Having survived the River, Akara wakes alone, and with a decision to make.
Find Marek, the mysterious hunter who saved her life through deception and lies?
Or find Taius, the King, who's lies are coming to the surface.
And through the decision on...
I shift uncomfortably. That might not be entirely untrue, but I'm only in this situation because of him. I should have the right to keep myself safe...
"Those are probably the people Vaia indoctrinated," I snap. "And she only got her information about a cure for the river from you. So in reality, this is still all your fault."
"I'm frightened of them getting to you, of them hurting you," he says, disregarding my harsh words.
He knows this is his fault. But rather than grant me freedom, he has it in his head that this is the right thing to do. But if he truly cared about me, he would never force an engagement on me, and he wouldn't have Marek locked away in a prison, where he may intend for Marek to be executed.
I grit my teeth. "I can look after myself."
"Maybe. But here, I know you'll be safe," he challenges.
I could explode with anger right now, but instead I settle my emotions with a calm breath, trying to focus on getting whatever I can out of this.
My hands roll into fists from behind me. "Why do I have to marry you?"
"It's the best way to keep you here, politically, I mean. If people believe we are no longer together, they will see me as weak. This way, we can help each other," he explains carefully. I'm bewildered, that he expects me to do his any favours, but I doubt there is anything I can say right now to get what I want.
Whether I like it or not, I have to bide my time until I can come up with a way to get out of here in a way that won't have me tracked down by Tai for the rest of my life.
"If you mean well, you'll let Marek go," I barter. If I'm agreeing to stay here, I need to ensure Marek's safety, otherwise Tai will have his way with him. I want him to think he's convincing me, that he is getting somewhere with me.
"He will kill me," he mutters flatly.
"He won't. Not if I talk to him," I assure him. And he won't. At least not right now. If it's for my safety, he will be civil, because he actually loves me, and he respects my decision. I just don't know how to convey that reality to Tai, who thinks Marek is still a traitor who stole me away from him.
Tai grits his teeth, battling with his internal monologue. "What if I promised to think about it?"
"I don't want to be here, Tai," I remind him.
"Let me keep you safe, even if it's just for a year or two," he murmurs.
A year or two might not sound like the end of the world, considering I'm now a Tani and my life span will be slightly longer than usual. But so much has happened in these past two years, that the thought of having to go through more, when I thought I finally had my life sorted out is terrifying.
"I want to live my life, not to be tied to someone I don't love anymore," I snap. Safe or not, an engagement has other connotations that he can't deny.
"I'm still in love with you, Akara. You're who I want to spend the rest of my life with. But that's not the main motivation for wanting you to marry me," he says. I believe it, but only partially. I wouldn't be surprised if he had hopes we would fall in love with each other like last time.
There is no way I'm letting that happen.
"If I have no other choice in this, then you must know that you will not be expecting any kind of typical wife duties, do you understand?" I tell him firmly. He wouldn't force me, I know that, but I won't even pretend for him, even if it is for my safety. I would rather be locked up in here then be forced to pretend to be in love with him.
He frowns. "Of course, but-"
"No. I will not be romantic with you, and I definitely won't fuck you," I growl. I need him to fully understand, to not expect it from me at any point.
"I would never force you into anything," he says gently, looking hurt I would even say that. If I thought there was much remaining of the old Tai, then I wouldn't have to. I never thought in the beginning of our engagement that he would do anything like this.
"And you're going to let Marek out." I'm firm. It's the only thing I want, other than his promise to stay away from me. Marek doesn't deserve to be dragged into this.
He tilts his head back and forth, considering it. "If I let him out, he's not staying here, though."
"Alright fine. But he can visit."
Him and I have just come back together. The thought of being without him suddenly after a month of being in close proximity makes my heart hurt. And to go through this engagement with Tai without his response makes my heart hurt.
"Maybe."
"You can go now," I mutter dismissively, turning back to look out at the view. Partially because I want him to know he cannot assume we will ever be friends again, that I don't want to talk to him other than what is completely necessary, and because tears start to gather in my eyes.
I can hear the conflict in his voice, the pain. "Akara..."
"Please send someone in. I assume you're going to provide me with clothing," I say. Just leave.
He eventually sighs, pulling back. "Absolutely. Goodnight."
The moment the door closes, I crawl into bed, pulling the covers over me. Marek is safe, that is all that matters. I can stay here, make it work. I've been through worse, and eventually, I will find a way out of here.
Even if I have to kill Tai...
An hour passes before I hear the door to my room open.
I barely look over my shoulder, noting the silent footsteps must belong to a staff member, delivering my clothing from Tai. The dresser drawers open, and then close again, but the footsteps don't retreat.
"Akara?"
Frowning, I turn around, sitting up in the bed. A man dressed in the usual staff uniform stands there, staring at me with large, deep brown eyes. They appear as though they know me, but I'm sure I've never seen them in my life.
"Sorry? Do I know you?" I ask warily, getting to my feet, suddenly feeling vulnerable lying in bed.
He says nothing in response for a long moment, before he strides toward me, and before I can question him, he grab me, and feverishly pulls me into him.
A gasp is all that has time to pass by my lips, as he leans down, and kisses me.
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You will find it under King's Possession Season Three!!
