Akila fidgeted uncomfortably, her eyes unable to meet her mother's disapproving stare. "It's hard to explain...but, not everything is black and white. He's not a good man. I am aware that he has killed and that he will never feel remorse. He's like an animal but, there are moments when I think he just needs someone to show him affection. You've taught me to always be kind to others, to be compassionate and never to judge. How can you assume that I will forsake Zagan just because of what he is? You taught us that even sinners deserve a chance for redemption and forgiveness."
Tenderness softened the Empress's eyes as she remembered why Akila was different from her siblings. Her youngest daughter held every being with respect and believed that everyone should experience kindness and love. It wasn't how she taught Akila to be but, rather she had nurtured her daughter's natural inclination and instinct that made her special. Her love was great and vast like the ocean. "Child, I remember what I've taught you, but don't mistaken compassion for love with this demon. He might be manipulating your feelings because you are young. Demons cannot love because it's not in their nature. They were created to destroy lives."
Akila's heart grappled with hesitance, her mind recalling the few tender moments she had shared with Zagan. "Frankly, I am uncertain of what I feel. Is it affection or is it because I don't want to see anyone get hurt for the sake of power..."
"There is much for you to learn, and I only regret that I cannot be there for you." Lilja squeezed her daughter's shoulder. "But you can rely on Castelis, my old friend. There is naught that he will not have done for me, and I know that his grace and kindness will be extended to you — my flesh and blood." Dire urgency reflected in her mother's tone. "There's one more important detail you should know. Every Sentient requires an anchor to guide them through life. Because the power within you can be overwhelming, this person will help to balance it out. It is imperative that you find someone you can trust with your life."
"Is that what Castelis was to you?"
The fondness returned. "Yes, he was the only one who protected me until the end."
"Mama...I hate to ask you this but, Castelis told me that father married you only because of who you were. Is that true?"
A fleeting sadness overshadowed her mother's face. "Yes, it was in the beginning. But over time, your father and I truly did fall in love."
"I've recently learnt that father was neither loved nor respected by most. I saw how terrible the regions' conditions were and how our people were neglected. Even Garrin confided the same truth." Her fists and voice shook with anguish. "I refuse to believe that he let our people suffer while his daughters enjoyed lavished balls and tea parties, wearing expensive clothes and jewelries when we — no, I —could have done something! It hurts me to learn from others that my father wasn't the hero I thought him to be."
Lilja cupped her daughter's cheek, lifting her gaze. "There is no true great ruler, Akila. There is only the best and the worst...and I'm afraid your father was all too human. He allowed his greed to control him and now you, my poor child, bear the consequence." Her mother's gaze reflected great sorrow and regret.
"Then why didn't you stop him?" Akila demanded, frustrated. "How did you fall in love?"
"When I was younger, I was shunned for being a Sentient. I was always alone, playing by myself because everybody was afraid of my power. Eventually, I befriended Castelis, until one day, your father arrived at our village and announced that he wanted to take me as his wife. I was shocked, but also anxious that a powerful man like him wanted me. Your father was good-looking, rich, and charming but I knew those weren't reasons to love someone. It was a winter's afternoon when we found an injured fox cub buried under the snow. Your father, always so serious, surprised me when he insisted that we save the animal. In the following months, he diligently nursed it back to health and soon the cub was healed and set free, yet it didn't want to leave. Eventually, your father granted it freedom to roam as it wished. I asked him why he didn't just keep it as a pet, and he answered that a fine creature should never be caged. A fox should be wild like nature intended. It was then that I knew I could fall for him because he wasn't truly evil." Lilja chuckled huskily. "Castelis warned me that the Emperor was only trying to butter me up and of course, I trusted him. It wasn't until both men engaged in a fight that nearly cost them their lives, that I knew I had to choose between their love."
"Wait a minute!" Akila interrupted shortly, her palms thrown out. "Are you telling me that Castelis was — is — in love with you?"
Her mother's eyes were mild but, there was a woebegone smile that spoke of memories that were her treasure trove. "Yes. It broke my heart to choose between them but, I knew that I loved your father regardless. None of us were perfect, Akila." She clasped her daughter's hands. "Sometimes, what the heart wants is inconceivable and like a slave, we can only obey. Your father wasn't a good Emperor and I regret that I never had any true power to change that but, he was a good husband and father. Don't ever forget that."
Akila could relate to her mother's experience, at least in terms of caring for a man who wasn't good — a contradiction of what she had been brought up to be. "He was a loving father, no doubt," she conceded readily. "But Mama, you haven't told me what it means to be a Sentient. Why did father desire your powers?"
"Every Sentient has a special ability and apart from my uncanny clairvoyance I never came into greater power. Rumour has it that when the time comes, the Sentient in you will know what to do. A Sentient's purpose is to protect the weak and innocent. For an Emperor to possess a Sentient, it is a symbol of infinite power that could destroy the world or save it. It could easily be used as a weapon, or a balm."
"That's a heavy cross for anyone to bear, let alone myself." Akila shuddered, rubbing her forehead only to realise that her hands were turning translucent. "What's this? What's happening to me?"
"It seems that time is up," Lilja uttered regretfully. "Your spirit needs to return your mortal body and I have done my part here." She grasped Akila's hands tightly. "Remember what I said. Find your anchor. It is important to find one to support you when the time comes — if it comes."
"Wait! I'm not done talking to you!" Akila cried in alarm, her body fading from her legs up. "I don't want to leave you!" Tears pricked her eyeballs.
"You'll be alright, my love." Lilja offered a gentle smile. "Find a good anchor and make good friends who will help you to live a great life and remember to trust only Castelis."
"Mama!" Akila shouted as her soul was thrust back into the shell of her body. Jolting up from the life stone, Akila wept in denial, her loud awakening bringing the two males hastily into the room.
"Akila, you're awake!" Zagan exclaimed with great relief, confusion taking over when she continued weeping. Her sadness was palpable, and it seemed to reach into the depths of his soul, like fingers squeezing his heart.
Halting at the doorway, Castelis wore a look of despair that contradicted the Demon King's. He swallowed hard; the words were a lump in his throat. "You met her, didn't you?" He was relieved that his voice didn't tremble pathetically.
Surprising both males, Akila bounded across the room and threw her arms around Castelis, her face buried in his silk robes. "She told me everything — who you are and what you've done. I know what my mother meant to you."
Zagan couldn't begin to describe the whirlpool of emotions churning in his gut at the sight of his woman in another man's arms — voluntarily. Her tears sent a frisson of frustration coursing through him but, anger reared its ugly head that she didn't seek comfort from him.
What did you expect? His beast taunted. You haven't given her reason to trust you.
Recovering quickly, Castelis returned the embrace, his voice calm. "I see. So now you know the truth of who you are?"
Zagan's frown deepened. Were they talking about her Sentient blood?
"Yes," she sniffled, tilting her head back as she wiped away the tears. "Was our meeting a coincidence?"
"I wish I could say that it isn't," Castelis answered carefully. "But unfortunately, we would have met sooner or later. If it makes you feel any better, I did plan to invite you to Bocelus but your injury hastened your trip here. We had to save your life, and" — he casted a pointed stare at the scowling demon — "your lover there has been very worried about you."
Akila flushed over the word 'lover'. Unhurried, she made her way to Zagan, their eyes locked as she tentatively took his hand. "Are you unhurt? Did I make it on time?"
Zagan's jaw muscles clenched. It was unbelievable how she still worried over him when she had been the one lying in a pool of her own blood. He couldn't fathom why she would risk her life for his. The dark look on his face would have frightened anyone but, Akila was certain he would never hurt her.
Reading the unspoken tension between the two, Castelis murmured, "I'll take my leave for now." He quietly slipped out of the room.
When Zagan was certain that the Dryad was out of earshot, he roughly hauled Akila in by the base of her neck and slammed his mouth over hers – hard. She gasped over the unyielding pressure and commanding claim of his tongue, understanding his dominance was his way of knowing she was alive and unharmed. After defending this demon to her mother, Akila understood her words were the resonating truth from her heart. She was no longer hurt or angry at Zagan, not after knowing that he had saved her as she chose to save him. Akila was ready to confront his true nature and to teach him love whether he wanted to or not.