Word Count: 1719

~Akara

I don't remember dozing off.

"Akara...Wake up." I jolt up, pressing my back against the wall of the carriage, staring back at Marek, startled. He removes his hand from my arm, successfully having shaken me awake.

"What's going on?" I ask, rubbing my bleary eyes. The carriage rattles uneasily, suggesting we are on uneven terrain. The flimsy curtain has been pulled over the small window of the carriage, watery light stream through it's sheer fabric.

"You fell asleep." Marek doesn't look as though he has slept, his clothing unrumpled and hair in relatively undisturbed condition. "We have arrived in the Emerald Province."

Turning, I rip the curtain open, gazing outside.

"Woah...It's raining," I note, taking in the thick droplets that litter the glass, streaming down as it continues to pour.

From what I can see outside, we pass over a pretty bridge, below, a raging river forges itself through the hills, winding into the distance. I'm far warmer here, despite the rain, allowing me to shed one of the jackets that does not belong to me. I realise calmly that it's Marek's, and at some point while I was sleeping, he draped it over me.

"We are nearly at our destination," Marek murmurs, taking the jacket as I hand it to him. From what I can see out the window, there isn't much by rolling hills, that make it apparent why this place has been named Emerald Province.

"All that information tired me out. My head hurts," I comment, pressing my palm against my forehead as if it's any use against the persistent pounding in my temples.

Marek's brows furrow ever-so-slightly with concern. "You can get as much rest as you need when we arrive."

"I shouldn't be resting, I should be getting back to Tai."

Is he even alive right now? Marek has tried to convince me that he will be, but I can't help but cling to the lingering thought that Vaia may have disposed of him. She must know I'll return to save him, unless she is convinced I left to be with Marek.

I shake those wicked thoughts from my mind. I can't be thinking like that when Tai is in danger, it's not fair.

"You and I both know it would be better for you to relax for a moment so we can figure out a plan with a clear head," Marek reminds me, although my mind is far from clear. I'm still struggling to process what Marek has revealed to me.

"You'll really help me free Tai?" I ask tentatively.

"If he's alive, yes," Marek says with a mindless shrug. Something tells me he wouldn't mind so much if Tai is revealed to be dead after all. What would I even do then? Would I stay with Marek, or does he have other plans?

"You used your powers..." I breathe. "Your mark is gone."

Hints of it are already returning, the softest silver sheen beginning to gather at his hairline, ready to rain down like sapphires and diamonds in a matter of days. Now, his forehead is covered by a fringe of bronze hair, brushing along his eyelashes.

"I didn't want to have to do that in front of you, but I had to get you out of there," he admits softly, looking down at his hands, perhaps in shame.

"So...How did you do that?"

One moment those guards were fine, holding Zavian and I captive, before they turned their guns on themselves. The way Marek strode through the door the next moment made it clear he was behind the event, even if I'm struggling to understand how. I've always known he is powerful. It's been eluded to many times, and yet never revealed.

"I got into all their heads and made them kill themselves," he explains with a shrug, as if it means nothing at all.

Dumbfounded, I watch him lean down and dig into a small black rucksack I hadn't noticed was there. "So you're telling me you're not a normal Summoner?"

"I've been telling you that since I met you." He pulls out a flask, handing it to me. Warily, I pop the lid and take a sniff, relieved to have it revealed to be nothing but water. Marek watches me with cold eyes as I drink the entire contents of the flask, handing it back to him gratefully. If that doesn't quell my headache, I'm not sure what will.

"Yes, but you never told me what your powers were," I remind him. I hope he remembers how desperately I wanted to know in the past. I'm more than relieved for it to finally be revealed.

"I didn't want to scare you," he admits solemnly. "I was going to tell you, when we got away from Tai."

I startle. It feels as though it happened so long ago, before the betrayal, where I was falling in love with Marek. Back then, the goal was to escape with him, to maybe start a life together. Even back then I was too caught up in everything else to actually consider the implications of our plan. What would a life with Marek even look like?

All of a sudden the carriage comes to a stop. Pulling the curtain to the side, I peer out, realising that the rolling meadows have disappeared, replaced by the edge of a forest, and nestled into it, an impressive manor that can't possibly belong to a commoner.

"Woah..." I gasp.

"I hope you're ready to meet Tyrien," Marek comments, popping the door to the carriage open. A sweet scented breeze billows in, the essence of jasmine and peony lingering in a way that makes my nose start to itch.

"Wait...What did you just say?"

Marek motions for me to step out of the carriage, looking unbothered by what he is telling me. "The King."

"I know who he is," I say, stepping out and into the rain, which has thankfully lightened to a soft drizzle. Despite the rain, everything around us glistens, from the trees, to the sweeping garden that leads up to the manor. "How do you know the King?"

"We met recently, when I came here before saving you. He tried to recruit me for his army, but naturally I disagreed," Marek explains, feet planted on the gravel as he closes the carriage door.

I doubt Marek would work for anyone anymore, especially after what happened with Tai. And being that Tyrien is a King, I imagine Marek doesn't want anything from him other than a friendship. I'm curious about that relationship though, since Tyrien isn't just a King in the Emerald Province, but the ultimate King over the entire land.

"And suddenly you're best friends?" I ask, watching for his reaction as we walk toward the manor.

He shrugs his shoulders. "He knows I'm in trouble and wants to help."

In other words, no one can get to use here. Not Vaia, especially. I doubt she would have the guts to go out of the Jade Province let alone to Tyrien's door step.

"Why can't he go in there and save Tai?" I ask, although I already know the answer. Nothing is as simple as walking in somewhere as the King, no matter the cause. I already feel bad enough that me, a complete stranger is showing up on a King's doorstep looking for shelter. The last time that happened...well, I wouldn't be here if it hadn't.

"That would be a political nightmare," Marek affirms.

Just as we approach the entrance of the manor, a figure appears from around the side of the house, looking distracted by something in his hands. Instinctually, I startle, surprised by his height and overall impressive stature. He wears a dark tunic, tattoos rearing up from his chest and to his neck. I realise coldly that he's holding a dagger in his hand.

"Varian, it's good to see you," Marek greets, holding his hand out. Varian shakes it, dark eyes attentive as they shift to me. I have no idea who this man is, but he's terrifying already.

"Hello Marek," Varian greets coolly. My eyes widen. That accent is from the Scarlet Province. When he holds his hand out to me, I try not to stare too uneasily at his strange tattoos, depicting unfamiliar patterns and images. "You must be Akara."

"I am. It's nice to meet you."

"Varian works with Tyrien. He runs his armies," Marek explains. Oh. That makes sense. Hence the scary look about him.

"Come inside, Tyrien is waiting," Varian instructs. Even though it's more of an offer than a demand, there's something deep in his tone that makes me want to obey him. So Marek and I follow him inside, the front door leading into a beautiful foyer with high vaulted ceilings. Everything about his place is perfectly fit for a King.

Marek nudges my side, bringing my attention back to Varian, and the man approaching to stand by his side, who I immediately know is the King. I'm immediately taken by his pretty eyes, like pure silver, framed by a dark line around the iris. Everything else about him is handsome too, but I already knew that. I've heard plenty of gossip about him in the past, even if all of the people I knew that had something to say about him had never actually met him.

"Woah...You're the King," I hear myself say, my cheeks immediately reddening from embarrassment. How many times has he heard that?

He smiles, tilting his head to the side. "And you're Akara. I've heard you've gotten yourself into quite a mess."

💛••💛

For the COMPLETED version of this novel, feel free to head over to Good Novel (app available on App Store and Play Store) where it is finished!!

For more of my work, you can find my novel, HIS SIN on Wattpad, Radish and Good Novel (:

'One day, the Immortal Sin named Cian admitted himself into a mental care facility. Six years before Amolet started working there.

With hope to finally have independence, Amolet took the job without thinking much of it. That is until she meets the self-admitted patient, with unspeakable powers, shrouded in darkness and mystery.'

Thank you all for the support!!

~Midika 💜🐼