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2024-10-29 19:42:56I've never witnessed a more terrifying sight.
There is no doubting this is the Beast, standing tall and large at the mouth of the cave, staring at us with striking green eyes, the emerald shade almost exactly the same as the necklace I once wore around my neck, having only tugged it off yesterday morning before we left.
It's almost impossible to believe that looking at this creature, it was once human. It stands far taller than all of us, broad shouldered with thick arms that lead down to clenched fists, thick, yellowy claws. There are no clothes on it's muscled, yet bent figure, instead the creature being covered in a coarse layer of brown fur, so damp it's flattened against its skin.
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The King’s Possession 45
The panic is unbearable.Crawling on my hands and knees, my body is so numb I hardly notice the painful jabs of sharp rocks against my limbs, my clothing dampening as I fall against Tai's body. His limbs are weighted as I shake him, grabbing a hold of his face with both my hands to try catch a glimpse of the life he had only moments ago.The clatter of Marek's weapons close by make me flinch, as he approaches, grabbing at Tai with the same intensity as I do. The King's usually immaculate skin is marred with dirt and grime, a sight that doesn't belong to him."No...No, you idiot," Marek curses frantically.
The King’s Possession 46
Rain lashes violently outside, wind carrying it sideways, accompanied by a bitter chill.Marek and I sit out on the front porch of my family home, the moment strangely nostalgic, reminding me of when him and I would sit in Tai's outdoor area. We managed to escape my fathers incessant questioning on Marek and where he came from, while mother dwells in her room, avoiding us both at all costs.She isn't taking this well, having a King near dead in her home...and having a daughter who betrayed her under her roof.I still haven't slept, the morning having shifted into afternoon, bringing with it a brutal storm. Thankfully I was able to shower, still flinching each
The King’s Possession 47
I only slept for a few hours, waking just as dusk bled into night.I know why I couldn't sleep. Being wrapped up in blankets that smell like my old life, seeing books on Tani and the Beast pressed tightly into my sagging bookshelf and knowing my mother is in the next room, pretending I'm not here...it's maddening.Tugging my hair back into a braid behind my shoulders, I examine myself in my old mirror, the frame still chipping off white paint how I remember, stickers from childhood having peeled back, stained by the sun. I haven't changed, aside from slightly fuller cheeks from the decadent food at court and minor scratches and bruises that litter my skin from yesterdays ordeal.
The King’s Possession 48
I stare out the kitchen window, watching Marek and the stranger outside.Marek has pulled the man's hood back, tearing the cloth from around his mouth, revealing his identity. From here I can't see the man's face, but I know I wouldn't know him anyway. The man sits on the steps of the porch, head bowed weakly as he holds a palm over the wound in his neck. Marek stands before him, twisting the rope intended for me in his hand.Marek's presence alone has rendered the man passive. I can't hear what they are discussing, but at the beginning, it seemed awfully heated. Now it's calmed down, Marek's expression solemn as he listens intently to what the stranger has to say.
The King’s Possession 49
Tai spent the next week being closely monitored by healers, leaving me to my own vices.Most of the week I spent writing, trying to make sense of my tumultuous thoughts, finding a place for it all within my brain. When I finally felt like I had compartmentalised it all, I was exhausted, both emotionally and physically. At least I've healed, only what appears to be small scars the last reminder of what happened that night in the cave.Today I've forced myself outside. The morning has been glorious, the dewy grass glistening under the sunlight as I wander aimlessly through the gardens. However dark clouds chased me back inside, yet another storm threatening to roll in.
The King’s Possession 50
I'm going to go home.Hours have passed since I spoke to Marek, since I saw what he was doing under Tai's demands. I've been pacing back in forth in my room since, wondering if I should bother packing the clothing Tai's people have brought from nearby villages. I don't want a reminder of this place once I leave...Even if I don't know where to go yet.I haven't changed, my clothing and hair still wet when I decide want my plan moving forward is.I need to get away, but quickly. If I tell Tai I'm leaving, he will surely allow it, although will attempt to convince me out of it. So I'm going to steal his band, the one that can transport a human from place to place
The King’s Possession 51
I woke to all the feelings of frustration and anger having vanished, leaving a hollow feeling in my stomach. Another morning of waking up to my own cruel reality, and yet another day of trying to recover from it, trying to move on.As usual, the day dragged on, Tai gone off like he usually is, dealing with both the rebel presence, and the cruel reality of the war, which has been bothering the King more recently. He hasn't shared much with me about the war, other than that it's been a financial and emotional drain, knowing that he is sending men to die.My father never spoke much about the horrors of the war either, leaving much up to my imagination. All I know is that it's a battle between independent rebel groups within the Jade Province and the Scarlet Pr
The King’s Possession 52
"I can't believe you convinced me into this."The golden glow of the lamp light above guides Tai and I down the street, the moonlight bathing the cobblestones of the street with a pale sheen. The darkness of the night is a stark contrast to this morning, when Tai approached me and asked me if I would come to dinner with him. I didn't expect us to go so far out from the estate."I promise it will be worth it Akara," Tai murmurs. I glance at him, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets, his emerald eyes watching me with gentle intention. He's dressed nicely, simply. There is no evidence in his attire that he is a King, although it's so obvious in his face. He has a regal nature about him, the tilt of his lips, the sweep of his cheekbones...You could see one
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The King’s Possession Epilogue
Eight days later. I stare out the window, but see nothing but my own face staring back at me. The nights here in the Azure Province are long and cold, snow falling ever since we arrived a few days ago. We decided this would be the best place to flee to, hidden in the back of a freight train that Tai smuggled us onto. We almost didn't survive the cold, but we had both agreed this Province would be the last place Marek would look. It's too obvious. The door opens from behind me, the heavy wood creaking on it's metal joints. Glancin
The King’s Possession 56
My hands brush against the wall, letting it guide me down the hallway as the darkness blinds me.I'm not sure where I'm going, but it's far from the commotion downstairs. The screaming has ceased, but there are a lot of people moving, like the rebel group are rounding people up and moving them about. How many are there? Tai should be okay down there, but what if he isn't? He needs to stay for his people, but part of me wishes I had encouraged him to come with me.Suddenly, the lights in the hallway flicker on. Flinching, I cover my eyes until they adjust to the sudden assault of light, and once they finally do, I realise that Vaia is standing in the hallway with me.
The King’s Possession 55
Tai sits on the edge of his bed, a frown etched into his features.Only five minutes earlier, we were downstairs, Tai have to have addressed the guests who he has offered rooms to here. He claimed that Marek has been obsessed with me for months, and that he has been taken into the prisons to be held. None of that is true, of course. In fact, Tai's guards have been unable to find Marek."You don't have to stay in my room tonight, even if our guests will want to gossip seeing you wander around the halls," Tai says softly, finally releasing his frown, breathing in deeply. The guests already have a lot to gossip about tonight after the incident with Marek.After a
The King’s Possession 54
Tai pulls the curtain back, glancing through before closing it again.Beyond, people chatter, seated as they await the beginning of the ceremony. The nerves in my stomach accompany the sound of their unbothered voices, knowing that I'm going to have to step out there soon and exchange vows with Tai, and then kiss him in front of all those people."Don't be nervous," he murmurs, turning back to look at me. Mercifully, Tai has ordered the seamstresses to keep my dress as minimal as possible. The fabric and beading is still decadent and soft, the veil I've pulled behind me is beautifully sheer, hanging off a small crown glittering with silver jewels. This wedding isn't about the show, but about the substance, about what a union will mean for his kingdom.
The King’s Possession 53
The next few weeks past by so quickly, I hardly have time to grasp everything.Tomorrow, Tai and I will be married in front of a strategically chosen guest list. From then on, we will be closely monitoring the rebel presence, and the strength of the local villages support. If all goes well, I may not have to stay here much longer, but that is all hypothetical. Right now, nothing is known for certain.Jessa and I lie in bed together, night nearing on early morning. Sleeping isn't a realistic possibility right now, my mind busy trying to process everything that has been going on. Tomorrow will be a defining moment for all of us."Are you nervous?" Jessa asks sof
The King’s Possession 52
"I can't believe you convinced me into this."The golden glow of the lamp light above guides Tai and I down the street, the moonlight bathing the cobblestones of the street with a pale sheen. The darkness of the night is a stark contrast to this morning, when Tai approached me and asked me if I would come to dinner with him. I didn't expect us to go so far out from the estate."I promise it will be worth it Akara," Tai murmurs. I glance at him, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets, his emerald eyes watching me with gentle intention. He's dressed nicely, simply. There is no evidence in his attire that he is a King, although it's so obvious in his face. He has a regal nature about him, the tilt of his lips, the sweep of his cheekbones...You could see one
The King’s Possession 51
I woke to all the feelings of frustration and anger having vanished, leaving a hollow feeling in my stomach. Another morning of waking up to my own cruel reality, and yet another day of trying to recover from it, trying to move on.As usual, the day dragged on, Tai gone off like he usually is, dealing with both the rebel presence, and the cruel reality of the war, which has been bothering the King more recently. He hasn't shared much with me about the war, other than that it's been a financial and emotional drain, knowing that he is sending men to die.My father never spoke much about the horrors of the war either, leaving much up to my imagination. All I know is that it's a battle between independent rebel groups within the Jade Province and the Scarlet Pr
The King’s Possession 50
I'm going to go home.Hours have passed since I spoke to Marek, since I saw what he was doing under Tai's demands. I've been pacing back in forth in my room since, wondering if I should bother packing the clothing Tai's people have brought from nearby villages. I don't want a reminder of this place once I leave...Even if I don't know where to go yet.I haven't changed, my clothing and hair still wet when I decide want my plan moving forward is.I need to get away, but quickly. If I tell Tai I'm leaving, he will surely allow it, although will attempt to convince me out of it. So I'm going to steal his band, the one that can transport a human from place to place
The King’s Possession 49
Tai spent the next week being closely monitored by healers, leaving me to my own vices.Most of the week I spent writing, trying to make sense of my tumultuous thoughts, finding a place for it all within my brain. When I finally felt like I had compartmentalised it all, I was exhausted, both emotionally and physically. At least I've healed, only what appears to be small scars the last reminder of what happened that night in the cave.Today I've forced myself outside. The morning has been glorious, the dewy grass glistening under the sunlight as I wander aimlessly through the gardens. However dark clouds chased me back inside, yet another storm threatening to roll in.
