Word Count: 1724

I wander from the kitchen, apple in hand.

Just as I turn the corner, I see a figure appear right before me, bringing me to a stop. Taking a step back, I look up at Tai, whose chest I nearly ran into.

My heart jumps into my throat, my cheeks immediately reddening. Marek and I returned as early as possible this morning, even through the thunderstorm, which toward midday, has finally started to let up. No one saw us enter, but I still have this heavy feeling of guilt pressing against my chest...Especially after what happened in the barn last night.

"It rained relentlessly last night, didn't it?" Tai notes, his brows dipping. Today he's dressed in his King like attire, a deep red jacket pulled over his shoulders with black adornments and stitching. His rings are back, some gold and some silver.

"Hmm." I shrug, taking a bite of my apple.

"I hope you found somewhere safe to sleep," he breathes, the bite to his tone evident as his gaze assesses me.

My heart plummets to the depths of my chest, as I realise he knew I was out last night. Of course this all had to happen after Tai and I were finally coming to an understanding, when I stopped despising him all that I have in me. This disappointment will be finely paired with my realisation about the Beast.

I nearly drop my apple. "Tai...I can explain."

"No need," he says, surprisingly calm. "I just want to warn you that to a King, trust is very important. If there is anything you need, that you're not getting, you can just ask."

Trying to calm my heartrate, I sigh. "I just needed fresh air. I'm used to living in the forest."

"I want to believe you, Akara," Tai comments flatly, making me wince. Who is going to be punished the most severely? Myself, or Marek? "I just don't know if I should have this Hunter sent away."

Startling, I immediately scramble for a way to defend him. With everything going on right now, I need Marek here. He keeps me sane, makes me want to keep stepping forward each day. Despite what I thought was a growing understanding between Tai and I, he wouldn't be able to keep me company in the way that I need.

"No, you don't need to do that. That is not part of our deal," I remind him.

A muscle in his jaw feathers as he clenches it tightly. "And neither is you sneaking out with him at night either."

"I didn't...It wasn't about him," I say uneasily.

This feels ridiculous, arguing with Tai in the middle of the hallway, almost as if we are already married. I shouldn't have left with Marek that morning, knowing I wasn't going to escape with him. There is too much at stake, and now both of us may be screwed over.

"He wasn't in his room either," Tai says smoothly. "The lies can stop."

"I'm not lying, Tai. My intentions were not to...do anything with him," I tell him honestly. I had not stepped into that barn last night because I wanted to do anything with him. We never went past kissing...But I can't help but feel as though I've betrayed Tai.

"Then what am I meant to think? You escaped last night into the nearest town. Together."

He isn't going to give up until I give him the truth, yet it falters at my lips. What if admitting our intentions ruin everything, including the weak trust Tai and I have? Yet I know I have to be honest, that I have to hope he has a shred of kindness left to spare me.

My gaze falls to my feet. "We were trying to find a way to escape."

"I thought we had a deal..." Tai murmurs softly. He doesn't even sound angry, a steady calm I admire falling across him. I've lost his trust, and he knows that as much as I do. A painful feeling eats at my stomach, that sinking feeling not going anywhere.

"We do. It was for Marek, not me. He wants to desperately to get out of here, to have freedom again," I explain, hoping he believes that I never intended to leave. I won't let how I feel about Marek ruin the chance for my family to get what they need. "I want my father to be back from war and safe again."

"Marek is still serving his time here, working for me in exchange for killing my men," Tai reminds me firmly.

"Okay, that's not my business," I breathe. "I'm trying to tell you that I didn't just sneak away to...be with him."

He looks grim. "I truly hope so."

I don't get a chance to keep speaking to him, as he turns around and walks away, leaving me with cold  feeling in my stomach, wishing I could have taken that entire exchange back.

***

I can't get Tai out of my head as I wander aimlessly through the garden.

Everything is becoming near overwhelming. Making out with Marek in a barn in the middle of a storm, finding out my Tani may not be what I think, and disappointing Tai...It's all too much to handle.

All of a sudden, someone grabs my wrist from behind, making me startle. Whirling around, I see Marek standing there, my heart immediately racing. Looking around, I check to see if anyone is around the garden who may see us together. After my conversation with Tai, Marek and I cannot be see together outside of what his new job title entails.

Now that he is no longer apart of Tai's hunting party, he is dressed like a normal citizen, which is strange to see around the estate. Only guards of private workers dwell here aside from the royals...and myself.

I got to speak, but Marek holds a finger to his lips, silencing me.

We have so much to talk about. On our way home this morning, we only briefly discussed my Tani, but not what happened in the barn.

I don't have time to react, as he takes one stride toward me, swallowing up the space between us until his body is pressed flush against mine. Immediately it's like I've been transported back into the barn from last night, that uncontrollable desire flowing through me as his lips fall to mine, even if we are standing in the middle of a very exposed garden.

The worry and the fear almost seems to melt away as I fist the soft fabric of his dark blue tunic, feeling the hard muscle beneath. He gently cups the back of my head with one hand, my light curls twisting around his fingers while the other hand holds my waist, holding me against him.

Despite having been thrown into a deep moment of sinful desire, I'm aware of who easy it would be for someone to stumble upon us kissing in the centre of the garden.

"Maybe we should...hold on," I breathe as I pull away form the kiss, focusing on the icy cold gaze of Marek.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, brushing a stray piece of hair back behind my ear.

"I don't think this is a good idea," I tell him firmly, taking a shuddering step backward. Thankfully that cinnamon and pine scent of his is consumed by the peonies and roses that grow in this garden, giving me a moment to breathe and clear my head.

"What's wrong?"

"Anyone could have seen that," I remind him, motioning around us at the currently empty garden.

Marek breathes in deeply as his gaze dips, his bronze fringe of hair touching his eyelashes for a moment. He was careful this morning, watching me with an attentive eye while he waited for my reaction. I think both of us are wondering whether last night was a broken moment of passion, or something more.

"You're right. I don't know what I was thinking," he mutters, glancing over his shoulder worriedly. Wiping my mouth with the back of my sleeve, I steady myself. That kiss had my mind spinning for a moment, my body still reeling from the sensation.

"Maybe this isn't a good idea. I'm marrying Tai," I remind him, a sudden breeze having blown in, tainted with the cloying scent of the forest.

Marek pauses, a frown deepening between his brows. "But you don't want him."

"You're right, I don't. I want you," I say, my mouth turning dry. I haven't yet admitted it, so saying it to him now is startling. Even Marek tilts his head, looking mildly surprised. "But I can't allow myself that. It's too dangerous, for both of us."

"The last thing I want is to put you in danger, Akara."

I nod for him to fall into step beside me, walking deeper into the garden toward the green-house. He does so, although keeps a safe amount of space between us. If I want to ensure that Marek doesn't lose his place here, as much as he wants to, and I don't get thrown into prison alongside him, I have to make sure we don't step on Tai's toes anymore.

I eye him carefully, watching for his reaction. "Okay, then let's cool down. No more of this."

He nods, although there is the softest smile there that I assume he didn't mean for me to see. He mustn't believe I'm being serious, or that we are even capable of staying away from each other. Or maybe he likes how we are playing around, our shared moments together forbidden.

"Alright. Things will go back to the way they were," he murmurs, although his tone is unconvincing.

Whatever is between us is definitely not over yet.

💜••💜

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 💜🐼