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Author: Midika
last update Last Updated: 2022-06-04 13:38:16

~Kiva

With gritted teeth, I stare at the raging river before me.

"You can't be serious,” I growl.

"You need to learn this,” Ark insists.

This is my first outdoor training exercise. Ark in all his imposing state stands next to me, ready to thrust me into this raging river with a low chance of survival.

I swear it’s just for his amusement.

"It's freezing out here. Are you trying to kill me?" I motion to the ice underfoot. The water is all ice melt from the mountains, which means I’m more than reluctant to step into this river.

"I gave you a week to heal. You should be perfectly capable of crossing this river."

"I can do it. I just don't need to practice in the cold."

Not that the ground is ever not frozen. Of all places father has to rule, I wish it wasn't over a cold, mountainous area.

"If they come in to hurt you again, this is the path to get to the safe-house. It could be in the dead of night that you need to cross this, after heavy rains. You need to learn before
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  • His Desire    11

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  • His Desire    12

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    ~KivaFrost crunches beneath my shoes as I wander around the gardens with father by my side.At this time of year, it’s a pitiful sight. Everything is frozen over, any sign of life have crawled away to die in the cold.Yet father is starting to grow wary of his own staff, wanting to speak to me outside, where none of them linger."So you were incorrect then, about the intrusion?""That, or they figured out you weren't in the manor, and decided against it.” Father keeps his hands neatly tucked behind his back as we walk, smile ridged.I’m glad he got it wrong, that my mate and his companions didn’t break in after all."Good...good."I stare at my feet, trying to summon the courage to ask the question that has been at the tip of my tongue for a while.“Hey, father?""Yes?""What would happen if I found my mate?" I ask softly. I’ve always wondered, since I was a child, and yet I’ve been too frightened of his answer.Now, evidently, I can’t put it off any longer.He takes a long time to t

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  • His Desire    15

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  • His Desire    16

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  • His Desire    57

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  • His Desire    56

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  • His Desire    55

    ~KivaI roll my head back, groaning.Consciousness has struck me harshly and quickly, dragging me back up to reality. My vision spins, something on the back of my head aching sharply.It slowly dawns on me that I was hit viciously on the back of the head.My vision eventually starts to steady, the messy splotches of colour finally piecing together to reveal my father."Kiva," he says in a calm, steady voice.I blink. I'm in the room where I saved Erin, tied down to the bed. When I lift my hands, they are weighted down by thick iron chains."Why am I tied down," I ask breathily, trying not to let panic overwhelm me."Did you follow me, sweetheart?" father asks, taking a tentative step toward me. Behind him are two guards who stare me down menacingly. "Did Ark have you follow me?"I let out a long breath, trying to process what is happening.My father now knows that I've learnt about what is going on here. I'm tied down in a place where girls before me have been tortured and murdered,

  • His Desire    54

    ~KivaSteadying myself, I head through the front door.Initially I planned to burst in and confront my father, to threaten him. However, once I enter, hearing voices drift down the hall, I decide to slow play this.Pressing my back against the wall, I inch closer to the room, keeping my eye out for anyone who could pass by.This place seems like any other home. Aspects of it have clearly been changed to suit a business, with what looks like a waiting room in the old sitting room and a reception in the foyer.I will investigate the intricacies of the place later. For now, I want to hear what my father is saying.“How do we know they don’t already have something on us?” The unfamiliar voice sounds panicked.“If this were about the business they would have killed my daughter.”I draw in a breath. They are talking about the rebellion. Father would never openly tell me what he thinks, so I listen keenly.“Maybe they were planning to.” The other voice sounds like they are pacing.“She doesn

  • His Desire    53

    ~KivaThe dining room opens up around as I approach where my father sits, enjoying his breakfast.A shaft of sunlight cast through the towering dining room windows gives my father a deceptively ethereal glow.He looks innocent. He couldn't be further from that.His eyes lift as I wander in. "Good morning. Feel better?"I school my expression into a smile, remembering the story. I was kidnapped, and now I am home and terrified the rebellion is going to come for me."I feel...fine," I exclaim stiffly, sliding into my chair.Father's gaze feels heavy as I carefully select my breakfast. A piece of toast I'm going to smother in spread, accompanied by some fruit.It's what I would choose if I weren't hiding something. It's what I would choose if I weren't moments away from throwing up on the polished floor."You have been through a few hard weeks, haven't you dear?"I ignore the bite of pain in my stomach. His sincere tone doesn't help the situation. I must fixate on Ark, his sister and all

  • His Desire    52

    ~KivaMoments later, a figure emerges at the window, clambering through.I tense, watching Ark duck his head under the glass, snow dusting his shoulders and hair. I admire the ease at which he climbed up the trellis considering the amount of times I have fallen from it.He removes his cloth mask, breath clouding in front of me as he meets my gaze.His expression immediately softens. "Hey, are you okay?"I look down at my hands, unable to face him. This is the most horrifying discovery I have ever made and I am still reeling from it."I...no."He's crouched in front of me in an instant, grabbing my hands in his gloved one's. The ice still lingering on the fabric burns at my skin, but I welcome the distraction."What happened?" he asks gently."I found something. Bad," I tell him, fighting past the lump in my throat to say it.I feel so stupid. How many years was this going on and I never knew about it? Ark allowed me to hate him for weeks, trying to protect me from the horror that I wo

  • His Desire    51

    ~KivaI walk through the manor doors, shoulders back, chin tilted up.The guards stare in wonder and confusion, making to say something, but I wave them off. I don't want a fuss."Get my father," I tell one of them.The nod, rushing off toward his office.It's early evening and I'm finally returning home. I spent my entire childhood in this home, and now it just feels vast and empty, void of everything that once pleased me.Ark and I spent the whole day coming up with a plan for tonight. I've come here to find evidence of what Ark has alleged.Not even a minute later my father is rushing down the stairs toward me.Only a day ago I would have rejoiced at seeing my father. I may have felt overcome with emotion, grateful to have been freed from the rebels.Now, I feel nothing but repulsion."Father," I say, trying to sound relieved, although it comes out rushed and a little rehearsed."Kiva...oh my baby, you're home." He ushers me into a hug, holding me close. I let him, fighting the urg

  • His Desire    50

    ~KivaI let them come to me first.Their faces are concealed by shadows, but I don't need to see them anyway. They are just more rebels who would rather kill me than risk allowing me redemption.The tallest one lunges for me first.Anticipating their attack, I slash the shard of glass along their arm in a similar fashion as with a knife. Ark's training rings in the back of my mind, giving me some confidence in my ability to get out of here.The rebel hisses in pain but barely flinches, still advancing on me. They manage to grab my arm in a firm grip, holding the glass away from themselves.Someone kicks me in the lower back, a jolt of pain accompanying me in my fall to the floor.I hadn't even realised someone had come up behind me...The rebel who kicked me climbs on top of me, trying to wrestle my arms behind my back while another readies the rope to wrap around my neck.With my cheek pressed against the cold floor, I try not to let my panic exhaust me.They really are going to do i

  • His Desire    49

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