37

~Akara

I stare up into Zavian's earnest blue eyes, stunned.

“I’m sorry…What?”

“Think about it,” he breathes, going to grab my hands, but I pull them away quickly, unsure of his motivations, scared I'm about to be forced into another marriage. Zavian is my best friend, not someone I want to marry. “It would be a way around the law, if you became engaged to another King.”

“I…I guess," I stutter. He's right, it could be a way around the law, but how would Tai retaliate? And the thought of this being something different...

I've lost way too many friends. I refuse to lose Zavian.

“It wouldn’t be for long. Just until Tai is no longer a threat," he assures me, seeing my flustered expression. Despite my panic, I believe him. He knows what I've been through, and wouldn't put me through that again without good reason. And being forced into a marriage with Tai is definitely a good one.

I shift on my feet, lowering voice. “This idea is good, Zavian, but Tai is holding something over me.”

“What?”