~Akara She clasps my forearms, smiling at me through watery eyes. 

The time is now. I have a job to do, and then I'm done. 

I feel foolish for telling him goodnight. 

Managing to have found the smoothest slab of stone in the cave, I lay myself upon it. 

A servant girl leads me to my room for the night. It's beautiful, even if it's small. The architecture of this manor is magnificent, and this room does not undermine that. It's been dressed and furnished with a mix of colours; navy blue and grey, which is unlikely to be the creative choice of the King himself. Other than a bed, a couple bedside tables, and an armoire, the room has little to it. This time last night, I was in a cave with Marek, wondering what my future would hold. Now I'm being invited to dinner with a King. But I'm not excited, as I kick off my shoes, digging my toes into