Jo and I had left the Arcane King's castle. She piggybacked on me as she continued sleeping peacefully, drooling over my shoulder all the while.
The sun was setting. I watched the shadows of the buildings and trees in the Kingdom elongate as it proceeded to hide behind the mountains, slowly but surely becoming night in a few short hours.
The whole time, I had been distracted, thinking still of Daz's parting words before we left his office…
***
**Moments earlier**
I stood up from my chair and began heading to Jo, who was sleeping soundly just outside the double doors. The frozen halls sent a breeze that was chilling to the bone even from the distance I was in this enormous room.
Daz let me take a few steps before he stood up himself and reminded me of what he had just said, "So is that a yes or no?"
I stopped in my tracks, back facing him. I didn't know what to say. This meeting was a roller coaster… from what seemed like a normal mission report, to the Arcane King wanting to kill me, and then now him wanting me to join his select group of mages for the Valley… The answer for most would be a resounding yes. When the Arcane King extends a personal hand and asks you to be a part of his elite group, who in their right mind would say otherwise?
"Gonna have to decline. But thanks for the offer." I said, without a second thought.
Daz whipped up a smile and then a joyous laugh shortly after, "You truly are Annie's captain. She declined my offer at first as well. The apple doesn't fall too far—" he trailed off. I already knew the worn out saying, and quite frankly, I wanted to detach from the conversation as soon as possible.
"It's not that I don't want to," I went on to say, "I just don't think I deserve it… yet."
Intrigued by my answer, Daz tilted his head and asked, "Oh? And why do you say that?"
I turned my head slightly to face him, back still turned fully, my direction still to the double doors where Jo was, "Because, instead of asking you all those selfish questions, what I should have asked you first was where Jo was. If I can't protect my team, I don't even deserve my role as their Captain—let alone an 'acting' one."
"You know, and I'm sure you already know this, but Annie is quite strong—even when she is asleep."
"I know. But even the strong find solace in greater strength. It's why up till now, I still consider Asura as my Captain. Even if I am his stand-in for the time being. In my mind, he is always the Captain of the Black Wolves. Once I can be like that to my crew, then I'll consider your offer."
Daz smirked and said, "A leader is recognized by those around him. Personally, I think you're already there… but I get why you feel that way. Types like you like to earn their keep. So, that's an acceptable answer… for now, ignore the handout."
"Didn't want one in the first place." I turned back around and waved a hand, thinking our meeting was finally over.
I threw my hands in my pockets and proceeded to exit the room. There was a good ten seconds of silence as I headed for the doors that seemed miles away. And as I arrived to the exit, Daz said one last thing, "And in that case, since you didn't accept my offer, I will need you to attend the Valley Tournament."
I stopped once more, and before I could answer—
"What? You going to say no to that, too? Ryo told me as such. Now I understand why."
Damn, Ryo, getting the Arcane King involved in this, too.
"I thought Guild captains weren't involved in the Valley Tournament?"
"I thought you didn't consider yourself the Captain of the Black Wolves?" he countered smoothly.
"Besides, you've yet to sign the proper documentation to legally be the captain of your Guild, and judging by your responses, I doubt you ever will." He went on; he was right. "So, join the Valley Tournament, and by simply attending—you don't have to win the whole thing—I will appoint you as an official Captain in Kingdom record… You can of course still keep your 'Acting Captain' title if it sits better with your morals, but to the Kingdom you will be officialized without question."
I thought of what he said for a second, even if I already knew what I wanted to say to him, "And if I decline?"
He smiled. I didn't have to turn around to see it; I could just tell by the next words that came out of his mouth: "Then the Black Wolves will be abolished."
I whipped my head around and caught his gray eyes from where I was, "You've got to be fucking joking—"
"A Guild Captain must be present at least four months in a year to keep a Guild in good standing. If they are not, it is up to the subordinates, regardless of rank, to assume position in their place. Otherwise, the Guild is abolished. No ifs, ands, or buts. It is policy."
I didn't argue. I knew of this from the very beginning. Ryo had just been trying to ease me into it without saying outright like that. But this was the Arcane King; he was not obligated to care how I feel. What he says goes. And I did not have the right to question his authority… he knew exactly how to deal with someone as stubborn as I.
"So, what say you, Greed of the Black Wolves? Will you be attending this year's Valley Tournament—not for yourself, but for your Guild?"
"You play dirty, Idiot King,"
He laughed and then proceeded to wait for my answer with his hands out, along with a mere shrug.
"Fine. But afterward, I'm still keeping my Acting Captain title as you have said."
"Fine by me. Looking forward to seeing you in the colosseum in a month!"
I strode off., finally heading over to retrieve Jo and leave this place.
***
**Present**
I continued to admire the sunset as Jo and I reached the East Gate. Before we left, I stopped by a store to grab her a gift, a promise I had made to her before we set out to see Daz.
In a bag that I somehow managed to make her hold—even while sleeping—she had her new oversized stuffed toy in her hands. A purple monster with angry eyes and a wild smile on its face… whatever its name was… she liked it. I often saw stickers of it on her personal items. Even her watermarked emoticon resembled it when she messaged through the comm. It was the least I could do, seeing as she would no longer get to cuddle herself to sleep in my bed; Belle had permanently claimed my room.
By the time we had arrived near the East Gate, Ophelia was patiently waiting for us there. I had called her earlier to meet us so that she could just whisp us away back to the Den once we passed the barrier. Her friendly smile and cheerful attitude met us as we drew near.
"Well, how was meeting the Arcane King, Greedy? Was he everything you expected?" she asked. Her ignorant bliss was contagious.
"More or less…" I replied. She studied my expression as she walked next to me, arms behind her back and leaning forward slightly.
"You look exhausted. I'd offer a massage tonight, but you have Belle for that, hehe." She teased.
I snickered at her, and once we got past the gate, she touched my shoulder, and we went through the ground, gone from sight.
***
Once we were back at the Den, the crew had dinner, and I decided to call it a day early. The sun had finally set as I entered my quarters. Belle was in my shower as I entered.
As I took my jacket off and threw it on the couch, I lay flat on the edge of my king-sized bed and stared at the ceiling. My thoughts were endless. Racing. Thinking about everything I learned today: the seal that was once on my tongue, the myth of the Keeper, the Sins, my past, Tantra…
To be honest, I sort of knew what it was based on a feeling. It was a power I had somehow accessed after months of struggling, after waking up in this world in this form. And when I had met Asura and that man, he also used a similar power. The only difference was that I couldn't see his, but mine was fully visible—hence the black coating that appears over my skin.
I had never questioned it. But had I at the time… I'd assume the power he used was indeed Tantra.
When I thought about it, I realized I had hardly asked Daz what that even was. He did explain it a little, but I didn't ask him more about it. And then he proceeded to use another form of Tantra—one I had no idea existed until today. Capitulation. 'King's Tantra'.
Goodbye, were the days of calling it 'Copper magic'… though I suppose the only one that bought that lie was Rex.
I had to learn more about it. What it was. How it existed. And why mine was so different in comparison.
It was at this time, I began having thoughts of that day flood back into my head; my battle with Syemore. Severed limbs, heads, and blood rain all in frozen stasis while we fought heartlessly over the Kingdom. And that form I took as the black coating swallowed me whole and burned like it was alive. Like it was trying to become something else.
It was then, Belle had come out of the shower, drying her platinum white hair with a towel. "Something the matter, my Greed?" she asked as her deep blue eyes found me lying flat on the bed.
I sat up to view her, elbows propped. She was completely exposed, using the towel only to dry her hair, leaving her perfect body to air-dry for all of me to see.
"Not anymore," I said coquettishly. My eyes caressed her soft, rosy tint.
She smiled in a way that could have banished my pants right there and then, but she replied, "Well, that's fair… but what was?"—she hesitated after asking. She didn't want to pry if I wasn't willing to share—"sorry, never mind. You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to."
A caring princess. Every day, I was reminded of why I loved her so much.
"It's alright, babe, I can tell you."—I sat up as I thought of how to put my words together. I decided to start with a question—"Do you know what Tantra is?"
Belle turned off the lights in my master bath and sashayed over to me in all her nude glory. When she made it to me, I placed my hands on her waist and started kissing her stomach and under her breasts. She then knelt and began untying my boot laces as I had forgotten to take them off—to distracted by my thoughts and her presence.
She replied, "I do. What about it?"
I laid my hands behind me and sat slack as she took off my boots, raising my head as I did, thinking again… "I think it's what I use…"
She met me with a soft smile, "Well, no shit."
I looked back at her again with a raised brow, "Are you saying you knew?"
"I've always known."
She took off my other boot, then ran her delicate hands down my thighs. Her nails were petal pink, glinting softly as they ran across my legs.
"How?" I asked gently, letting the mood also guide us away from the topic.
"My eyes were always on you, ever since the beginning." A sweet answer. One that took me away completely as I relished in the vagueness of her words.
She unzipped my pants and dragged them down, my boxers following suit. I raised her and threw her onto the bed, stripping what was left of my clothing, and she watched.
She invited me. One leg over the other, opening slowly, a hand over and behind her head, and the other with two fingers to her mouth. Looking so innocent as her ocean-sky eyes drew me in, allowing me to take control of her for as long as I wanted.
She pointed her foot and her honeyed sole pressed on my chest as she said, licking her lips, "Fuck you."
"As you wish."
That night was spent at the Den. There were no complaints about her stay.
***
**Next day**
I woke up on time. It was 0630 on the dot. Training with the guys had commenced as usual. The girls had picked up their morning workout routine in the home gym with Belle joining them this time, and by 0900, it was breakfast. Northeast Strip Steak and Country Fried Steak were on the menu. I helped out Code with the preparations.
After breakfast had been consumed, we each went off to do our own thing. The Arabella maids had recovered from their injuries the other day, so they resumed their duties around the Den. Ophelia and Star went shopping again, Havoc, Brand, and Code went on a mission near the Forest, Nash met up with a group of his social media followers for an event in the Kingdom, Jo decided to go back to bed, and Alice and Belle headed back to the Desert so that she could see Toto.
When all was said and done, the only ones left in the Den were Jo, Yuna, and the maids. And the one with no agenda was myself.
However, I had done this purposely. There was actually one thing I wanted to do today. Something I had been meaning to do since the whole incident with the Blue Phoenix Knights ended. I felt as though I had been neglecting it, keeping myself busy to avoid even thinking about it. And now was the time to face it at last.
I admired the fixed wall of the entrance hall before I left. At least that Idiot King had kept his word—regardless of the fact that it wasn't him who personally fixed it. I had no idea why I was so hellbent over having him specifically do it. It was as if I had known beforehand this was the type of annoying relationship I'd have with him, and it was my way of getting back at him… The reason was childish. And I was petty—I always told myself as I pictured his stupid face testing me in my head.
Jokes aside, I grabbed my jacket and put it on as I opened the door.
It was time for me to see the mother of that girl.