Chapter 56: Chapter 56

Raven

Raven’s arm was back to normal after the antidote and a few drinks. The king hadn’t come to see her after the incident, and Captain Oito was busy with Jaji, leaving her with plenty of time to herself.

She used this time to stash the vials of daki venom in the vent, undisturbed. As usual, her outfit for the evening was already chosen. But tonight, it was different. It was elegant and flashy.

Just from the clothes, she could tell there was some kind of party. But what kind of party, she wasn’t sure. She’d never been to a party where people dressed like this.

The dress was form-fitting with a long slit up to her hip, reminiscent of that night in the forest. She didn’t feel like partying tonight, a feeling that surprised even her. Maybe it was the sight of the two moons that made her feel this way.

All Raven wanted was to walk, to feel the grass between her toes and the breeze on her face.

Captain Oito would’ve made her go to the party, but the guards who took his place were kinder, or maybe they just didn’t care as much.

Either way, Raven was grateful. The cold blades of grass felt nice under her feet. Even the royal garden was a sight to behold. She made her way to the king’s secret wine cellar.

The guards didn’t dare follow her in, even when she asked for help reaching her favorite drink. Raven climbed the shelves, and they spun. She let out a squeal and clung tightly to her prized bottle.

Once the shelves stopped spinning, she climbed down. Raven tried to push the shelves to get back to the entrance, but with no luck, she climbed the stairs to a dark doorway.

The door was a bit sticky, but with a little effort, it swung open. Low voices filled the air, and she stayed low to the ground.

Raven quietly closed the hidden door and crawled under a table in the corner just as a couple stumbled in. Their feet danced in a clumsy tango until they bumped into the desk across from her.

Raven couldn’t recognize either of them. The guy’s hair was typical—dark, long, and straight.

His outfit was high-class, and the woman’s outfit was something Raven would expect a harem woman to wear, very different from her own. It was designed to be revealing, to appeal to a wide range of men.

Their hands were busy, and clothes began to hit the floor. He pulled the woman’s legs around his waist, and when their eyes met, she flinched—hard. His body tensed, and he pulled back.

“Is this okay?” he asked.

“I—I’m sorry. Can you wear it?” the woman said.

He paused for a moment and walked over to a wardrobe. The guy searched until he pulled out a red and black mask. He slid it on and went back to the woman. Her body relaxed, and she smiled.

“That’s better,” she said.

Raven’s heart ached. It was rejection in its cruelest form, a feeling she knew all too well.

They resumed their previous position, tangled in each other’s arms, but Raven crawled out from under the table. She came up behind them and untangled the woman’s legs from around his waist.

They both froze for a second, and the guy finally turned to face her. Raven waved her hand high in his line of sight.

“You see that?”

“Yes,” he said, tilting his head.

“What’s the point if you can see her?” Raven said, smiling.

It hurt her to see this woman wanting him to hide his face. It was clear he wanted to be close to her, not just physically, but emotionally, from the way he held her, his kisses, his gentle touches.

“It’s—” he started.

“You again? I thought you said this wouldn’t happen again,” the woman said.

The guy turned to her. “Can we reschedule?”

“You always say that,” she said.

Raven wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Then you should take the hint then.”

The woman shot Raven a death glare and stormed out of the room. Raven let him go and picked up her bottle.

“It’s what? How she wants you?” Raven said, taking a sip from the bottle.

“What’s wrong with that?” he asked.

“You deserve better.”

He let out a loud laugh. “If you say so.”

He started to walk away, and Raven grabbed his wrist.

“Let me see,” she said.

“What?” he asked, pulling away.

“Slow down and take it off,” she said, jumping up.

On her second jump, Raven managed to flick off his mask. It revealed a large, bubbled scar across his face. To her surprise, it was King Soi-Ji. His eyes went wide, and he covered his scar.

“Are you serious?” Raven asked.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked, picking up his mask.

He tried to cover his face, but Raven snatched the mask from his hands.

“No one is here but us. I like it.”

He grabbed the mask back from her. “You’re just saying that. Just go.”

“I swear. There’s nothing wrong with your face or body,” she said.

“No one’s complained about my body,” he said, straightening his shirt.

Raven smiled. “Neither am I.”

“Meaning what?” he asked.

“You shouldn’t have to wear a mask. You’re enough.”

“Meaning what about us?” he said, stepping closer.

Raven’s heart skipped a beat.

“That’s—that’s different,” she said.

“Is it?” he asked.

Her hands went up against his chest. “Yes.”

King Soi-Ji picked her up and placed her on the table. His hands glided over her skin and caressed her thighs. He was seated between her legs, kissing her along her neck.

“This isn’t good,” Raven said. “We shouldn’t. I’ll hurt you.”

“It’s only when you’re drunk. Well, it’s either that, or you’re trying to fight someone.”

She found herself drifting back to the time when the boys had laid down the law about no more drinking. It wasn't a pleasant memory. If she wasn't so deep in the bottle, those recollections would have come rushing back with a fury.

“I’m not scared of what you’re capable of,” he declared.

His pants landed with a thud on the floor.

“Is this alright?” he questioned.