FIFTEEN

Word Count: 2092

I can't get Zavian out of my head.

Last night, he refused to tell me much more, encouraging me to go inside before the blood kicked in. Out of fear I did, sneaking back into my room where I locked my door, tossing and turning all night, unable to get the sight of Zavian with blood all around his mouth out of my head.

Now Tai stands in front of me, pacing. Afternoon has glided into evening, a fuchsia tinted light drenching the floor around us, distorted slightly by the lace curtain fluttering in the breeze.

"Are you going to be okay with this?" he asks softly, pausing to approach me. I force a smile onto my face as he slides his hands into mine, tightening his grip on my fingers.

I've decided I'm not going to tell him about Zavian. Not until I speak to him myself first.

"It's just dinner," I say with a shrug.

Kailor has summoned us to a proper dinner tonight, instead of allowing me to eat in the kitchen in secret, wanting to avoid as many people here as possible. This means he wants something from us, or is about to share what none of us want to hear. All I know is that he suspects I am working with Marek and Vaia, trusting me about as much as I trust him.

"I don't like the way my father looks at you," Tai mutters, jaw tightening. He speaks as a protective lover would, my throat drying in response. "If he says a single word out of turn..."

"Tai, it's okay. You look very handsome, by the way," I note, looking across him. He's kept it simple, his jacket only lightly embroidered around the cuffs and collar, the threading the same emerald green as his eyes. And his rings have returned, adorning his fingers with unspeakable amounts of wealth.

Tai's gaze falls upon my own ring, gifted to me by him. It's the perfect fit, so pretty and simple I've vowed to never take it off.

"You're wearing the ring," he notes, picking up my hand to examine it.

"I'm never going to take it off," I assure him.

He looks up at me, gaze consumed by a myriad of emotions, all of which are impossible to read. He seems surprised by that, lips parted slightly. Him and I haven't yet pushed the romantic tension that mulls between us any further yet, meaning I don't owe him anything. Yet this ring is a beautiful gift, and I've come to truly adore Tai.

He holds his elbow out for me to link my arm around. "Shall we go then?"

I nod, breathing in deeply. I'm not sure if it will ever get easy to face Kailor, even with if Tai is on my side this time, who has much less to lose for speaking out against his father. I've kept it simple and formal with my outfit tonight, a shawl wrapped protectively over my shoulders.

Kailor is already sitting in the dining room when we walk in, Zavian sitting on one side of him, Nakoa on the other, who both look down at their empty plates.

The room is smaller than I expected, the table only big enough for a intimate gathering. I only allow myself a moment to admire how beautifully the room is dressed, contrasting the deep wooden colours of the furniture with the creamy white archway that Tai and I step through. And of course, the magnificent paintings framed with gold, all depicting images of faraway lands and their ineffable beauty so magically.

We hardly have a chance to sit down before Kailor starts speaking. "Taius, son...How have you managed to allow your sister to completely take over your throne?"

Tai releases a long sigh, settling into his chair.

"Vaia hasn't taken over the throne, father. She wants to destroy it completely. She will be coming for yours next," he mutters darkly. Tai knows exactly what to say to irk his father, the bitterness already creeping into Kailor's ebony gaze.

I used to think Vaia and Tai must share most of their features with their mother, but now I see differently. Vaia has such a similar to face to him, the same attitude and unbridled confidence. Tai and Kailor share the same beauty - the sweeping lines of their faces, the curve of their mouths. I'm not sure how I didn't see it earlier.

"She knows my kingdom is far too large for her little rebellion," Kailor waves his hand dismissively.

It's both the truth, and a dig at Tai.

"It's not little. It's a threat, and I'm going to need all your men to get that land back before the people start drinking from the Forbidden River," Tai tells him, no room to negotiate in his tone. I'm surprised they left it until tonight to discuss this. Personally, I thought this dinner would be about avoiding Kailor's wrath.

"Let them drink," Kailor says with a wave of his hand, before taking a long drink from his glass. "Death is far more merciful than anyone having to deal with their stupidity."

I feel Tai tense next to me, but I keep my gaze trained on Zavian. He's looking rough tonight, hair rumbled, dark circles looming under his glacial blue eyes. He hasn't looked at me once so far. Nakoa seems pleased enough to do that for him. She hasn't changed a bit, eyes still mercilessly intent as before.

What compelled her to stay behind?

"Vaia could die...They are my people," Tai says breathlessly.

My throat dries, as I realise Tai does still care about Vaia, despite all of this. It's clear Kailor doesn't, which he can't be fully blamed for. Vaia has dug her own grave, and after everything, I'm surprised Tai has the ability to still care about her. I'm still bitter, the scar on my stomach a reminder of why.

"We are looking into it, okay son?" Kailor empathizes. "I'll be damned if I let that brat take my land."

"Vaia is smarter than you think," Tai warns.

"Is she? Well, Akara, perhaps you can play more of a part than servicing my son," Kailor mutters, turning his attention back to me.

I refuse to flinch under his unrelenting gaze, although my insides churn uncomfortably, dread creeping up upon me. Last time I was under Kailor's scrutiny like this, he asked me to join him in his room. Everyone else in the room seems to sense the tension also, Zavian finally lifting his gaze to me.

"Father," Tai growls softly, the lethal undertones to his voice vibrating through me.

"Akara had no interest in Zavian's advances, so I assume that if it isn't the hunter who has her eye, it's you, Taius," Kailor exults, clearly enjoying the reaction he rises out of Tai and I.

All eyes immediately flicker to me, Tai's burning into the side of my face before I turn to stare back. His expression may by unreadable, but his gaze shows how surprised he is at this revelation. I can practically sense how much he is scouring through his mind to determine when Zavian may have come onto me.

Tai turns his head slowly toward Zavian, eyeing his friend with an intense passion. Zavian slowly shakes his head, looking mortified to be under Tai's scrutiny.

"What part do you want me to play?" I ask Kailor, drawing the attention anyway from the brooding pair who may just stare at each other for the entirety of the night.

And if Kailor wants me to play more of a part...I may have no other choice but to give it.

"There are rumours of a local bar owner who serves my soldiers, feeding rebel rhetoric into their ears to turn them. I want you to go there, spy." Kailor tilts his head back and forth, watching for my to crack, to disagree and give him a hint that my intentions here are less than honourable.

"That's not happening," Tai cuts in, hand clenching into a fist on the table. "You forget that there is a hunter who wants her dead, and so far has done an excellent job of finding her."

I shiver, not expecting him to bring Marek up.

"If he wanted me dead he would have already killed me," I remind him. I truly believe now, that Marek doesn't have any intention to kill me, not right now. It gives me valuable room to help Tai and Kailor. "I'll do it."

"Akara...He could hurt you, or take you back to Vaia," Tai says quietly from beside me, although we both know everyone else is listening. It's evident in Tai's gaze that he's terrified, genuinely frightened of what Marek is capable of.

"So willing to prove your innocence to me...Just how I like it," Kailor drawls, the grin on his face making me sick. "Elan will take you in two days."

I shiver, not realising that cursed Summoner would be accompanying me.

I hadn't even realised anyone was playing live music until the pianist goes off key, the sound jarring through the room. We all turn our head toward the dark haired girl, who shrugs sheepishly toward us before continuing. Dismissing it, I look back, only to see Nakoa smothering a smile. Are they friends?

"These hopeless musicians. If she wasn't so talented I would have killed her," Kailor says, laughing merrily, although no one shares his humour.

The girl rolls her eyes. "I hope you do."

"I think I will retire to my room now," Nakoa says, painting her face with a neutral expression, although I see the amusement glistening in her eyes from the pianists retort.

Kailor waves his hand dismissively, and Nakoa gets up. I watch as her and the girl leave the room, casting it into an uneasy silence. I shift in my seat, wishing I could get up and go with them, even if I don't like Nakoa very much, and she doesn't trust me at all.

"This issue with Vaia will be resolved shortly, I imagine," Kailor says once the girls have left the room.

"The sooner Akara and I can return, the better," Tai confirms.

Kailor's gaze shifts to me, dark and menacing. "And will you attempt to marry my son again?"

I pause, unsure of how to answer that. I've been thinking about that for quite some time, toying with the idea. I'm not wanting to push what Tai and I have, yet at the same time, the idea of marrying him once we return is quite pleasing. If we do so, there will hopefully be no pressure, since no one is going to expect it of me to be with him.

"The rebel presence will no longer be there at that point, so there will be no need for a marriage," I say, knowing that's what Kailor wants to hear. I feel Tai tense up beside me. "However, Tai and I will keep in touch."

"Even though you're just a peasant girl?" Kailor continues, testing me.

"Akara is equal to me in all respects," Tai reminds him firmly. "I encourage you to understand that."

Kailor leans back in his seat, eyeing us both. Eventually, he draws in a long breath, rolling his eyes, the most casual manoeuvre I've seen him make since meeting him, getting to his feet.

"Another disappointing encounter," he mutters. "I think I'll dine elsewhere, tonight."

No one speaks as he walks out the door, each of us staring at our empty plates. This was less so of a dinner, and more so a meeting under the facade of a friendly, casual family event.

Zavian mutters his goodbyes, quickly getting up to walk out, leaving Tai and I sitting there i silence. Just as I go to stand, Tai grabs my hand, meeting my gaze.

"Come to my room tonight. I want to show you something," he breathes.

💛••💛

If you guys want to read ahead, you can read more of KING'S SEDUCTION on Radish! It's chapters ahead of Wattpad (:

You'll will find it under KING'S POSSESSION on Radish, as season 2!

👑••👑

I'm officially rewriting Alpha Jasper's story now on Radish! It will be following the same storyline with the same characters, but with revised scenes and some new ones!

I love Jasper's story so much that I wanted to go back and rewrite it. I hope you guys will enjoy it, you can find it now on Radish (:

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~Midika 💜🐼