King's Seduction

Four Months Since the Rebel Overthrow.

Irritated, I stare down upon my hands, silently cursing the stain so deeply embedded into the cotton, no amount of scrubbing will remove it. Blowing a stray curl from my face, I let the yellow bar of soap glide from my grip and into the sudsy water.

This client expects his white shirt to be spotless by tomorrow, and the store is only minutes away from closing. I eye the few lone coins at the bottom of my glass tip jar, knowing this is going to be another hard week. All of Tai and I's savings are hidden in a small box at the very back of one of our cupboards. It still feels strange referring to the space as ours, despite the fact that it's been months since we arrived at our little cabin the Azure Province, fleeing from Marek and the rebel presence back in the Jade Province.

We haven't moved. We haven't had any suspicion that they know where we are. . The bell above the door in the storefront suddenly jingles. Drawing my hands from the tub of water, I quickly dry my hands, no longer wincing at the feeling of the rough fabric against my once sensitive fingertips. Now, they are hardened and resistant to even the harshest fabrics and cleaning agents. Working at this little laundry store is all that keeps me sane, aside from Tai. Leaning through the archway, I look out at the door, noting the man brushing snow from his dark locks.

My heart falters. The sweep of his hand pulls bronze strands back from his forehead, tinted with the faintest hint of a Summoner's marking. The breath quickly departs from my lungs as his icy blue eyes focus on me, leaving me scrambling amongst the fright that paralyses me. After a long moment, I blink, realising I'm not staring at Marek. This man is nothing but a stranger. A Summoner, yes, but definitely not the hunter I saw at first glance. Summoners are rare, but I've seen plenty in my time here in the Azure Province.

Almost none have had markings, but this man's is so faint, unlike what I remember Marek's to have been like. Marek has power, and it's evident this man has almost none.

"Excuse me ma'am?" He says uneasily, breaking the heavy silence tainting the room. "Is everything okay?"

The relief is so dizzying I have to brace myself against the archway. Now that I look, this man looks nothing like Marek. He has the basic features, but this man's eyes are darker than I first thought, and his nose is slightly bent out of shape, eyes far too close together. I let out a long, slow breath.

"Sorry, you look like someone I know." With a thudding heart, I approach the counter, resting my palms against the surface. The one light in the middle of the ceiling does little to aid me, the trick of shadows and fear showing me what was never there in the first place.

"I have laundry," he comments awkwardly, motioning to the weaved basket of clothes he has propped on his hip. I nod numbly, patting the counter for him to set it on.

"Great, it will be done by tomorrow," I tell him, giving him a tight lipped smile. He gives me his name and address before leaving. I hadn't realised the thought of Marek had been haunting me so much.

Everyday I think of him, of where he is and what he is doing. I never speak to Tai about it, knowing he feels nothing but anger toward the Hunter. I may share the same resentment, but it's also mingled with fear...I'm afraid of what he may do when he finds me. Watching the stranger leave through the door again, tracking through the snow and into darkness, I silently curse myself for my reaction. What would I have done if that was truly Marek?

"Why so jumpy?" I flinch, whirling around to see my coworker and friend leaning against the back room door frame, dark eyebrow raised. I use the term friend lightly, knowing I don't have the luxury of attaining friends. Soon, Tai and I will have to leave and make the dangerous journey to the Jade Province to find his father. When that will be, we don't know, but it's inevitable. If Marek doesn't get us first.

"Huh?" I breathe tightening my ponytail. "Oh, I just thought he looked like a guy I once knew."

Noa steps into the room, her apron as stained as mine, shoulder-length black hair tied back behind her. She has been the kindness, yet most curious person I have met since being here. My silence on my life bothers her, which is why I have aimed to keep my distance, although it hasn't exactly worked.

"That's the first real hint I've gotten about you," she jokes. I'm used to her jabs, her subtle ways of probing for answers. It's fascinating to her, having a foreigner with Golden Province looks and a Jade Province accent in her small, remote hole town. I would be curious too, especially since she knows nothing more than Tai and I's rehearsed backstory.

"I told you, I'm not that interesting," I say with the shrug, taking one last glance toward the glass door and to the snow backed high outside that the stranger just tracked through before turning around, walking back into the back room.

"No one believes you actually came here from the Jade Province because you're poor," she notes as I brush past her. Noa's the only person who has taken an interest in me since I arrived, since she is the only one bothered by my silence. I hate myself for liking her so much. I'm supposed to be more inconspicuous.

"I told you, my mother kicked me from my home," I tell him hurriedly. It's been getting harder adhering to the same story, but the least she knows about me the less likely it is Marek will track me down. "My husband knows people up here, so I came along."

Here, Tai is known as my husband. Months ago that technically nearly became true.

"Yes, I know. You're just fascinating, you know?" Noa says, staying in the doorway with her bag slung over her shoulders, ready to leave. As per her usual routine, she hangs back to talk to me, despite most of our conversations being empty and void of any meaning. It's the consequence of not being able to talk about myself. I go back to the shirt I was struggling to get the stain out of, deciding it's useless to even try anymore.

"You need a hobby Noa." Contrary to my words, Noa comes to lean over my work counter.

"What's your husband like?" I pause. I'm still not used to referring to Tai as my husband, even if I don't need to within our own home. Tai and I have been getting along well these past months. Only recently has the stress and betrayal reduced enough for us to finally smile and laugh with each other like old friends. We have been getting closer, admittedly, which is a frightening thought, since the last time I was close with another man, he completely betrayed me.

"Nice, I suppose," I say uneasily, not wanting to impart much information about Tai. We haven't been seen together, since we are always working, and when we aren't, Tai is the one who goes into town to collect anything we need.

"He cuts trees for a living." Noa's eyes gleams, the mischievous side of her coming out, which is a consequence of her being bored. I can't blame her, this small town gets boring rather quickly.

"Is he hot?"

"I mean, I married him, didn't I?" I say, forcing a smile onto my face. If only she knew the real reason why Tai and I were supposed to marry...but those people, Akara and Tai don't exist here.

"He's like a King to me." Noa doesn't flinch at that, instead resting her elbows on the counter as I tip the soapy water from my bucket down the sink. I'm not sure how much longer I will be in this Province, or more specifically, this village to entertain Noa's obsession with finding out more about me, but I doubt it will be much longer. If she so much as senses something is off, and Marek shows up to ask questions...It would be detrimental.

"That's so romantic," Noa sighs. "Is he coming with you to the end of year party?"

"Oh, I don't even know if I will," I admit, knowing I often turn away from the idea of out of work events, since that gives people an excuse to start asking questions they don't know they don't want the answers to. Noa shakes her head at me as I begin squeezing out the shirt I was working on.

"What, you have to. Everyone is going." "I know, but I don't drink and parties aren't my thing," I admit uneasily. At least that part isn't a lie. Once I'm done with the shirt, I hang it with pegs before glancing back out into the store front. The man is long gone, although his resemblance with Marek is burned into my mind. I'm going to have nightmares about the Summoner tonight, about our last conversation. There isn't a day where I haven't poured over each word, wondering what his intentions were.

"You don't need to drink," Noa assures me, brushing up against my shoulder with hers as she comes to stand next to me. We both look out toward the outside world, darkness smothering the nearby mountains, the snow falling lazily in fluffy heaps against the exterior of the building.

"Please. If you don't go, people are going to think you're weird." I shrug.

"Maybe I am." Before I can go to walk out back again to grab my belongings, Noa grasps my arm, all amusement having vanished from her expression as she regards me seriously.

"What's really going on with you? Who are you, Cara?" I release a long breath, hating that fake name. I wanted something close enough to my name so I would react when called, but something that wouldn't be as easy to track as my real name. I'm not sure why we bother with any of it, as it seems Marek would have no issue finding us if he decided to look into the Azure Province. It's only a matter of time, and that's why we have to keep moving. It's also a matter of time before we are caught...This life running isn't forever.

"I am someone who really needs to be getting home before dark," I tell her, grabbing my coat off it's hook, shrugging it onto my shoulders. I'm not excited about stepping into the snow, as gentle as it is falling. Noa sighs, also grabbing her belongings.

"Sure."

"I like being your friend, Noa. I mean that," I say softly. She gives me a tight smile, tossing the keys at me to lock up, leaving through he front door.

I watch her go, disappearing into the darkness. I feel bad for all I keep to myself. But the moment Marek finds me, is the moment my life may be over.

The keys rattle in the lock as I press my palm against the heavy wooden door, heaving it open.

Buttery warm light greets me as I step into the cabin, kicking off my boots at the door. The warmth from the fire greets my stiff limbs, fingers numb as I pull them from my woollen gloves, letting them drop into the basket at my feet. The snow never stopped falling my entire half hour walk back up the hill to the cabin. It would be nice to be closer to town, but being so far, tucked in a small woods, means we are less likely to be seen together. As I hang my coat on the hook after dusting a layer of snow from it, I wander around the corner and into the joint kitchen, following the rich smell of meat and vegetables cooking.

Tai's back is to me as I lean against the archway frame. The sleeves of his shirt are pulled up around his elbows as he stirs around a pot with a wooden spoon.

"You're cooking," I muse. Tai has cooked for me often while living here, since I usually don't return home from work until late, yet this is the first time I've walked in to witness it myself. He turns around as I speak, flinching slightly. Both of us live constantly on edge, as if Marek or another rebel may stroll through the door at any moment.

"Trying to. I'm not exactly good at it or anything," he says uneasily, raking a hand back through his hair, although it does nothing but disturb his curls. Glancing down, I notice a wet patch around his stomach where he must have splashed himself with water. I smother my smile, enjoying seeing him so flustered at such a simple task.

"Well that's what happens when you're raised as a King, and everyone does everything for you," I murmur, half-amused as I come to look down at what he has cooked. By the looks of it, he has done well so far.

"You didn't have to do this."

"You work harder than me. It's the least I can do," he says with a shrug. I rest my back against the edge of the counter, drawing in a breath. Although I may work more hours, Tai's job entails more physical work. Over these past couple months, his slender build has shifted, as more muscle frames his arms, leaving me to imagine the beautiful sight that may linger beneath his shirt. He isn't the soft, manicured King anymore. Even his hands are rough, littered with calluses from swinging an axe around all day.

"Speaking of working, I'm being harassed about going to this work party next week," I tell him. I watch his eyes glaze over slightly. Here, in the Azure Province, his eyes have lost their original emerald shine, having turned darker in our dull environment. He turns the element off, rubbing his hands on a wash-cloth.

"You should go."

"It's too much of a risk," I say immediately, shaking my head. Being scared, being frightened to even step outside has become a normal part of Tai and I's life. Anything that can arise suspicion is avoided, even if it means sacrificing everything that keeps us happy.

"They need to think you're normal. Skipping parties and never spending time with any of them outside of work is going to raise suspicion," he reminds me. It's a talk we have had before.

"It already has," I mutter, kicking my feet around on the linoleum floor. This is an old kitchen, but at least everything in here works...Most of the time. I can't count the amount of times Tai has had to learn to fix a broken appliance. "Noa has been asking a lot of questions recently."

Tai crosses his arms over his chest, the intensity of his gaze striking me for a moment. "What do they know?"

"They think I have a husband who works here and who I followed here because my home life wasn't great," I tell him. He knows this already, but I think hearing it makes him feel better. He likes that no one here truly knows him. It's riskier for him, since there is a chance that someone here has seen his face before, as a King.

"I'm sorry you have to lie. I'm sorry about everything," Tai says gently. He has apologised a myriad of times, never accepting it to have been enough. He knows he dragged me into this, but I have no room left to blame anyone. I'm just grateful I'm here with him, and not a murdered victim of Vaia's. We haven't spoken about his powers since he used them on me all those months ago. I silently figure it has to do with the band saving him from the Beast's powers, although I keep that to myself. He's frightened of admitting that to himself. I would be too, had I gone my whole life being a normal human, to suddenly acquiring powers in the most unnatural way imaginable.

"Don't be. Nothing can be taken back now," I say tightly, forcing a smile to tilt at my lips. "If I could take anything back, it would be the fact that I didn't marry you," Tai admits, swinging the wash-cloth over his shoulder. I know he doesn't mean that, that there are many things he wishes he could take back, but him saying that does what he intended, my cheeks flushing, my blood warming. Tai has made comments over the past few months that have made my head spin. Mercifully, he has kept a distance though, knowing the heartbreak I've endured, trying to rid of my feelings for Marek. It's been made easier knowing that what Marek felt for me may not have been real, even if I silently doubt that. All I know is that Tai has been respectful enough to not push me, to not crowd me with how he feels.

"You wanted to?" I question, watching him step from foot to foot.

"Of course I did," he smiles, shaking his head at me as if I'm insane for thinking otherwise. It feels like a lifetime ago...it's easier to not admit that I was starting to have conflicting feelings.

"I wanted to have you as my wife, regardless of what I was offering you, and what I got from you."

"Why?" I can't help but ask.

"Because I like you," he breathes, taking a step closer to me, allowing his scent to wash over me, my heart fluttering nervously. "I've always liked you, and you know that."

"Because you find me pretty," I say flatly. I'm not sure how pretty I feel anymore. My hair is so flat in this climate, the lack of sun seeping all the warmth out of the colour. Now that I work so vigorously, I'm always tired, dark shadows haunting my under-eyes, fingers worked to the bone. Yet everyday, when I return from work, Tai will look over me, a hungry intention in his eyes that I try not to recognize, but can never miss it.

"That attracted me to you, but I can assure you that you have a winning personality," he claims, squeezing my arm tauntingly. I push it away, unable to hold back my laugh. No one has ever told me that I have a winning personality, so hearing it from Tai's mouth makes me giggle.

"Flattered," I note, brushing past him. I don't go far, lingering in the doorway of the kitchen. I have nothing. else to do but eat dinner, speak to Tai and sleep. Despite not doing much in our days, Tai and I never run out of things to talk about. I can safely call him the closest friend I've ever had, even if something more dwells there.

"We aren't getting married."

"I know. But it's fun to dream," he grins. It warms my blood seeing him smile, knowing that I can tease some of the tension from his shoulders that he carries with him back from work. He refuses to share his daily struggles with me, even if I encourage him to. I shake my head at him, unable to believe what is coming out of his mouth.

"Are you so open with your feelings to everyone?"

"It gets me in trouble sometimes," he admits, stepping toward me again. "You've been lied to enough. At least you can know one thing for certain."

I'm not sure what has changed recently, but being close to him has been making me nervous. He always looks at me with either a kindness in his eyes, or a desire, which never got to me, until these past couple weeks. He stops close enough to have my breath hitch in my throat, my back pressed painfully against the archway frame, feeling it's corners taunt me the more I press into them. For a moment, there is just silence. Caught in each other's gazes, I hardly notice his hand reach out to brush a curl from my face, his fingers lingering for a moment. Suddenly, I'm painfully aware of how intimate this is, completely alone in this cabin for miles, no one anywhere near to witness any sinful activities. Just the thought of that has all the blood rushing to my head, a dizzying feeling taking a hold of me.

Tai leans forward, ever so slightly. It's enough for me to become aware of his lips, having kissed me only once before, yet enough to have the moment seared into my mind forever. Only an inch more and he will be kissing me... His fingers tighten ever so slightly on the back of my neck, ready to pull me close enough to press my lips against his. And if I allowed myself to kiss him, where would we end up? Here, I sleep in the bedroom, and Tai sleeps in the living space. If we kissed right now, there is no telling where it could lead... Graphic thoughts spill into my head, imagining Tai doing things to me that I haven't thought of before. Unable to help myself, a gasp slips past my lips. Tai seems to jerk out of the trance he was in, blinking a few times.

"I'm so sorry-" I can't speak for a moment, all the words failing to form. It feels wrong to want a moment with Tai, to steal away the dark feeling of loneliness, to give me something to think about that isn't Marek and his betrayal.

"I should go freshen up," I say quickly, backing up a few steps. He nods, watching me. The trance may have vanished, but I don't miss the way his gaze traces my body before I turn back around. This isn't over yet.

I shiver, knowing the dress beneath my coat isn't made for this weather.

Tai was successful in compelling me into coming to this staff party tonight, noting that we have both been refusing offers to go out for too long now. Noa is already suspicious of me, so I've dressed up and have come down to the main centre of the town.

Here, everything is ancient and magnificent, cathedral-like dramatics rearing up out of the snow, brick architecture shadowing the alley I wander aimlessly down. My feet melt footprints into the snow beneath me, the sharp chill of night air daring me to step inside one of these magnificent buildings, find the comforting grasp of warmth. Instead, I walk along the path of the moon, its dreamy light dousing me in colours of ivory and indigo. It's awfully peaceful out here, as I turn a corner, checking the address I wrote on the back of my hand before slipping between the tall wooden doors.

There are two laundry businesses in this village, all the staff gathering here to talk about anything other than work. The dimly lit room is immediately degrees warmer, sparsely filled, but the music is upbeat enough to have encouraged a few people onto the dance floor. Shrugging my coat off, I hand it to the man who is holding them for everyone. Across the room I see Noa and another co-worker of mine, Tate. They grin and wave at me, Noa's bright smile lighting up her face as she rushes across the room, careful not to spill her drink across her dress. "Wait, you actually came," she exclaims, looking over me.

"And you look beautiful."

"I agree," Tate affirms, smiling gently at me. Our hours only sometimes coincide, so I don't see him often, but I like him. He does unnerve me at times, his dark brunette hair and blue eyes making him looking eerily similar to Marek. I shrug, smoothing my hand over my irritatingly tight dress, knowing the only reason I own it is because Noa once encouraged me to take it home once someone left it for over a month at the laundry.

"I thought I better."

"Where's your husband?" Noa questions, narrowing her eyes on me playfully. She looks beautiful, her dark hair pinned back with a sapphire pin that sparkles under the lighting, her dress in a colour that matches frames her figure, which almost everyone in here envies. There was no way Tai could come here tonight with such a big crowd; this is already enough of a risk with me here.

"He had to work late, and this kind of stuff isn't his scene, exactly," I tell her firmly, hoping she doesn't keep pressing. I don't have the answers she is wanting.

"Oh, mysterious, I can't wait to meet him," Noa says smoothly. I nod, brushing my hair back from my face. I left it down and around my shoulders tonight, showing off how long it has gotten. Tai and I are saving for a way out of here, so paying to get my hair cut isn't an option. And I'm definitely not letting him do it...

"Very mysterious. You're the talk of the town, everyone is wondering what you're hiding," Tate comments. I know his town has an amused lilt to it, but his eyes remain flat, darker than usual. He's suspicious of me, I realise. It's not enough where he would confront me about it, but it's obvious with the pair's jabs that they have been talking about this matter when I'm not there.

"We are private people, is that a problem?" I ask, furrowing my brows. Tate blinks, cheeks reddening slightly.

"Of course not." Noa nudges Tate's side, trying to be inconspicuous, but I don't miss it. She opens her mouth to speak, but freezes. The moment she looks over my shoulder is the moment a hand glides around my waist, warm and large as it tightens its grip intentionally. I gasp at the touch, so purposeful and familiar.

"What am I missing?" The voice asks softly. I flinch, dread as cold as ice smoothing over me as I realise who is standing beside me, whose hand presses against my waist. Glancing up, I look over him, the cruel sense of reality stinging through me, leaving my legs quivering, my head feeling faint. He stares ahead at Noa and Tate glacial blue eyes looking over them, remembering exactly who they are.

"Marek...What are you doing here?" I hiss lowly, my voice shaking as blood pounds in my ears, the music drowned out to the point where all I'm registering is the vibrations from the floor beneath me. It takes everything within me to not pull away, hating the feeling of his touch against me, silently cursing my decision to take off my coat at the door. Through the thin fabric, I feel where each of his fingertips presses down gently. Marek smiles in a way that reaches his eyes, but I know it's just another one of his expertly erected masks.

"Excuse me for interrupting. I'm the husband."

"Oh wow, I had no idea you were coming," Noa gushes, shaking his hand while looking at me with a raised brow. She is likely wondering why my 'husband' is a Summoner with his painfully obvious marking that rains down from his forehead and onto his temples, into his eyebrows and partly down his nose. I had told her he had come from the Jade Province...

"My lovely wife knows this isn't usually my scene, but I thought I better be a good husband," Marek comments, the lie coming to him with ease. I stare him down, wanting to study his every action, not wanting him out of my sight. Whatever sick plan he has, he's taking his time to tease it out. Has he not already ruined my life enough? Noa now believes a Summoner is my husband, which means I can never be seen with Tai again...Not that it will matter if Marek kills me right now.

"You're right, it's not your scene, is it? Maybe we should go," I say firmly, nudging at his side, only to meet hard resistance in the form of muscle and adamant. This isn't going to be as easy as I thought.

"What, no way," Tate exclaims, looping his arm though Noa's. They have no idea how serious this situation is. We are all standing before a man who wants to murder me in cold blood. "Your husband just arrived, we should dance, have fun."

"I would love to dance," Marek murmurs, finally meeting my gaze. I'm struck for a moment, my own mask shredded to expose my vulnerability. I forgot for a moment how much he once affected me. His eyes, so pretty and blue dry my throat out, those bronze strands raining down around his ears, not much effort needed to make them look perfect. He hasn't used his powers since I last saw him either, the many aspects of his mark glittering like the facets of a gem. Caught off guard, I can't fumble with an excuse in time as Marek grabs a hold of my hand, the grip firm enough to suggest that I'm not getting out of this one.

Noa casts me a wink as Marek whisks me onto the dance floor. I curse under my breath as I awkwardly bump into those already dancing, completely taken aback by what is happening right now. And Tai is all the way at home... Marek pulls me toward him and out of the way of other dancers who shoot me heated gazes. Resting the palm of his hand on my lower back, he grips my other hand, pushing me closer enough so that my torso is flush against his, that hauntingly familiar pine and cinnamon scent invading my senses. I could faint right now, all of this too overwhelming.

"What are you doing here?" I growl lowly, trying to keep my expression light and careless, despite how horrified I am to be in this position with him.

"Shh, my beautiful wife," he murmurs lowly, dipping his head to whisper in my ear. His voice makes me shiver as it glides across my skin, his breath wonderfully warm. I audibly gasp as his lips brush against my ear, each movement on his end purposeful and calculated. "We should enjoy this dance."

"I don't even want you to touch me," I tell him firmly, wondering how viable it would be for me to make a scene and storm out of here. It would be embarrassing, but it would be worth it to get away from him. And then what? I'm going to have to face him alone eventually.

"I'm being polite. We are just dancing," Marek reminds me, the amused lilt to his tone making me grit my teeth. His hands may be in safe areas of my body, but that doesn't make me less aware of the knives that likely dwell beneath the surface of his tailored black suit. It hugs him so perfectly I could believe he's unarmed, although I highly doubt it. Looking over Marek's shoulder, I catch Noa's deep blue gaze. I have to force a weak smile onto my face as she mouths 'he's hot!'

"I'm going to kill you," I breathe as Marek pulls me around to the beat of the music, his steps adept and coherent enough for me to keep up with, even if I'm hardly paying attention. I'm more intrigued with how I'm going to kill Marek before he can kill me...Ever since we arrived I carry knives with me everywhere. Tonight is no exception. .

"Don't be so hostile, Cara," Marek scolds, his smile indulging in my mortification. How much of the facade I've created to live here has he already picked apart? How long has he known Tai and I were here? "No one needs to get hurt."

"If I don't kill you, Tai will," I tell him firmly, seeking an excuse to frighten him. It's no use. Marek knows what he is doing -- he wouldn't have approached me like this if he didn't have a purpose for it.

"He's powerless, remember?" Marek breathes, something taunting in his tone, or perhaps I'm reading into this too much. It strikes me that he doesn't know about Tai's healing powers. Does he even know I was stabbed?

"I'm not here to speak to Tai, I'm here to speak to you." I look around, seeing Noa is looking away from us, making this the perfect time to get out of here and deal with this in private...Even if it kills me.

"Maybe we should take this outside," I murmur, nodding toward the door. Marek finally releases me from his tight grip, grinning tauntingly.

"After you."