Chapter 18: EIGHTEEN

Word Count: 2883

We all take our seats at the dining table, me right beside Tai.

Unnervingly, Nakoa won't take her eyes off me. Black as obsidian, they pass over me brazenly, drinking me in with malice. Unspoken magic dwells under each of these Noble women's fingers, begging to be released upon an unsuspecting victim like myself.

"What's with the toy?" Evolet asks, drawing everyone's attention. She watches me curiously, fingers twisting at silver rings carved with stunning patterns, worth more than my entire existence. She dares my face to redden, for my lips to part and assault her. Instead, a cool, icy mask remains painted securely on my features.

One mistake, and I'm their dinner.

"She's just someone I took pity on," Tai replies dismissively. His words bite more than I thought, gliding their way beneath my skin, even if he is acting like the bored, stoic King he needs to be. If for a moment, they believe I committed a crime and was acquitted on his behalf, they will deem him unworthy for the throne.

I hate this world. The nobility, the power. It streams off of these people, and not due to their expensive attire and stunning looks.

"Cute. Where's Vaia?" Evolet questions, bored of me already. Nesrin and Nakoa don't follow suit, too intrigued by me to even look away. I refuse to so much as shiver under the glacial chill of their stares, which strip me bare, a dangerous, unspoken threat.

Tai doesn't even look at me. "We don't need to make drama tonight. Why not just enjoy each others company?"

"I enjoyed your sisters company," Evolet pouts, resting her hands on the table. I eye her nails, painted a glossy red, sharpened to smooth points. "She's great in bed."

Tai shifts uncomfortably, not interested in speaking about Vaia to her lover.

"This is inappropriate. Aren't you girls here to tell me to do something?" Tai questions, shifting the attention across the group. At the same moment, a scattering of servers wander into the room, laying dinner across the table. We all remain quiet as they do so, and while my gaze remains fixed on their movements, I can't ignore the burning heat of Nakoa's gaze on me. I can't be that interesting.

"No, just here to make sure you're doing your job right," Nesrin remarks, unflinching as a sever leans over her, pouring a beige liquid into a tall glass flute.

Nakoa clears her throat, finally looking away from me. "Clearly you're walking in your fathers steps by having a mistress."

It suddenly dawns on me, what all their roles are.

Nakoa is the silent observer, digging intrusively under any façade to determine the motive of whoever happens to fall into her focal point. Evolet is the distraction, exerting her confidence dramatically into the conversation to draw all attention to her, allowing the other two Noble's to do what they must. And Nesrin is the strict voice of the three, the real embodiment of all Tai's fathers orders, ensuring Tai does what she requires of him.

I could be wrong, misjudging the three, yet something tells me I'm rather close to figuring them all out.

"She's just a bit of fun. Nothing more," Tai mutters, shadowing me in dismissal for my own benefit. Evolet's gaze sweeps across my person one more time before she moves on. I wish I could relax, but Nakoa still won't relent in her endless staring.

Evolet drags her fork around her plate, playing with her food. "Entertain us, Taius. We're bored."

I've decided I don't like Evolet. Her blatant distaste for Noble affairs suggests that she didn't take this position for the politics. Her beautifully curled raven hair is topped with a silver head adornment that winks and glitters with luxurious malice, likely funded from her involvement with Tai's father.

"I suppose it's your lucky night. I do have fresh meat for you, Evolet," Tai remarks. With a flippant gesture at a man standing behind him, he allows a frightfully devious expression to shadow his face. "Go retrieve the Hunter."

It takes all my self control to not flinch. Marek. He's going to bring Marek in here for Evolet to have her way with him. I could protest, cry out my distain for this idea, yet I can't. Keeping my lips tightly pressed together, I watch the man oblige Tai's demands as he leaves the room.

He can't bring Marek in here...Why would he do that?

"Another person for you to order around?" Nakoa comments distastefully, as if the whole concept of royalty disturbs her. She's one of them, so I'm not sure why she is so bothered by what they find fun.

"I needed a head of hunting. You know how infested these woods get," Tai comments lazily.

My gaze is trained on my fingers which are knotted together under the table, even though I'm imagining myself glaring viciously at the King. If I weren't so scared of the repercussions, I would stand and shout at each and every one of them. Naturally, that would land me in prison with no possible escape.

Evolet tucks a mess of hair behind her ear, revealing the strangest layered effect of crystal piercings. "Hunting? Bored already..."

Yes. Lose interest.

Suddenly the man Tai called upon walks back through the door, bringing with him a very bored looking Marek. It's a bold, foolish move to have him unrestrained in room full of Noble women, who I clearly doubt his power can contest their own.

Evolet's reaction is visceral. She straightens in her seat, teeth sinking into her brightly coloured lower lip as she brazenly drinks in the sight of Marek, who tucks his hands behind his back politely. He's not a risk to them. If he were to act out, it would be the end of him, and the glowering frustration in his eyes displays that openly.

"You'll keep Evolet entertained, won't you, Hunter?" Tai questions tauntingly. Marek's gaze drags with painful slowness toward the King, who he takes in his with a poisonous glare. Marek hates him, which I can't blame him for.

I'm simply grateful for his mercy, as he doesn't acknowledge me with a single glance once. Protecting me.

"Taius, you're so kind, fetching me a strong, sexy Summoner like this," Evolet approves, kohl thick eyelashes fluttering shamelessly. "What's your name?"

Marek doesn't say a word, a picture of stoic indignation at the sight of the Noble's. He must have been informed earlier of their arrival, as he walked in here with a storm already roiling beneath his skin. I can't help my attention focus upon the silvery blue glint of the marking dusted across his forehead, his temples, wondering if he is weighing up the option of using whatever power he hides on these women.

"It's Marek," Tai sighs when he doesn't speak. "He's irritatingly silent, but I think I prefer him that way."

"Well Marek, show us a trick. Tai bores me," Evolet challenges, tilting her head so her hair falls from her neck. Perhaps she believes showing more of her skin will seduce Marek, and maybe it will, even if he doesn't show it. I ignore the way that thought makes my stomach twist anxiously.

Again, Marek doesn't move. From here, I can see under his dark jacket how tense his muscles are, his hands clenching and unclenching.

"Listen to the lady, Hunter," Tai demands.

"What would you like me to do?" Marek asks sourly, his voice reaching a dark and sinister tone. Evolet doesn't seem bothered by his attitude, that sickening smile full of devious intent. Marek is smart, yet he still hasn't figured out how these Noble's work. They are not used to being denied what they desire, so you must give them what they want, until they spare you.

"Come here," she purrs. "Kneel."

A glacial coldness settles over the room, my stomach turning over. I can't decide what Evolet's intentions are with Marek. Either it's to seduce him, or to torture him in front of everyone. They don't know him and I are familiar with each other, but they will when I can't watch and run from the room. Fear of breaking the façade won't keep me safe then.

Wordlessly, Marek steps forward, falling first on one knee, and then the next. My heart beats insistently within me yet my expression remains passive, unbothered. Nakoa's gaze still flickers between Marek and I, so I must appear as though I'm not impressed by the trivial matters of Tai's company.

"What are you playing at, Evolet?" Nesrin questions tiredly, as disgusted by the way the beautiful Noble leans forward toward Marek, like he's a toy she can play with. She's not the only one.

"I want him to kiss me."

A muscle in Marek's jaw feathers, his mask slipping for a brief moment as he allows confusion to flicker within his eyes. What does she get out of doing this? Does she know a man like Marek would never been foolish enough to give her attention in any other situation?

Marek rears up resting his hands on either sides of her seat, less than an inch from her clenched thighs. I bink, as he leans right up to her face, waiting for their lips to meet. Evolet seems just as stunned as me that he is obliging her, however her desire is evident from here. Violet eyes burn, sweeping down to gaze at his lips, and her face leaning imperceptibly closer.

"I wouldn't even touch you," he practically growls. Shock reverberates around the room, even if Evolet barely flinches. Marek braces himself for a reaction; either an explosion of power, or even a petty slap.

But nothing comes.

"You should know better than to reject a beautiful women," Evolet murmurs, the dulcet tones in her voice making me shudder. I'll admit my satisfaction at watching Marek brazeningly reject this beautiful Noble, even if I know the consequences will be pure poison.

"Evolet. This isn't fun," Nakoa comments, becoming anxious herself. Evolet taps her fingernails rhythmically on the table, the sound resonating with an eerie chill throughout the room. Tai is being awfully quiet about this, likely anticipating how livid I'm going to be when I get out of this room. I may not owe Marek anything, but this is the last thing I want to witness.

"I think it is," Evolet replies, breaking her devastating perfection with disguised venom. "Now I want to see some killer instincts of yours, Hunter."

My breath catches dangerously in my throat.

"That's what he's here for," Tai mutters, his voice cutting through my panic. I allow myself to look at him, his calm, simmering eyes and slight smile. Is he enjoying this, watching Marek suffer? My gaze dips back to Evolet, who's mouth twists as she considers a suitable enough game to continue this already tumultuous night.

"Perfect. Go kill Tai's little mistress."

All eyes fall upon me, including Marek's. My blood turns cold beneath my skin, alarm hollowing out my stomach. Tai stills beside me, but I'm far more invested in Marek's stare. It burns straight through me, dissolving my panic as a frown dips his brows. He wouldn't kill me.

"Too far, Evolet," Tai scolds, the guttural tone of his voice making me shiver. He wouldn't let Evolet kill me either, would he?

Or am I trusting the wrong people?

"You'll find another one," she waves dismissively, focusing her predatory gaze upon me, daring me to protest. "Didn't think she meant anything to you."

"She doesn't, but that doesn't mean I want her blood on my nice carpet," Tai replies impassively, although I hear the tension, the reluctance. When, if ever he breaks this act, I will voice my disgust to Evolet. Right now, I quite like my head remaining upon my shoulders.

Evolet sighs. "Everything is replaceable. Come on Hunter, entertain us."

Marek's first step forward has my body going rigid. His eyes are trained on mine, blue hues fading deeper into shades of darkness, revealing nothing about his intentions. He could kill me right now, gain favour with the Noble's and be on his way, no remorse to be felt for the King's mistress. That thought alone has fear flooding my veins, intoxicating my better judgment as I debate running from the room for my life. Would he chase me down just to kill me?

I catch Nesrin surveying us each in turn with curious turquoise eyes. "I'd like to see it."

"Since when did you ladies enjoy killing in cold blood?" Tai asks quietly. It would take him one serious command to put this to an end, yet he remains bowed to these ladies power, afraid of what disobeying them may mean for him. Perhaps I should not blame him for that, considering I'm guilty of the same.

Evolet's eyes gleam deviously. "We aren't the ones doing the killing. Now hurry it along, Hunter."

With a clenched jaw, Marek rounds the table toward me, not releasing me from the shackles of his gaze. Reaching out, he grabs a steak knife from beside Nakoa's plate, twisting it around his fingers before gripping it tightly against his palm.

I can't sit here and let him slit my throat in front of everyone. Scrambling to my feet, my chair flies backward, my legs tangling around it. Marek comes to my side of the table, tracing my backward steps until I'm pinned against the wall, my pleading gaze begging Tai to intervene, to stop Marek, yet he does nothing but stare with shocked horror.

"Don't do this, Marek," I whimper, eyeing the exit which is blocked by Evolet, who grins with feline malice, enjoying the show.

As his body comes to stand inches from mine, the sheer size and stature of him enough to have me pinned helplessly to the wall without him having to restrain me, Marek shakes his head ever so slightly to the point I almost don't catch it.

And the he mouths the words, trust me.

Trust him? He has a knife in his hands and has cornered me against a wall, and is asking me to trust him? I'm almost so distraught with fear and so unbelievably bewildered with that statement that I want laugh.

Then in one fluid, precise movement, he whirls around and throws the knife in Evolet's direction. In the moment after I blink, I'm staring at the knife wedged into the wall, only millimetres from Evolet's head.

Marek. tilts his head."My bad."

Evolet is on her feet in a flurry of black fabric and glistening silver jewellery, overcome with a feral rage that distorts her features wildly. I'm stunned, blood still pounding viciously throughout my body as I anticipate a vicious reaction from this infuriated Noble. I hardly have time to commend Marek for his confidence, my mind consumed with the reality of the situation.

He didn't kill me. I'm alive.

"How dare you!" she snaps, whirling around to a King, who's face has turned ghostly. "Taius, have him sentenced immediately."

Tai gets to his feet, all faux confidence and grandeur. "Guards. Take him to the prisons. Deal with him whatever means necessary."

Men who I hadn't known were outside barge in, going straight for Marek, who remains rather insouciant considering his situation, not protesting to his arrest. My stomach churns painfully as he is pulled aggressively from the room, his face blank. Shuddering, I administer a severe amount of indignation into my glare which targets Evolet from the other side of the table.

"You could have made it a little less obvious that you were sharing a bed with him," Evolet mutters, tracing the edge of a sharpened nail with the tip of her finger, not even bothering to look at me.

A frown dips into my eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

"The Hunter. The moment Tai called for him, I sensed your fear. It's rather pathetic really," she continues, before sweeping her attention to the King. "Please tell me you knew your mistress was lusting after another man."

This is fun to her, tormenting us. I did nothing but stumble into her presence, and now I'm left distraught and unhinged, unsure of what to do with myself after nearly becoming a victim to her deadly game.

Tai shifts uncomfortably beside me, while I speak for him, my lasting adrenaline giving me the confidence I lacked from before. "So you tried to get him to kill me?"

Evolet laughs bitterly, a cold, empty sound. "It was fairly obvious he wasn't going to kill you, stupid girl. I was just bored, and you put on an excellent show for us all."

Bored.

If they have a problem with me walking from the room, they don't voice it.

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

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I'm officially rewriting Alpha Jasper's story now on Radiah! 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 💜🐼