Chapter 102: Like treason.
Lady Cadelaria sneered, "You think I am a fool. You are reeking of hormones and you claim that you are going to teach her a lesson! If you are truly going to discipline her, then I am a rabbit! No, I will not leave. I must protect you from this dangerous woman. Sienna, mark my words: if you dare seduce him again, I will..." She huffed and hissed, trying to think of something that would make Sienna afraid.
In the old days, she would simply yell ’Roll’ and the problem would be dealt with. That era was over now.
Sienna smiled provocatively, and she slow walked towards Elias. Then, she bent down and gave him a loud, abrupt kiss on the cheek. She smirked at Lady Cadelaria. "What will you do?"
Lady Cadelaria paled.
Elias chuckled again, tail curling around Sienna’s waist possessively. "Mother, you worry too much. Sienna is my wife. If I want to kiss her, I will. Even if you remain inside my office, I will do what I want. That’s all."
Sienna slapped the tail softly.
Lady Cadelaria snorted.
Sienna sighed. "Okay, enough with the drama, I am leaving now. You can stay back and bad mouth me to your son as much as you want."
With flourish, she left the office.
****
From Elias’s office, Sienna returned to the beckoning comfort of her cottage compound. She found Shalin in the courtyard, working with another servant on chopping up cabbage that would make up Sienna’s lunch salad. She was the one that told Sienna that the rest of the family was in the backyard.
She went around, and pushed the newly installed wooden gate that led to the gardens. Her entire family was waiting over there. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, step-sister, mother, even her children. They all stood in a semicircle around the garden, staring at her as if she were a criminal returning from the trial.
The garden itself was bustling with life. New plants had sprouted where the old ones had been and rows of enormous tomatoes glistened under the sun, red and plump like swollen jewels. Everyone was holding a farming tool, as they had come to harvest the latest miracles of the Falcon god or Fox god, depending on who as asked. But rather than joy, the air was thick with tension.
Her mother stepped forward first, arms crossed, eyes blazing. "Sienna Miller," she said, voice sharp enough to cut stone. "Do you know what I saw today? You, fighting a beast woman on live stream! Sienna, who told you I raised you to be a gladiator?"
Sienna winced. Of course the fight had been broadcast. Beast men just loved to put everything out there. A human versus beast man fight was something too juicy not to share: especially because of her identity and choice of weapon. While the crowd had cheered, her family was looking at her as if she had committed treason.
"Mama, are you okay?" Ali ran to her, leaping into her arms.
Uncle Daren’s wings swept out and he grabbed the girl before she could throw herself into the arms of his niece who might be wounded.
But because the little one started shrieking and crying, Sienna recovered her quickly. "I am okay Ali boo. I fought valiantly and won."
Mrs. Miller hissed.
Sienna protested, "I did, and I didn’t ask to be streamed! Old Benita was challenging my authority. What was I supposed to do, sit down and cry? I fought back!"
Her mother’s nostrils flared. "You fought back, yes. But did you stop to think of calling your husband to intervene? You are human for crying out loud. A fight in the arena is very different from catching your enemy off guard and pummeling them!"
Aunt Linera laughed on the hand. "She was magnificent. We should praise her before ripping into her."
Corven Junior snickered behind his hands. "Kitchen warrior, that is the name they have given you online, sister Sienna."
"No, its Pan goddess." Eli corrected, shooting Junior a glare for some reason.
Grandma Byra shuffled forward, leaning on her cane. "Sienna dear, we were all worried. Fighting in the arena is dangerous, especially when your opponent has claws, more strength and greater agility. What if you had been hurt? What if she scratched your face or eyes...what if she didn’t kill you but left permanent scars?"
Sienna sighed. "Grandma Byra, I’m fine. Look, not even a scratch." She held out one arm, balancing Ali on the opposite hip. The can of pepper spray fell to the ground.
Aunt Numia, who had been forced to join the farming activities, clutched her chest. In her ever dramatic fashion, she yelled, "You are fine, but the situation is not fine. You did not fight with honor, you fought dirty. You humiliated Madam Benita. Do you know how many enemies you’ve made? They will surely be looking for revenge and we are all unsafe here."
Sienna’s patience snapped. "Then move! I have never forced you to move here Numia. Let me make it clear, I will never accept disrespect from anyone. Not Benita and not you. And I will never hide in the face of confrontation. If they attack, I will fight back."
Grandpa Corven stuck his chest out. "That’s my granddaughter. Sienna, don’t pay any mind to what Numia is saying. I believe that you did the right thing. As the wife of the fox lord, the position of Leader for that council of ladies is supposed to be yours anyway. If you cannot prove yourself to them, they will always step over you. Enough talking, let’s begin the harvest."
The Rocland’s moved immediately, nodding respectfully at Sienna before moving on. Numia had to be dragged away, with her mouth covered by Corven Junior’s hand.
Eli said to Sienna, "I think the pan is silly and I think you should have asked papa for help. But, I am glad you did not lose and embarrass the family." He walked away, to sit in his father’s large chair, in the shade, beneath the hives.
Sienna rolled her eyes. "What a brat!" He simply couldn’t congratulate her. He had to add something wise! Did the boy simply take after his father or was his personality naturally prickly?
And she still had another problem: her mother! Mrs. Miller did not look done.