Chapter 34: Proof of virginity.

Olivia goes to Lysander, and they have their first dance together.

I watch them from across the room.

Lysander keeps one hand around her waist while Olivia rests hers against his shoulder. They move slowly to the music, surrounded by people who seem far too happy about this whole arrangement.

When the song finally ends, everyone applauds.

Olivia smiles briefly at Lysander before stepping away.

Then the lights change, the music picks up, and suddenly, the men surrounding Lysander start cheering.

Loudly.

Some of them raise their glasses while others slap him on the back.

I frown.

What the hell is going on? I look around the room, trying to figure out what everyone seems to know except me.

Finally, I spot Cassian so I walk over and snag him by the arm.

"What’s going on?"

He looks at me.

"What?"

"Why are you guys cheering?"

He stares at me for a second.

"You don’t know?"

"No."

I give him an annoyed look.

"No, Cass. If I knew, I wouldn’t be standing here asking you."

He sighs.

"You haven’t been to a wedding before?"

"Of course I have."

"A mafia wedding, Rissa."

I pause.

"No... not really."

The last mafia wedding I was supposed to attend....i didn’t. Uncle Lorenzo gave me an earful over it.

He shakes his head.

"Where were you last year for your cousin’s wedding?"

I open my mouth but he immediately waves his hand.

"You know what? Never mind. I asked that."

I narrow my eyes.

"Cassian, tell me what’s going on."

He glances toward Lysander then back at me.

"It’s time for them to fulfill their matrimonial duties."

I blink.

"What?"

"Their matrimonial duties."

"What the fuck does that mean?"

He lowers his voice.

"They go to their room."

I stare at him.

"They?"

"Olivia and Lysander."

"And?"

"They consummate the marriage."

My eyes widen.

"You mean they have sex?"

He nods.

I look toward the stairs.

"No."

"Yes."

I turn back to him.

"And then what? Is it a must?."

Cassian hesitates. I immediately know I’m not going to like the answer.

"Cass."

He exhales.

"Yes it is because Lysander has to bring down proof of Olivia’s virginity."

I stare at him.

"What the fuck?"

"Rissa..."

"Proof?"

He nods.

"Her blood. The evidence that she was a virgin."

I look around the room.

All these men are celebrating, they’re actually cheering about this.

"And everyone just gets to see it?"

"It’s tradition."

I shake my head.

"What the actual fuck?"

I look at Cassian.

"And you’re just okay with that? That’s your sister Cas!."

His expression changes.

"I know she’s my sister."

"Then how can you stand here and just let this happen?"

"You think I like it?! You think I like this?"

"I don’t know, Cass. You seem pretty calm about it."

"Because what the hell do you want me to do?"

"Stop it!"

"I can’t."

"You can."

"Not right now."

His voice drops.

"It’s tradition, Rissa. It’s been happening for generations."

"That doesn’t make it right."

"I know it doesn’t."

"Then do something."

"I don’t have enough power to stop it from happening right now."

I stare at him and he looks genuinely frustrated but I don’t care.

I look toward the stairs and my stomach drops.

Lysander is leading Olivia toward them.

The men cheer even louder while Olivia looks terrified.

"Oh my God."

I start moving towards her.

"Did she know?"

Cassian catches my arm.

"Rissa."

"Did she know?"

"I don’t know."

"Does she know she’s expected to have sex with the Don and then have her innocence displayed for everyone downstairs?"

"Rissa, stop."

I pull against him.

"No."

I look toward the stairs again.

"I have to do something."

I start moving faster, I

have to get to her.....i have to

I don’t care about some stupid tradition, I don’t care about the families, I don’t care about the fucking alliance....everyone can die for all I care.

She’s my sister.

Someone grabs my arm and yanks me backward.

Cassian.

"You can’t do anything about it, Nerissa."

"What do you mean we can’t do anything?"

I struggle against his grip.

"We have to do something!"

"Let it go."

"Unhand me, Cassian."

"You’re too damn hotheaded, Rissa."

He starts dragging me away from the stairs.

"Cassian!"

I fight against him.

"Let me go!"

But he doesn’t and by the time I manage to look back toward the staircase again, Olivia and Lysander are already gone.

————-

Lysander’s POV.

I take Olivia to the room. She follows behind me quietly, her footsteps almost soundless against the marble floor.

The moment we enter, I close the door.

She stops and I turn around to find she’s giving me that look.

Her eyes move over me cautiously, like she’s waiting for me to become the monster everyone downstairs believes I am.

It pisses me off more than it should.

I stare at her.

"What?"

She shakes her head quickly.

"Nothing."

"Then stop looking at me like that.

Her lips part, but no words come out.

I scoff.

I’m already irritated enough without having to deal with this. I walk toward the table and pour myself a glass of water.

She remains standing near the door like she’s preparing to run.

"Go take a bath."

She looks at me.

"What?"

"You heard me."

Her fingers tighten around the fabric of her dress.

"But...

I turn to face her.

"I said go take a bath."

She hesitates and I can practically see the question in her eyes.

What happens when she comes back?

I know what she’s thinking but frankly, I’m tired of looking at that frightened face.

"I’ll be outside."

Her expression changes.

"Outside?"

I point toward the balcony.

"I’ll be there."

She stares at me for another second before nodding.

"Okay."

She rushes toward the bathroom and I watch the door slam behind her.

My jaw clenching.

"Jesus."

I drag a hand over my face.

Her fear shouldn’t bother me, I’ve seen fear countless times, I’ve caused it....I’ve watched grown men beg for their lives without blinking.

So why does it piss me off when Olivia looks at me that way?

Maybe because I didn’t give her a reason to be afraid of me.

Not yet.

I glance toward the bathroom door then toward the bed.

The men are waiting, they expect proof.

Blood on the sheets.

Something they can see with their own eyes and celebrate over like animals.