The Lycan King’s Tribute

Negotiate

All my life, I’ve been a runt, a virgin with no wings to fly. I’ve always wondered what it’s like, giving myself to someone.” - Enoma Pearl

…

By the time I was back at the Sand’s arena, it was almost dawn. King Daxon had ordered a Blue to escort me to my quarters after our conversation.

As we walked, I noticed a clock in the hallway, which read, 1a.m. King Daxon mentioned something about dismissing the party to prepare for tomorrow.

This also meant the party ended long ago. I sighed knowing the girls were probably asleep.

“Goodnight, milady,” said the Blue.

“Thanks, I hope you have a good night’s rest,” I replied to him.

“And you too, milady,” he answered with a slight bow returning to his night duty. I stood on spot, with a calculating thought on why his gesture.

Blues were higher than Sands. There was no way he was supposed to bow to me. The people here had a way of making me uncomfortable.

To think the Games were tomorrow. My heart raced, and I was overwhelmed. This was not helping, at all.

My fingers trembled in bits, as I pondered the fact that I might have created some enemies tonight. Girls are nasty when you have what they want.

How did I explain it was merely a deal? And that he wanted this for his personal gain. What did he gain by this? It dawned on me that the King didn’t tell me anything about his reason.

I knew he wasn’t interested in me one bit. My body wasn’t a work of art but it wasn’t that bad either. My boobs were full from the amount of meat I ate, so were my butts.

But deep down, that could barely be a reason. The King had the females at KOTA at his disposal. It made no sense that he would suddenly take an interest in a Sand.

As I thought of this, I opened the room door, cautiously. I came in, noticing the room was in its current pitch black state.

I don’t want to wake the girls. These are my thoughts when the lights suddenly come on.

“Why are you late?” I sighed, realizing. It was someone flashing a torch in my face. I realize it’s Destiny, she had a curious gaze, narrowing her eyes. It made me question myself. Was she still on my side?

“I got lost,” I said even though it was a lie.

“Thought as much. C’mon, get in bed,” she whispered, waving her hands towards my bed.

I removed my shoes placing them beside the bed, looking under at the same time. Crestwood taught me not to trust anyone, and there was no way I was going to go against that.

After a satisfied glance under the bed and in the sheets, I lay down. Just as I tucked myself in, Destiny began chattering about her day.

“Did you meet your Master, how did it go?” she suddenly asked, with her eyes lit up.

“Yes, I did,” I replied stiffly wondering if she knew. “But I didn’t stay till the end,”

It happened in front of everyone. There was no way she didn’t know about it.

“Terrific, then you definitely missed it. The Lycan King chose someone, a Sand,” Destiny said.

“He did?” I said with wriggling brows. “How did you know of this?”

“I eavesdropped on some girl’s conversation. They said the events were captured by the Greens who will publish for all to see,” she replied.

“Do they have to?” I asked, in thought of my face being everywhere.

“Yes, this has never happened, every century, the King never chooses anyone. He just encourages the participants from afar, so this is huge,” she added, with her fingers swaying in demonstration.

“I know but what if they’re not mates?”

“They might not be, but this gives us a chance at being recognized,” she said. “We need to get rid of our ranks, it’s low and will only make us get trampled on,”

“You’re right, that’s why we have to win level 1 tomorrow,” I said with thoughts on how I’d win it.

“Exactly, the thoughts of staying Sand scares me. Lady Peach made it clear on the disadvantages,” she said.

“You’ll be fine, trust me,” I uttered. Same thing Elena said whenever I complained, “One day, you’ll look back and it’ll all be over,”

“I hope it’s soon, thanks for that,” she said, and I nodded.

“You’re welcome,”

…

I was restless throughout the night. The glimpses of the teleport moment kept replaying. Of me, calling out his name.

None seemed normal and what I needed to know was why? It didn’t add up that I had a memory of him.

Like I earlier thought, was it the effect of his magic which malfunctioned? If it created illusions, why were there more questions?

Nothing made sense, and when I asked his reply was either incomplete, or far from being understandable.

In our last conversations, I asked why he kissed me in front of everyone making this deal exist in the first place.

“And don’t tell me because I could hunt because I’m not buying that. What is your gain in this?” I asked him.

“I can’t tell you that right now, but you have to trust me.” Daxon had replied. There was this heat from his body, which made me lightheaded as he walked back to me.

Magic radiated over him and it made my head fuzzy. His scent hit my nose, a light earthly scent.

“You’re not even answering me, how do I trust you?” I asked, wondering why he won’t say his reason.

“I’m on your side, Enoma, and will do anything to prove it,” he said, making something in me stir. Anything? I should use this opportunity to prove it. I thought, trying to think.

But then, his scent clouded my senses.

This time it was a different scent I got. Chocolate musk, in a bit of earth, and it smelled distinctly amazing. Like the one you couldn’t get enough of.

I don’t smell men, it isn’t my thing. I hadn’t even done it back at Crestwood or on the train with that guard. But I couldn’t help this. I wondered what was coming over me.

“I want to reach someone,” I said those words the moment it crossed my mind. “Can you help me?”

“As long as you play the Games well tomorrow, I can,” he replied.

“The Games are tomorrow,” I muttered.

“Yes, the Games happen after Great introduction to each Master,” King Daxon said.

The Great Introduction.

It seemed everything in KOTA was a game. This awareness made me go blank but I knew I had to go on. No matter what.

“I’ll play the Games well, just keep your side of bargain,”

“I will and I hope this proves that I’m on your side,” King Daxon replied.

“On my side with a cost,” I uttered in reminder.

“It seems you’re getting used to KOTA. This is how things work. Nothing here comes for free. Get used to it, sweetheart,”

Someone coughed and that brought me back to reality.

Why was I even thinking of all these? I had to sleep; it was a big day tomorrow.