holy See faith.

Their marriage was arranged, and there was nothing Saba could say or do to dissuade the union from going ahead, for she loathed Aveline’s sneering, hypocritical, and Pharisaical husband.

Even more so, because his cult hankered after the past.

It was composed of younger, more disaffected members.

Young men and women, who had been radicalized by its propaganda and promises of returning to the old, even more traditional Akkadian ways.

‘Why are they so interested in Mak and me?’ Saba asked, surprised, first that Khaman was stirring up shit and also that her friend, who never spoke about her marriage, was sharing at all.

‘Because Mak represents a growing number of Akkadians who refuse to be controlled by the Holy See’s archaic controls that limit freedom.

Furthermore, Mak is wealthy and influential, and he holds much of the energy reserves of this flotilla,’ Aveline told her.

‘I happen to know that Khaman and the Solanite aligned high priests are being paid to stoke up violence against him, and the Signet and Sauvage business concerns with their rhetoric and hatred.’

‘To what end?’ Saba asked.

Aveline shrugged. ‘To get him to hand over control of his interests. Like that’ll ever transpire. Members of the Syndicate, too, are behind the unrest.’

Saba nodded, recalling Zolan’s warnings and also how her husband’s deal with her uncle involved his support of the Syndicate’s decisions.

She gained a deeper insight into what Mak was dealing with.

Still, Aveline had to live every day with a man who was a radical, which was way worse than Saba’s predicament.

‘Are you safe?’ Saba murmured.

Aveline sighed, and Saba detected the sadness in her tone. ‘Just this morning, Khaman was on a flotilla-wide broadcast condemning the attacks while still railing about those who’ve turned away from the true Path of Light. It all hurts my head.’

Her voice trailed off, and Saba was again hit with a pang of worry for her.

‘Remember, Aveline, you give the word, and Mak will send his strongmen for you. I’ll do everything possible to assist you.’

Aveline shook her head and huffed. ‘I wish. The Akkadian and Holy See marriage code is sacrosanct, Saba. You have the luxury of being the ?ar’s wife and can get away with breaking it, but the rest of us are bound to it, even to death.

So while I accept your offer for help, I will have to live with my decision to marry the High Cowl. ’

Saba’s heart sank.

Aveline’s words resonated with her, and she understood the gravity of her predicament. She couldn’t imagine living chained by such strict rules and expectations.

‘But -.’

‘Enough about Khaman,’ Aveline muttered. ‘I’m here to support you today, especially because your freedom is limited, and your extended family is gunning for you.’

Saba shrugged, her eyes sad and wistful.

‘They can dig all they want, say all they need to, and talk all kinds of shit till their lips fall off. Yes, my marriage is not ideal, but I won’t give them the satisfaction of seeing it.

I’ll let them wonder and continue to hold my head high.

I ain’t giving in an inch. Also, if they persist with their malicious gossip, I’ll use what power I have to cut them off at the knees. ’

Aveline laughed. ‘Only you, Saba, would have an entire community and manipulative clan members mad at you, and shake it off with grace. While murdering them with your words and planning to repay their bitchiness. I’m glad I’m on your side.’

‘So am I; you’re my rock right now, my unwavering support and a beacon of strength in this freakin’ chaos. My love, you give me the energy to navigate the treacherous waters of all these freakish, untrue rumors and accusations. I don’t know how I’d have survived the last few weeks with you.’

She gave Saba a spontaneous hug. ‘We’ll weather this storm together, no matter what lies ahead.’

At that moment, the world outside faded away, and the sanctuary of friendship surrounded them.

Saba jolted at a shadow reflected on a mirror in the living room.

She released Aveline and turned to glance at Mak, who stood in the doorway.

His expression was unreadable, his gaze narrowed on them.

Her best friend jumped to her feet and bestowed him with a slight bow. ‘ ?ar Sauvage, good evening.’

‘Aveline,’ he murmured.

Saba was reminded that her husband was no ordinary man, as her friend’s head remained bowed.

‘As you were,’ Mak grunted.

He and Saba locked eyes.

She dragged hers from him, face flushing with a rush of emotions.

Aveline stood upright and glanced between them, sensing the unspoken edginess in the air.

Mak cleared his throat, breaking the palpable silence. ‘Ladies,’ he began, his rasp rough. ‘Didn’t mean to interrupt.’

Saba met his scrutiny. ‘You weren’t interrupting,’ she replied, her voice tinged with an edge of apprehension, for it was the first time he’d spoken to her in days.

With a gentle hand squeeze, Aveline shot her a knowing look.

Her manners kicked in, and she flew off the couch to nab a glass from the bureau. ‘Join us?’

He stared at her.

With a huff of surprise, he shook his head. ‘I wish I could, but I have matters to attend to. Enjoy your evening.’

He lifted his chin in a jerked nod, swiveled, and left without another word.

His retreating figure faded into the hallway’s darkness, leaving a void.

Aveline met Saba’s gaze, her eyes filled with concern and curiosity.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked, her voice a soothing balm in the wake of Mak’s abrupt departure.

Saba assented, swallowing past the lump in her throat. ‘I will be,’ she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘It’s just a lot to process right now. I’ll share more when I’m ready.’

Aveline nodded in understanding, her aura a comforting anchor in the storm within Saba. ‘Take all the time you need,’ she said, squeezing her shoulder in solidarity.

Even after she left, Saba grappled with a maelstrom of conflicting emotions.

All to do with the man whose essence and commanding presence lingered in the air.

In bed later that night, Saba tossed and turned, her eyes seeking the night for answers, but only silence spoke to her.

She was pulled into sleep, where she lost herself in nightmares of ghouls and sachem wraiths chasing after her traitorous, guilty soul.

MAK

Mak paced the hallways of the lodge, racked with guilt. Earlier, he’d overheard Saba’s chat with Aveline.

Not with malicious intent.

He’d just been passing through the corridor on his way to a meeting with Xander.

What struck him, however, was the sadness and wistfulness in her eyes as she shared the challenges she’d faced since becoming his bride.

He’d been so wrapped up in his fog of agony that he hadn’t realized the depth to which this was affecting her.

Fokk , he was a total ass.

He’d also punished her for her perceived sins and those of her family. But how much more would this need for revenge persist? And who or what would it serve?

He came to a stop outside Saba’s room.

She’d gone to sleep hours ago, the room silent beyond the closed door.

He reached out his hand and placed it on the thick, cool surface.

He pressed in, his heart and mind churning, seeking peace.

He only just restrained himself from turning the knob at her door, striding inside, and taking her into his arms.

With a curse, he walked away, his soul aching, still searching for a way forward for her and him.