Inka couldn't understand how a great day could deteriorate so quickly. Kyou's uncharacteristic outburst was startling to say the least. His frustration was more terrifying than his cold fury. It was as if the earth between them had divided, and she couldn't bridge the distance.
"You have been blessed with a strong mate."
Turning around, Inka laid eyes on her old nursemaid. "Nana, was it something I said? I don't understand why he's angry."
"What is your relationship with the Emperor?"
She blushed profusely. "I ─ I don't know. We have feelings for each other, but we've never promised anything beyond this. He's made it clear that an Emperor can't marry someone like me. And he is bound to have concubines one day. It's the way of his world."
"Do you assume he will be unfaithful? Or do you believe that you are unworthy?"
"I'm not a noblewoman, Nana. What right do I have to be his Queen?" She chewed on her lower lip, plagued by unusual doubts. In the tribe, her role and status were absolute — the Chieftain's daughter — but, in the Kyou's world, the same rules didn't apply. "As for faithfulness," her expression grew fierce, "I will never tolerate another woman in my husband's life."
Nana cackled like she had heard the funniest jest in her life. "Silly girl, how do you not see? You're already a Queen — our Chieftess. You've always been proud of our tribe. Are you ashamed now?"
"It's not like that!" Inka protested heatedly. "I love our tribe and I'm proud but, I'm afraid I won't be allowed to stand beside him. Everyone knows how the nobility perceives the native tribes as nothing better than primitive savages."
Nana's gaze softened. "Child, has he ever treated you like one? If he loves you, then their opinions pale in comparison to the Emperor's feelings for you. Why do you worry about fitting in? Change is inevitable in a relationship, but it doesn't mean changing who you are. It means to compromise — to be each other's support." She patted the back of Inka's hand. "I believe the reason he chose you is because you're different and maybe you bring out the best in him like he does for you. Clearly, he's unwilling to let you go because you're important to him, just like how Lupa is important to you."
"But I cannot accept a man who can marry one yet bed another."
"You speak of his concubines?"
She nodded reluctantly.
Throwing her head back, Nana laughed. Inka had a long way to go in life. Her innocence and naiveté must be alluring for a man surrounded by death and deceit. "If you've seen the way he looks at you, there will be no lingering doubts about his feelings for you. But why do I feel as if you are making excuses not to be with him? All your questions have solid answers if you just ask him." Seriousness replaced humour. "I know he took the blame for Kusunagi's betrayal. And he could have wiped us out if he wanted to but, he didn't. His Majesty isn't unreasonable, Inka. Communication is key."
Absorbing Nana's advice, Inka felt a measure of her confidence returning. "You're right, he always listens before making judgements. It's just...I don't want to leave our people behind. I want to rebuild our tribe." Distress bled into her face. "I feel torn by my devotion to the tribe and my feelings for Kyou. I'm afraid that if I choose him, and if he discards me one day...I don't know how I'll ever face everyone again."
Gripping Inka's hand firmly, Nana said, "Only you can decide for yourself. Talk to him, child. If you don't tell him what's bothering you, he will not understand. Misunderstandings are the root of most broken relationships, so always be honest with the one you love."
"Thank you, Nana." Gratitude suffused Inka and she embraced the older woman. With her own mother gone, there was no one else to advice her on love and life. "You are indeed wise."
"My ripe old age isn't just a number." Nana's eyes twinkled mischievously, her laugh lines deepening.
Inka laughed and hugged her tighter, grateful for the morale boost.
She found Kyou staring into the distance, separated from the crowd. His back portrayed a picture of loneliness and her heart twisted painfully. She ambled towards him, loud enough for him to know she was there and slipped her arms around him. Pressing her cheek against his back, she said, "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. This is all new to me and I-I don't always make the right decisions. You know how important my family is to me." A slight tremble in her breath. "Please, don't be mad."
Inka's lungs expanded and held when he didn't respond immediately. After several heartbeats, he sighed and turned to face her, keeping her within the circle of his arms. Unwavering black eyes penetrated her soul. "I'm only going to say this once. You are mine. There's something between us and I'm very attracted to you." His fingers dug into her skin. "I want us to be together and see where this leads to."
She blinked in bewilderment. "Together as mates?"
Kyou faltered, seemingly awed by her choice of word. "Yes, as mates." He quite liked its singularity, giving him a sense of an unbreakable bond. Permanent. Running a hand up her bare arm, long fingers tangled in her hair. "You're hesitating. Why?"
Lashes a shade darker than silver hid her gaze from him. "I'm only treated differently because of who my parents were. For the Ashina, the strongest warrior is often chosen to become our leader, but my title is incomparable to yours. I'm not noble by birth or wealthy and I don't wear fashionable clothes. I wasn't trained to be an Emperor's wife. I only know how to be me." She felt Kyou's arm tightened around her. "I'm afraid I won't fit in and then I'll hate myself and you for it. I don't want to leave my tribe. There is a part of me that wants to stay with them."
Sensing he was about to speak; she silenced his lips with a finger. "I know it's nonsensical to be afraid. I shouldn't want to fit in your world. I should stay the way I am and only if you truly love me, then will I be unafraid to face the challenges thrown into our paths. I don't want to change who you are too."
It was a relief to know he wasn't going crazy alone, that she too had insecurities. They hadn't a clue how to manoeuvre this undefined relationship yet strangely...he wasn't troubled.
"I'm relieved that your diffidence isn't because you dislike me," he started, tilting her chin up to drown in those mesmerising eyes. "It's true that you don't have a single drop of noble blood and you're everything I shouldn't want but," Kyou lifted her palm to his racing heart, "There's no one else who makes feel this way when I look at her. I'm sorry for the words I said before if I made you feel inadequate. You're not. I like you, witch. More than I should. And I want to get to know you better."
Inka's mind went blank as astonishment swept through her. She could hardly stammer out a reply. "You d-do?" She couldn't tear her gaze from the burning sincerity of his. "I-I don't know what to say...how can you be so sure?"
A sardonic quirk of his lips. "I'm sure because no other woman has vexed me more or hesitated to be with me." He cupped her cheek, his voice strong. "I don't care if you're not in love with me or if you're uncertain. All I want is for us to be together and our feelings will eventually grow. You already know more about me than most. Let me take care of you."
She was standing at a crossroads, thoroughly undecided. But she didn't want to take his feelings for granted.
"Before this, did you think I was fooling around?" His soft caress on her nape sent shivers down her spine.
She nodded warily.
"I guess I am to blame." He sighed. "I am quite the catch and I never lack for women."
Inka realized he was being deliberately cheeky – a side of him not many had the privilege to know. "I won't tolerate another woman on the side, Kyou." She jabbed a finger in his chest, levelling a hard stare. "If you ever cheat on me, I will leave and never come back."
Dark eyes twinkled with mirth. "Duly noted, witch."
"I mean it, Kyou. You have the power to break my heart into a million pieces." Inka hated being vulnerable – this was the only time she would do it for him.
"The same goes for you." Entwining their fingers, he lifted it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. "Do you want to be with me?"
Her stomach fluttered. "Y-yes,"
"Yes, what?" He pressed, leaning closer. "Say it loud and clear."
Inka wanted to kick him for being impossible but, she took a deep breath before shouting, "Yes, I want to be with you, you arrogant jerk!"
He barked with laughter before bending over to capture her lips in a hungry kiss. Inka's mouth opened without hesitance and his tongue dove in, tangling with hers passionately. Shoving his fingers into her hair, he slowed down the kiss, moving his lips back and forth in a teasing manner. The delicious friction dragged a moan from her lungs.
Inka's eagerness matched her fiery spirit, meeting the hungry strokes of his tongue. Mouth parting wider, she explored the warm male contours of his hot mouth. Kyou's free hand wandered down her spine and clamped hard. Rising on tip-toe, Inka's hand slid up the chiseled muscles of his broad chest, over his shoulders and circling around his neck to bring them closer. Her body arched, settling into the hard lines of his masculinity.
Suddenly, his arms went around her like iron bands and the kiss turned fierce - hard and urgent. His tongue drove in and out of her mouth, mimicking the actions of lovemaking and it sent shivers of primitive sensations through her quaking body. She clung tighter, feeling his hands shifting, sliding up the sides of her breasts, caressing them...
Inka abruptly pulled back, her hands shooting up to stop him. "Not here! The others —,"
"I don't care," he growled huskily. "You're so exquisite I could eat you all day."
She blushed harder, clearing her throat. "I'm serious, Kyou. Let's go back before your brothers become suspicious."
"Inka wait," Kyou palmed her face. "I didn't forget what you said about giving yourself to your husband. I want you to know that I will wait until you're ready. You're worth it and I've waited all my life to find you, so what are a few more days, months or years?"
Her eyes misted and her lips trembled. "Thank you, Kyou."
Embracing her, he kissed the crown of her head. "I'll do anything for you, witch. I won't take your virginity, but I won't promise to fight fair." His words morphed into a low, silky baritone. "I'll teach you to feel all kinds of pleasure until you're begging for me to stretch you wide open." He pulled back to lock eyes with her, a devilish grin on his face. "And when you do, my little savage, all bets are off."