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10
~Akara
We all stand in the main part of the workshop, staring at the paper on the table.
None of us want to touch it. There is no confirmation that whatever is in there will implicate Tai, and yet we all linger uncomfortably. If there is something in there, Zavian, Nakoa and I both are hesitant to reveal it, to taint the image of Tai that we all have. And all of this is because of what Evolet said right before she died.
“Shall we read it?” Zavian asks, looking between us.
Marek leans against the wall, not having said a word. He's been patient
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The King’s Obsession 11
~AkaraI stare out toward the forest, remembering moments where things were easier.Zavian sits next to me, letting me be silent for some time. It's frustrating, having so many questions, their answers only capable of coming from one man, who could be anywhere right now. And I'm not sure I can face him, after what has been revealed to me."Remind me of why Marek is here again," Zavian asks after awhile.He's been holding onto that question, I can tell."Believe it or not, he was working on our side the entire time," I explain, still hardly able to believe it myself. Marek sacrificed so much for me, and now I'm unsure if I'll ever be able to repay him. "Well, he was trying to protect me. He protected my family and everything, when I couldn't.""I don't trust him. Whether he saved my life or not." Zavian's expression remains solemn, as he looks out into the forest. Zavian didn't know Marek like I did, so I can't blame him for having reservations.I nod, wrapping my arms around myself. "
The King’s Obsession 12
~AkaraImmediately I'm leaning forward, trying to get a glimpse of what is written on the note."What does it say?" I question, grabbing the small edge of it, marvelling at how much writing has been tucked onto one small piece of paper. Part of it is frayed, practically falling apart in Marek fingers, clearly having been in that ring since Tai made it, all those months ago, meaning he intended for me to see it now, and not back then."It's a bit smudged, but it's an address," Marek murmurs, pushing it into my hands. It's in the Scarlet Province, right in the centre of the city. I've always been frightened by the idea of the city for a long time, warned about it's dangers by my parents.Now, I'm going to have to go there to find Tai."What about the bottom part?" Marek prompts, flicking the bottom of the paper.If it happens, I'm here. Come find me for answers.Tai.He knew. But how?How could Tai have known I would fall victim to the river? A cold stain of fear creeps over my skin, re
The King’s Obsession 13
~VaelaI stare up out of the carriage window, admiring the sprawling buildings at heights I've never conceived of before."So this is what a city looks like," I marvel, tilting my head to get a better look.This place is almost the exact opposite of the Jade Province. Instead of trees, there are endless buildings and roads paved through them, copious amounts of people mulling about, minding their own business. It's like one of the villages, but tripled in size, with enough people to fill all these buildings."I don't recommend any of you going for a walk without someone else with you," Marek instructs, bringing my gaze back to his. "This place is very unforgiving.""We will be fine," Zavian mutters."I've been here a few times on tours with Kailor. I've never liked it," Nakoa says, shivering. She has huddled closer to Zavian, avoiding looking out the window. Whatever memories haunt her, I doubt she is going to share them with us, and I wouldn't dare ask.All of a sudden the carriage c
The King’s Obsession 14
~AkaraI gape at him, waiting for him to tell me he's joking.But it never comes."Then I die," I decide. There is no way I can take another life to save my own, not when I put myself in a position for Vaia to plunge me into the river. The onus is on me, and I should never have survived the river in the first place, and if it wasn't for Tai's cure, I wouldn't have anyway.The decision seems easy. I can't possibly go through with this, no matter what anyone says.But then there is the small reality in the back of my mind that haunts me. The Snow Demon. No, surely that does not count. I have to hold onto the belief that Tai is wrong, that killing a Tani isn't actually a part of saving my life. I refuse to bring this up to him, in case he kills me himself, thinking I'm going to become a monster right before his eyes."Uh ah, I'm not letting that happen." Tai looks shocked, like he can't see why I would even say that. Does he not know me at all anymore?"Tai, whatever you think is between
The King’s Obsession 15
~AkaraMarek and I promptly set up on the floor, with not much to sleep on other than the couch cushions.But I'll take anything over climbing back into bed with Tai right now."How do you feel?" Marek asks, turning his head to face me. I stare up at the ceiling, trying not to think too much about Marek's proximity. We don't touch, but our sleeping area's are set up right next to each other's. Somehow, it makes me feel safer, even if I'm not sure what from."Sick, honestly," I murmur, clutching my stomach. It twists painfully, the anxiety of the entire situation having taken me in it's ruthless clutches. "I have to kill to survive.""There will be another way, I'm certain of it,” Marek mutters, although I hear the uncertainty in his voice. Neither of us have dealt with something like this before, and neither have many other people. It leaves us with nowhere to turn to for answers, and I’m terrified of that.I roll onto my side, propping my head up with my arm. "Who else would be able
The King’s Obsession 16
~AkaraA hand on my shoulder jostles me, pulling me out of blissful unconsciousness."Akara. Wake up." It's Tai's voice.For a moment, I'm transported back, to when him and I shared a bed, when I loved him with everything in me, and there was nothing in our relationship to hide from each other. And then cold, painful reality seeps back into me, and my eyes flutter open, seeing his emerald ones looking down at me."What's going on?" I growl, sitting up. Marek is no longer lying asleep behind me, although it's can't be too late in the morning, watery sunlight only just starting to peek through the curtains."I brought you something," Tai murmurs.He steps back, revealing a person standing in the middle of the living room, looking stunned and mortified. The have dark hair and eyes, and can't be very far into their adult years. Whoever they are, it's clear Tai either manipulated them into being here, or is threatening them."Who is this?" I ask warily."Not sure, but they are a Summoner."
The King’s Obsession 17
~AkaraWe didn't get very far.At least we've made it out of the Scarlet Province, from the looming city that terrifies me. But what terrifies me more is sitting in the same space as Marek and Tai. Thankfully they haven't spoken the entire nine hours we have been travelling, preferring to sit in seething silence, which I like just fine too.Rain started soon after leaving the city, but now that dusk has fallen, has turned into a raging storm. We all mutually decided to stop at a nearby village for the night, which may be the only thing we can agree on for a while.Marek stays close to my side as we wander into the inn. It's small, but it will do for one night. I'm eager for sleep too, exhausted from travelling and worrying about Marek and Tai all day.Tai walks up to the front desk, while the rest of us linger back. "We will take five rooms.""I'm sorry sir, we only have two rooms," she responds, gaze darting between him and us. There are three imposing men in here that would terrify
The King’s Obsession 18
~AkaraThe air in the cabin of the carriage is ice cold and tense as we head into the Jade Province.After last night, I haven't felt very much like talking. Tai sits beside me, a manoeuvre he made when getting in that made me want to jab him the ribs with my elbow, but I've kept quiet, not wanting anyone to ask questions.Although, it's painfully obvious something happened last night in our room. Marek has been watching me carefully ever since I got into the carriage this morning.“Everything okay?” he eventually asks.“I’m fine," I murmur, looking out the window.“You don’t look fine," Zavian notes. I turn to look at my friend, annoyed that he is so good at reading me now, that he can see that something is plaguing my mind. Zavian knows what it is like to have something weigh on you.I shrug, letting out a breath I didn't realise I had been holding. “I just didn’t sleep very well.”That's an understatement. Despite being tired, I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss with Tai, and w
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