Word Count: 2281

I walk down the steps, wincing with every step.

My skin feels stiff, pulling tight beneath my billowy clothing, protesting at my movement. It's been like that for weeks since the incident, most of the scarring having since faded, although still leaving behind irritating remnants.

My physical therapy sessions with one of Tai's healers happens now only once a week. Pain medication is no longer necessary, and I can walk, run and swim as I once did.

Yet not everything has returned back to the way it should be.

Tai and his men haven't yet been able to locate who got into my room and poisoned the shower. Despite his reassuring words, Tai has yet to convince me that someone is directly trying to rid of me, regardless of what reason it's for. I quietly suspect rebels, even if Tai won't mention much when I ask him.

As for Marek...he continues his work as my personal guard, yet has not spoken to me much otherwise. I haven't tried to reach out to him, not knowing what I should say.

As I walk down the stairs, animated voices coming from the buildings main entrance catches my attention.

Tai hasn't had guests since I first arrived.

"You could have at least warned me you were coming," I hear close by.

Peering over the railing of the stairs, I look out past the massive ornate statue that serves as an impressive centrepiece and over to the front door where Tai stands with two other unfamiliar figures. I wait at the foot of the stairs, watching on instead of approaching. I've been especially careful after everything that happened.

"Do you not remember what is coming up on the 6th?" one of the figures states, alternating from foot to foot. "We told you it's time to get an assistant."

The one who spoke has a strange accent, like a mix of two or more. From here, I spy slightly too long golden hair that curls down past his ears, his back facing me. Both strangers are men, standing at similar height to Tai.

In his shoulders I see no tension, despite the fact he is wearing his King attire. Today, I admire the crimson coloured jacket that shapes his strong build finely, my gaze traveling down to his dark trousers and shoes. I wonder what his plans were for today, those silver rings glinting under the morning sun that streams generously through the glass dome roof.

"It's not exactly a good time. I've been very busy," Tai notes with a dip of his head. Even from here I can see the bend in his curls, shaped kindly today by whoever tends to his immaculate appearance.

"Isn't that always the excuse?" the blond man states, reaching out to cup the King's shoulder, shaking him lightly. "It's time for your annual ball."

I blink. I haven't heard about that.

These two must be Tai's friends. He doesn't seemed stressed at their presence, although maybe irked. Even from here I notice the tilt to his lips, the way his eyes glitter warmly. How have I not heard of whoever these men are?

Tai gestures around himself hopelessly. "Can we cancel it this year?"

"No way," the blond man replies. "With your new fiancée...it's time to show her off."

Tai visibly flinches at the mention of me, a frown passing over his graceful features. The news of our union has already passed through the Jade Province, yet it is still strange to hear. We haven't called it off, since it seems that being here will be safer than if I return home. The idea still sounds tempting, though.

"That's really not the best idea..." Tai murmurs lowly to the point I almost don't catch it. Perhaps he regrets making this so public, since now I am being targeted.

"Of course it is-"

The blond is cut off by the other man who stands next to him. "The rebels need to see you have a united front. A wife will prove to them that your place on the throne is secure, which will be detrimental to the success of the new laws you will put in place."

New laws?

Sighing through my nose, I decide it's time to make myself known. As I wander closer to the three, my footsteps pattering lightly on the marble flooring, I examine the other man who spoke. He has a far softer tone, more purposeful than the other. His hair is a mousy brown, pulled back by a incessant hand. He wears a jacket similar to the other, although his is a shade of grey while the blond's is black.

"I know you're right," Tai mutters, likely remembering the purpose of our union in the first place. "As long as I don't have to plan it."

Glancing over suddenly, Tai seems to notice my approach, clearing his throat. The blond turns around, facing at me with a wide, charismatic smile plastered across his relatively handsome face, light brown eyes almost too large for his face.

"Is that the lady herself?" he says by way of introduction.

"Akara," Tai announces uncomfortably, motioning to each of his friends in turn. "Come meet my friends. This is Arnix and Zavian."

Zavian, the darker haired friend nods before casting a blue-eyed gaze to his feet. I can't decide where he is from, the lines of his face unrecognisable. Perhaps Emerald Province origin, with no markings or discerning features.

I force a smile upon myself. "Nice to meet you."

"Golden Province, right? Me too, originally, but I grew up here," Arnix grins, nudging me in what is a friendly gesture, but makes me inwardly wince. In places my skin is still tender. "I didn't know Tai outsourced his lovers."

I don't hide my surprise, risking a glance at the flushed King.

"She's Jade Province born, from a nearby village," Tai corrects, tilting his head as he shoots a rather distasteful glare at his boisterous friend. I'm not sure how Tai decided Arnix would be an ideal friend for him, considering his rather stiff, formal nature. Although perhaps that's the personality of a King's, and his is much warmer.

"Lucky you, huh?" Arnix's eyes glitter as they sweep brazenly over me, all mischievous and hubristic. Something tells me he's used to being admired with his classically attractive looks and outgoing personality. "What was it, sweeping floors to being in the King's bed, or maybe tending to his-"

"Enough. You're my friend, I expect you to respect Akara, my fiancée," Tai cuts in curtly.

It's a stern warning that ripples through me. It took that for me to realise Arnix doesn't respect me, likely coming from a world far from mine. It seems more plausible as days pass that Tai is the only forgiving man in this royal world.

"You have a lot to explain later," Arnix comments, pointing his finger playfully at Tai, exchanging a wink for a pass off for stepping out of line. "But for now, shall we get settled?"

Zavian nods mutely. However, before either of them can walk away, deliberate steps approaching pull  all of our attention toward Vaia who saunters over proudly, casting her gaze upon to two newcomers. I could almost respect her and the way she rolls her eyes in Arnix's direction.

"Arnix, Zavian?" she claims sweetly, that saccharine smile purposefully spelling out her dislike for them. "My darling friends."

I smother a smile. For once Vaia is a fresh sight.

As usual, she looks stunning, even if only an absent thought went into her outfit. With the relentless heat inescapable recently, Vaia has opted for a scarlet sundress, her sleek brunette strands pulled upward into a ponytail which sways back and forth as she looks over us all. I imagine she is not impressed with any of our presence, yet boredom has dragged her from her quarters.

At least she hasn't set her sights on Marek this time.

"And here I was thinking I would be able to get through the summer without seeing the princess. Aren't we lucky?" Arnix drones sarcastically.

"Could you make it more obvious you're heartbroken?" Vaia mutters dismissively, the glean of her painted nails reflecting in the dappled light. "Truly pathetic, Arnix."

"I thought our fling last summer was exactly that. A fling," he comments sourly.

"No arguing, please," Tai sighs. "Vaia, I don't get to see my friends very often."

It's painfully evident to us all that Tai isn't reprimanding her for interrupting him, but because he doesn't want to witness the impending argument. Vaia relents, stepping back. I eye the way Arnix's gaze travels slowly, deliberately along the supple curves of Vaia's body, making my stomach turn uncomfortably. He's must have been a willing victim of her boredom.

She pouts. "Now I'm done with Arnix, is it not my turn with Zavian?"

Zavian looks away, pure blue gaze finding the foliage outside far more interesting than Vaia's proposal. I can't tell if he's mortified or disgusted, or perhaps both.

Arnix grins. "I somehow doubt Zavian wants you."

"Ouch. Fine, I will be in the sunroom, if anyone would like to join me," Vaia murmurs coyly, turning around without bothering to see if anyone follows her.

Arnix goes to follow, but Tai steps in front of him, placing his hand on his chest.

"You know where your rooms are," he says. I glance away, sensing a warning. "Don't touch Akara."

"Woah, as if I would dare." I look back just in time to catch Arnix's wink before he turns away, walking after Vaia. Zavian releases a long sigh, nodding at both Tai and I in turn before walking away after his golden haired friend.

Tai only has to look at me sympathetically as the disappear behind the statue.

"Those are your friends?" I question.

"Painful, I know," Tai mutters, looking over me. I haven't seen him much recently, since he has been dealing the rebels who we all believe were behind the attack. Frustratingly, he hasn't told me anything that is going on behind closed doors. "But they have been in my life for as long as I can remember."

"What were those laws you were talking about?" I ask softly, raising a brow. I've had enough of being in the dark about everything. These two men who breezed in here seem to know more about me and they just arrived.

"Nothing that is set in stone yet," is all he says. "I wouldn't worry yourself too much."

Yet I do worry, and I do wonder. But it's none of my business, and honestly, I don't want to delve into the politics of his reign as King any further. What the attack on me taught me is that the closer I am to the centre of this world, the more danger I am in.

"Tai...I've been meaning to ask you something. Feel free to say no," I bring up, deciding it's time.

He nods, stepping away so we can talk more intimately. "Well, you have to tell me for me to decide what I want to do."

"I want you to help me kill my Tani."

Tai, once looking out the window, takes a long, slow blink before narrowing his gaze on me. It took me a few weeks to decide that this is what I want to do, without anyone influencing me. If the Beast truly is killing young children, I want to help Marek take him down. I already know the hunter will agree.

"Sorry?

"The Beast. It kills people, and Marek and I want it dead before it can hurt anyone else," I admit, looking over my shoulder to ensure no one can hear me speak. If anyone were to overhear, this they could make is publicly known before we get a chance to achieve it.

"I thought you felt strongly about your Tani," Tai murmurs softly, looking torn between wanting to believe that this is truly want I want and wanting to convince me that it's a bad idea.

"I do. But now I know what is best for my people, and it's not to keep blindly believing this creature is capable of doing good," I explain. "And I thought you could help."

He surely knows what I mean. I'm extending an olive branch, knowing he wouldn't allow me to go with Marek unless he came along. Whether he is capable of killing doesn't matter, since it would be at Marek's hand. Being that I'm still convinced that the Summoner who originally attacked me was behind the shower poison as well, I'm perfectly okay with Marek losing his powers. Even if he hasn't shared with me their true extent.

"If that's truly what you want, then I suppose I will join you," Tai says after a long pause.

I smile, even if my stomach turns uneasily. I just need to focus on how grateful I am that Tai trusts me, that he would do this for me just because I asked. If I focus on anything else, dark thoughts will creep in.

"Thank you Tai. I think I really need to do this."

🤍••🤍

If you guys want to read ahead, you can read more of KING'S POSSESSION on Radish! It's chapters ahead of Wattpad (:

🐰••🐰

I'm officially rewriting Alpha Jasper's story now on Radish! It will be following the same storyline with the same characters, but with revised scenes and some new ones!

I love Jasper's story so much that I wanted to go back and rewrite it. I hope you guys will enjoy it, you can find it now on Radish (:

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~Midika 💜🐼