AKARI- Breakfast
1339 Words
“Make sure breakfast is done before our guests awaken,” I ordered the plump housekeeper who had been my only companion, along with the other two, for the past three weeks.
As usual, her eyes didn’t meet mine and her frame trembled as she stood in front of me, yet she nodded and murmured her affirmation.
I didn’t know her name.
I didn’t bother to find out considering I tried to claw my way out through them when I was first brought here.
I shook my head, tucking a stray blond lock of hair behind my ear as I walked out of the grand kitchen. Irritated by how shiny it was.
The living area wasn’t any better but watching the maids work brought me a certain sense of peace…it reminds me I am still in power.
Wolfless but not without pride.
My jaw clenched as my mind focused on the hollow feeling in my chest. Before she was a burning spark, my beast, she was magnificent!
I shook my head for the nth time as I settled on the golden sofa, waiting patiently for my new guards to rouse from their slumber.
Surely, after last night’s revelations, they must’ve tried to leave the premises.
They would have met a nice, large wall of disappointment.
My lips curled up in amusement at the thought of their shocked and angry faces.
I waited for almost an hour, the head maid had already informed me of the piping hot breakfast being set on the table.
As the minutes ticked by, I slowly grew tense, wondering if they’d managed to leave the sprawling estate after their first attempt.
Just as anxiety gnawed at my already hollow heart, I heard footsteps.
The first person to come into my line of sight was Oak.
Strong, just as his name implied. His long white hair was pulled back in a rather messy roll and his eyes looked bloodshot yet, the man was every inch the sensual creature he was yesterday.
Sharp azure eyes met mine and I am ashamed to admit, I lost myself for a moment in them. He was dressed more casually, not even a weapon in his grasp as he made his way to me.
“Miss Quinn,” he bowed politely, meeting my eyes with an emotion I couldn’t identify.
I righted my silk dress, unsure of why I was feeling so self-conscious under his gaze.
“Please, call me Akari,” I purred and stood, making my way to him with a sultry gaze.
There was no shift in his expression.
“No,” he announced coldly, shocking me. Then he blinked and cleared his throat, “You are a noblewoman, Miss Quinn,” he added with pursed lips.
Stubborn.
My smile got wider.
“So are you,” I retorted with a narrowed gaze. “Your nobility might even be much cleaner than mine,” I raised a brow.
“I have not been a nobleman in a long time,” he replied cryptically, my curiosity grew and my feet halted.
Just as my lips parted to state, Elias and Flynn descended the stairs.
Flynn's boisterous laughter was what drew my attention, Elias looked like he was irritated but yet he kept up with the loud man next to him.
Are they good friends?
“Akari!” Flynn waved, his eyes turning into crescents the second our eyes met and the curve of those perfect lips was enough to have me hold my breath.
“Flynn,” I breathed, forced a smile, and turned my gaze to Elias who then walked past me like I was invisible. It all happened in a split second, yet that time was enough for me to inhale the spicy scent of him.
“Ignore him,” Flynn said, holding my hand in his and pressing his soft, perfect lips on the back of my palms. When those emerald green eyes lifted, I let out a shaky breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Dangerous. I thought to myself as I took a step back.
“Oh. I don’t mind,” I shrugged a shoulder, managing to regain my composure on time.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Did you?” Flynn countered, his hand letting go of mine in a rather reluctant manner.
There was a certain drop to his voice, one laced with obvious desire that made me realize I had to keep my distance.
He is the only one who isn’t wary of me, he is the one I should be most worried about.
I kept on my smile and nodded.
“It was cold…lonely but peaceful,”
“If company is what you seek—”
“—Flynn,” Oak called out in an exasperated tone. It made the man chuckle. Then he shrugged.
“Breakfast has been ready for quite some time,” I informed them, “Would you care to join me at the table?”
Elias was behind me. He didn’t go any further than a few steps but I guess he just didn’t want to see my face.
“Will there be vodka?” He asked in his gravely, enthralling voice.
Damn these men!
I turned around to face him, the light caught in his red hair made it a shade lighter…less like the color of blood.
Stubble covered his sharp jaw and his thick brows were pulled together in a frown.
“If you want,” I smiled at him, my cheeks already hurting for trying to keep up the friendly host act.
He snorted.
He f*****g—
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm myself even as my smile faltered.
“Come on, let’s go,” I said and then led them through the kitchen to the dining room.
They followed silently, each man with their own thoughts.
I wanted to ask them if they tried to leave, but I held in the questions.
The table was covered with delicacies from both my home and the empire, just as it was every single morning.
I wondered why the empire fed me this much.
Fattening up the cattle for slaughter, I guess. I don’t blame them…oh wait, yes I do.
Flynn pulled out the head chair for me before I could, flashing me that killed smile as he took the seat next to me.
Oak took the seat opposite him.
And considering it was a table that could seat at least ten people around it, Elias did the favor of taking the farthest seat away from everyone.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes and scoff.
Does he think anyone wants to sit near him?
Why does it irk me this much?
“This is far from what I had expected when you said breakfast,” Flynn said, not wasting any time as he filled up his plate.
“Truly,” Oak voiced, “People in the city had said you’d been confined to a dilapidated cabin and all you eat are scraps,”
“Some said you were in a brothel,” Elias added gruffly, seeming almost hesitant to join in.
I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up in my chest as I heard them speak.
Are those the rumors they spread? Just to strike fear in the hearts of others?
Wow. The empire really wants people to fear them even more.
They all turned to look at me as I laughed. Their striking gazes made my laughter get caught in my throat.
“Well,” I cleared my throat and shrugged, “People will always talk,” I simply said.
“Hm...” Oak nodded stiffly.
I’ve only been gone for three weeks and there are already rumors about my current state.
They still fear my influence.
This also means I might still have some people on my side, people who will aid my revenge.
But first…I will focus on these men, working my way through their defenses, and get out of here.
The empire will fall.
- Writer
