Deities of Deceit

Chapter Thirty

Hareti Jaja | Thirty
THEY LIVED IN THE SAME COLOR
___

Yarima's jealous eyes were inviting and endearing. Jealousy was a rarity with him. After the day I proclaimed him mine, he ceaselessly behaved as though my promises of loyalty were carved in stone. I found I was easily enjoying the waves of jealousy flashing across his face. The swaying crowd parted ways as I strode towards him, forming a straight path to where he stood.

"The chandeliers are magnificent," I said when I was finally under his gaze.

"Mhmm, the chandeliers."

"Yari–"

"Was that him?" He quirked a brow.

"Yes." I was grinning a little too much, the most I had grinned that night.

Eyes peered over shoulders, necks stretched in our direction. For the most part, Yarima and I's relationship never met the public eye, though much of it filled the gossip rooms of many high and low born citizens. Now they'd get to put a visual to all their assumptions. I suppose in many ways to count, there was satisfaction in that. In knowing they now saw us in the light. And they all knew he was mine.

"What do you think of him? Charming?" I asked, lightly poking his chest in amusement.

"He is not your type." His face was solid with his answer, but there was no hiding the playful jealousy in his eyes.

I faked a frown, pouting. "I don't have a type."

"Yes you do, Your Majesty."

"Ok, what is my type?"

"You're looking at it."

I snorted a quiet laugh. "You are one of my many types."

"Very flattering." He gulped down all of his wine in one go. "Nimah isn't one of your types."

"Yari you're– Nimah?" His name? "You know him?" I gaped.

"That's how I know he's not your type."

"How do you know him?" I pressed.

He shrugged. "Wouldn't you love to know, Your Majesty." He began to turn away and I hurried to the front of him.

"Abubakar!" I quietly scolded.

"Hareti!" He quietly scolded back.

"I asked a question."

"You're acting a little bit too desperate, Your Majesty. Besides, the love of your life is running away, you should go get him."

"I know where he is going, and you owe me an answer." I knew everyone Yarima knew, he shared every detail with me, even when I didn't ask. But not him? Not this... Nimah? "Have you been having an affair?"

"Hareti Jaja," he seethed.

"Have you?"

"That is preposterous."

"What do I not know?"

"The first dance of the night was supposed to be mine." His words accused, and striking me with guilt.

My shoulders relaxed, a little breath leaving me. "We will dance all night long, Yari."

"But it wouldn't be your first dance at a ball. That now belongs to someone else. We aren't even married yet and I'm already second."

"Yari..." I shook my head lightly. "This isn't a competition. Doesn't matter who comes first." I slid a hand over his elbow. "But, if it makes you feel any better, you will be crowned first. And after that, we'd dance all night."