The King's Obsession ✔️

THREE

Word Count: 1425

~Akara

Shivering, I push the front door open with my shoulder, struggling not to make any noise and I move my stuff out to the carriage outside.

I said my goodbyes to my family last night, who seemed reluctant at my idea to go to the Azure Province by myself, considering the last time I was there I got kidnapped. But I know I need to go, even if this early hour in the morning is somewhat painful. Marek doesn't know I'm alive, and I have a digging need within me to find him, and let him know what happened to me.

Even if I'm still not exactly sure what's going on myself...

"Akara..."

I jump, looking out toward the entrance of the driveway, where a figure approaches, a hood pulled over their head. I don't need to see their face to know exactly who is approaching.

"Nakoa! What are you doing here?" I question, rushing over to her. She pulled her hood away, revealing her bright red hair and wary eyes. I thought perhaps that she would have been imprisoned, or even killed by her. So seeing her standing here in front of me, alive, is an immense relief.

She stumbles forward, grasping either side of my arms. "You're alive...How is that possible?"

Breathing in deeply, I start to explain the story, right from when Marek saved me from Vaia's clutches, till now, now that my memory has returned.

Nakoa stays silently through the entire story, chewing on her nails incessantly. I even tell her about Evolet, and what her final words to me were. Strangely, Nakoa doesn't seem surprised at my admission, and doesn't even question it. I wouldn't be surprised if her and Evolet have had the same experience, and witnessed the same things.

"Is Tai okay?" I ask softly, bracing myself for the answer.

"He's alive. Marek got him out, but he has fled, Vaia having ransacked his father's estate," she explains, breath hitched. I can't blame her for being so anxious. She clearly was forced out of her home, and barely escaped, by the sounds of it.

Relief has me wavering in my spot. Tai is alive...And saved my Marek, no less.

I wrap my coat around myself more, wishing the sun would hurry and come up. "Is Evolet..."

"Yes, she is dead," Nakoa says in a rushed voice, tensing. My heart falters, seeing the sadness that flood Nakoa's eyes, even as she tries to compose herself like she is not. "I went looking for her body to bury it."

Nakoa and I have never had a close relationship in the manor, and yet I can't help myself, reaching out to embrace her. She let's me, resting her chin on my shoulder as he breath's become uneven. She's cold beneath my touch, having walked through the early hours of morning for a while to get here.

"She was like a sister to you, I can't imagine what you're going through," I murmur quietly. Focusing on her grief makes it easier to push mine away. I hardly knew Evolet...I shouldn't be as sad as I am.

"Me? You're the one who may be transitioning to a Tani," Nakoa exclaims, seeming to remember what she is doing her as she pulls away, brushing a stray tear away with her gloved fingers. "You should be resting, not...what are you doing?"

She looks toward the carriage, and the few belongings to scrounge up from my family's home that are stuffed into it.

"I'm going to the Azure Province, to find Marek," I tell her, popping the door open. "He was always trying to help me, Nakoa. He was never my enemy."

I expect her to be betrayed, but she merely nods.

"I believe you." She shudders, clearly freezing standing out here with no sun. "I was coming to see your family, to inform them of your death. It felt like the right thing to do."