THIRTY TWO

Word Count: 1519

~Akara

Staring out the window, I admire the sun setting over the forest as I wrap my towel around me, stepping from the bath.

I wish the Jade Province still felt like home to me. But when I look out toward the forest, all I see is hidden memories, and endless amounts of pain and suffering.

Out there, Marek is somewhere, hunting down who hurt me. I wish I could call out to him, have him come here and save me. But mostly, I wish I could save myself. All that matters is finding a way to get the antidote for Marek, to save his life, before I start concentrating on how to save my own.

Yawning, I wander out from the bathroom, only to see Tai sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Ah!" I yelp, backing away a few steps.

"Woah, sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," he says, holding his hands up defensively. He's trying not to make me panic, and yet I watch as his eyes trail down my body, only covered by a towel. I shudder. This isn't good.

I narrow my eyes, wondering how I could physically force him from the room. "You're sitting on my bed, in my room which I didn't invite you into."

"You didn't answer my knocks. I came in thinking something had happened to you, but you were obviously bathing," he notes, motioning over me. I roll my eyes. How am I meant to survive here if Tai thinks it's okay to walk into my room whenever he pleases, as if we are actually a real engaged couple.

I prop my hands on my hips. "Yes...So you can go now."

"I wanted to talk to you," he murmurs quietly.

"Haven't we talked enough?"

He shakes his head. "I want to talk about our future."

Our future. He says it as if this isn't going to end with me getting the antidote for Marek then running for my life so I can be with the man I am truly in love with. Tai has deluded himself to the point where he actually thinks he's going to convince me to stay engaged to him, and then married, willingly.

"Which doesn't exist, if you continue to threaten me, and the people I care about," I growl, advancing on him. His eyes widen, giving him a doe-eyed look that I don't believe for a moment.

"It's to keep you safe," he reminds me.

I roll my eyes, turning around. "Whatever. I need to get dressed."

Grabbing some clothes, I wander into the bathroom, shutting the door most of the way, hoping he gets the hint and leaves me alone so I can get some sleep. There's nothing he can say to me that can bring him back into my favour, so I don't know why he puts so much effort into trying to convince me.

"We have some leads on who it may be that shot you," I hear him say from the other room as I tug my pants on.

"What are they?" I question.

I wouldn't tell him, but I have more faith that Marek will find who shot me before his guards are able to.

"We believe it was someone from a neighbouring village who came there for the specific reason of killing you. They may be leading a cause against you," he explains. I shove my shirt on, then emerge back from the bathroom, glaring at him.

"Great..."

Tai winces, tilting his head back and forth. "They have...interesting beliefs."

"Such as?"

"They believe in maintaining the balance of nature, that your existence goes against such a balance," he explains. Of course. There are plenty of people in this Province that support ridiculous beliefs, to the point they would be willing to kill to uphold them. I know that first hand, considering people's reaction to me killing the Beast.

I sigh. "Wonderful. So now I'm cursed."

"I believe our marriage will actually help. These people have been known to be against the rebellion, which means the support my reign. With you attached to me, they will less likely to retaliate again," he reiterates softly.

"For once, I may agree." It's not like I trust Tai, considering he brought me here and made my presence known to everyone in the Province, but were I not engaged to him, at some point, I would face the wrath of these crazed people.

Tai's shoulders slump forward. "I just hope Zavian sees it that way."

"He doesn't want you to use that weapon." No one wants him to use that weapon. It would cause mass devastation, but Tai is so patriotic, and has been involved in this war for most of his life, he doesn't care. As long as he wins.

"I don't want to have to, but I'm tempted to," he sighs, leaning forward as he digs his hands through his rampant curls.

This is uncharted territory, so I must tread clearly. "What would make you decide not to?"

"I'm not sure. My advisors tell me different strategies, I don't know who to believe," he mutters hopelessly.

He's on the fence, in the perfect position to change his mind. But how? Right now, there may be only one way I can get through to him, and that's through being exactly who he wants me to be....His wife.

"Would my opinion mean anything?" I ask gently, moving to sit next to him on the bed. I'm not going to push it, but perhaps making him think I'm on his side will make him more likely to see my point of view. And if he truly wants our marriage to work, then maybe he will neglect the development of this weapon to sate me.

"Of course your opinion means something to me. This is just...It's complicated," he exclaims, lowering his gaze to his hands.

"And was I not with you through everything during the rebellion? Did I not put my life on the line for you?" I remind him, trying to push him back to that mindset, when he wanted to help me, and believed I wanted to help him too.

He frowns, rubbing his palm over his forehead. "I know you did. But there is a reason why I kept things from you, why I didn't involve you in the politics."

I try not to let him see the anger beginning to simmer in me. "Because you didn't trust me."

I remember hating that he kept those things from me, choosing to confide in his father instead. I should never have made excuses back then.

"No, because it may have put you in danger, or put you under unnecessary stress. I was just trying to help you," he tells me. I nod along, hoping he thinks I believe him. His real reasons may never be exposed, but I think he had his doubts about me, especially with Marek involved, and didn't know if he could reveal all of his and Kailor's plans.

"I wish things were simpler," I muse.

"They will be, with time. And I'll let you go from this marriage, when you're safe." His gaze is earnest as he looks at me, looking tempted to reach out and touch me.

Would I let him, for the ruse?

"Do you promise?" I whisper.

He nods. "I promise."

Breathing in deeply, I go to look away, but the way Tai is staring at me as he pausing. Slowly, his eyes fall to my lips, and I can see him contemplating my reaction if he does decide to comply with his temptations.

He's going to kiss me.

Clearing my throat, I look away before he can try it. "What are you going to do about Zavian?"

Tai sighs, shifting uncomfortably, probably hoping I didn't see his obvious advance. "Hope that he aids me in the war. Hope that he isn't actually serious about wanting me to stop developing the weapon."

"I think he's pretty serious..."

"But it could save lives. I believe it can," he insists. Not without taking the lives of so many others. Especially those who have been forced into this war, encouraged by a need for the money.

"Why not negotiate with the rulers of this Province? Why not bring it to a stop without the war?" I offer.

He taps his lower lip with his index finger. "Because it's not that simple."

"But mass killing their soldiers is?" The bite to my tone comes back for a fleeting moment, which I carefully reign back in. Getting him to trust me, so he will take my opinion into consideration, isn't going to be easy.

"I need you on my side, Akara," he murmurs.

"Then take what I'm saying into consideration...please." I hope I don't come off as begging, but that is essentially what I have to do.

Tai sighs, gaze roving over me. "Alright. I'll think about it."

🎀••🎀

Remember that you can always find this story 10 chapters ahead on Radish (:

You will find it under King's Possession Season Three!!

~Midika 🐼💜