Send her away

"I don't know what you're still doing here," Meliana taunted loudly enough for anyone within ten feet to hear. "

"This is truly so embarrassing for you."

Acantha eyed Meliana crossly as they approached each other in the hallway.

Meliana's chin was tilted arrogantly, her lips curling into a smirk.

They stopped beside each other, and Acantha's smile was tight, her eyes cold.

"Worry less about that and more about the fact that you will never have him."

"Oh, we'll see about that," Meliana shot back before walking away.

"Also, you should be embarrassed," Acantha called after her, "after all, you're obsessed with a man who's already married."

Meliana's steps faltered, her nose flaring with barely restrained anger.

"Of what use is the marriage if he loves another?" she mocked cruelly, her eyes narrowing and her hands clenching into fists.

"Well, at least I'm the one he married," Acantha replied casually, then walked away without waiting for another response.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Acantha knocked twice before pushing open the door.

Ghod's head shot up, and his gaze softened when he saw her.

"Hello, wife," he drawled, placing the book he was holding on the table before rising to his feet.

"You seem upset," he noted as he walked closer and pulled her into his arms.

"I'm incensed. I just ran into your mistress in the hallway," Acantha said, her voice tight.

"Acantha, I've told you she's not my mistress," Ghod replied.

"Then why is she here? What is she still doing in our home?!" Acantha's voice was sharp, her frustration evident.

Ghod didn't respond immediately, merely studying her face intently as his thumbs drew soothing circles on her shoulders.

"Why do you still wear such dull colors?" he finally asked, a low rasp that tickled her senses deliciously.

"Don't change the topic, Ghod."

"Answer me," he urged breathlessly, his touch momentarily disorganizing her thoughts.

"I already told you; they make me feel more confident," she started, but he promptly cut her off.

"You don't need them to feel confident. I want you to wear brighter colors from now on."

"And I want you to remove Meliana from our home," Acantha replied sharply.

"I guess we both aren't going to get what we want then," she finished, her gaze darting to the floor in frustration.

He let go of her and stepped back slowly.

"You know I can't just kick her out," he began. "We were together for years before you. I was going to make her my wife."

Acantha folded her arms over her chest absently, and Ghod's eyes fell on the accentuated fullness of her bosom.

"I'm trying to understand you," Acantha said, but Ghod was only half listening.

She glanced up at him, a blush staining her cheeks as she recognized the heavy look in his eyes.

"No!" she protested, stepping away when he reached for her. "Helena…" he began, but she held up a hand for silence. "Don't kiss me… that was what you were about to do, right?"

"Yes," he muttered, then sighed. "I'm sorry, Helena"

"Don't be." She straightened, lowering her hands to her sides as she nodded slowly. "I understand that you feel like you owe her something, but I'm not happy with her presence here,"

she stared straight into his sapphire eyes. "I don't trust her either."

"I don't expect you to," Ghod stated, his voice firm yet gentle. He was both confused and aroused, confused by his reasons for still keeping Meliana in his home and aroused by the breathtaking woman standing before him.

Her assertiveness annoyed him, but he didn't want her to stop being that.

"She followed after you the other day when you left," Helena began. "I suspect she followed you."

"You don't know that for sure," he pointed out dryly.

"Well, I don't need to know anything for sure before telling you to be wary of her!"

Helena snapped, losing her grip on her temper.

This was her marriage! Even though she had been practically forced into accepting it, Ghod's calmness about her discomfort was infuriating.

"She could probably wake up tomorrow and try to harm me because she wants you!" Helena continued; her face twisted in anger.

"You are being very unreasonable right now."

She barked out a harsh laugh, her eyes blazing with fury. "I'm being unreasonable?! But you're the one running an illegal polygamous household!"

"That's enough, Helena"

"No, it's not!... don't touch me!" she yelled, stepping back from his touch.

Her chest heaved as they stared at each other, and she prayed the tears wouldn't fall before she could leave his office. "I won't talk to or with you until she leaves."

"That's not going to happen," he said calmly.

"Yes, it will. Is that unreasonable enough for you, Ghod?"

He pushed a hand through his hair in frustration and moved to pull her into his arms again. This time, she didn't fight him off.

"You are my wife, Helena," he whispered, "isn't that enough?"

She shook her head as the first tear fell from her eyes. "No, I want Meliana gone."

Ghod trailed his hands up to her cheek and brushed a thumb across the spot where the tear had stopped. He leaned down, pressing his mouth to where her tear had been.

"I want you to be happy."

"Then make me happy," she whispered weakly, her eyes fluttering as his lips brushed against hers once, twice, then pulled back.

"I want to, but I…" He paused at the cold look in her eyes. "I can't just tell her to leave, Helena…" Not yet."

He added silently, unsure when he could and not wanting to raise her hopes; Meliana still mattered to him.

She placed her hands against his chest and shoved him back. "Then don't bother seeking me out."