"What nonsense are you spouting?" Fanak asked also angry.
"Your wife was speaking nonsense so I thought I'd join her so she wouldn't look like the only crazy person here."
"Are you out of your mind?" Fanak asked rising from his seat.
"Are you threatened by a woman, Fanak?" Akira asked back earning a glare from the man.
"My king, look at this...." Turuk begun but stopped when Thaggar raised his hand to ask him to shut up.
"If Fanak truly fears a woman, then he doesn't deserve to be in my council." Thaggar said looking at the man who was visibly trembling.
"I don't fear any woman." He defended himself,"They are merely bed warmers."
"And when was the last time your bed was warmed?" Akira asked looking down at Daki.
She was certain Daki had not given herself to Fanak in a long time to make him serious about pushing Thaggar to make Savvy his queen. Fanak's jaw dropped while the other council members looked at him with ridicule.
"I have merely been on my monthly cycle." Daki stated simply as she glared at Akira,"Fanak is like my god."
"A hungry god at that. He didn't even find your food good enough for his palate." Akira said and hushed chuckles were heard from the other men.
Thaggar's grin kept growing with every word that left Akira's mouth. He felt proud of her and how she seemed to grow right under his nose. He found his mind veering to how aggressive she would be in bed after this argument was over and he subconsciously let out a suggestive rumble from deep with as though it was a mating call. All eyes turned to him and only then did he realize everyone had heard him. He pretended to clear his throat and took a gulp of wine.
"Continue." He said with the remnants of his self respect.
His eyes fell on Akira who rolled her eyes at him, unamused at his lack of seriousness. Thaggar felt the urge to apologize but he swallowed his words. If he wasn't careful the conversation would shift to him being incompetent.
"I can't remember what I was saying." Akira stated simply clasping her hands together in front of her.
Fanak sat down, still fuming with humiliation. Everyone was quiet and Thaggar waited for someone to say something but no one spoke.
"No need for the long faces, this was a friendly meal, was it not?" Thaggar said trying to lighten up the mood and Taki nodded vigorously. He smiled at her and then looked at Savvy whose eyes shone with unshed tears. He would redeem her once he told her about their relationship but for now, his focus was on quietening the council about Akira.
"With that I'm sure we all know the outcome of your little 'test'. Akira and I will hold the official wedding in a fortnight and she will also be crowned queen. If anyone still objects then be my guest and challenge her."
No one spoke so Thaggar got up signalling the end of the meal. Everyone stood up in unison and one by one they all left. As she walked away, Daki glared at Akira whom she had underestimated. Forget about Sarika, she now wanted to annihilate Akira as she was a bigger threat to the fruition of her plans. She smiled sinisterly thinking about what could change in a fortnight. She hugged Savvy and told her to come back home with her which Savvy did not refuse. Once everyone had left, the family was left alone.
"I almost didn't recognize you." Tak said lightly clapping his hands together in applause.
"Yes. You were amazing! I'm sure they'll think twice before messing with you again." Taki added excitedly.
"You did well." Was all Sarika could say, the weight of Akira's earlier words still weighing on her.
"Thank you all. It was more exciting than I had anticipated." Akira said smiling brightly.
"We should all rest early then." Thaggar stated wanting to be alone with Akira,"You haven't eaten, have you?"
Akira shook her head and the others excused themselves understanding that Thaggar didn't wish to share Akira for the night. Akira sat down and let Thaggar serve her.
"Eat a lot. You must have used most of your energy."
"I just want to eat and sleep." Akira said wanting to see Thaggar's reaction.
The corner of his lips twitched but he forced a smile and nodded, squeezing his legs together to hide his obvious arousal. Akira laughed while he just looked at her, unable to hide his own smile.
"Feed me and I'll consider." Akira stated.
"I don't want to force you to do anything." He answered simply making her frown.
"Are you upset?" She asked and he quickly shook his head,"Don't you want me anymore?"
"I do."
"Then?"
"Do you want me?"
"I do so feed me."
Even though she tried to act bold, her cheeks had turned a bright pink. Thaggar smiled and started feeding her, taking a few bites himself when she insisted.
"Eat more." Thaggar urged when he noticed she wasn't opening her mouth,"You'll need the energy." Then he winked.
Akira opened her mouth while smiling at him.
*Did I mention that you look beautiful in this dress?" Thaggar asked as his eyes raked over her and when she shook her head he smiled and said,"Well my queen, you look beautiful. The sun must have set quickly because it was ashamed of being outshined."
Akira blushed, looking away from him to compose herself.
"I'm certain the moon is a crescent tonight to let you assist it in making the night brighter." Thaggar continued turning her back to face him,"Are you truly satisfied?"
Akira nodded and he helped her stand up.
"Leave it." Thaggar said when Akira was about to pick up the plates,"We have people to do that, don't steal their jobs."
She nodded and they walked up the stairs holding hands, whispering sweet nothings to each other. When they entered a room, Akira was surprised to find that it wasn't her own room.
"You haven't been to my room, have you?" Thaggar asked closing the door behind him,"You should move here. I didn't want to force you earlier since you were upset with me."
"So you're forcing me now?"
"Yes. This way we won't have to sleep without sorting out our differences."
"Oh....do you think you can make me speak, Thaggar?" She asked walking backwards towards the bed while her eyes were on him.
He scoffed as he watched her move, trying to act like what she was doing was not affecting him. His breathing turned shallow when she started pulling up her dress to bring her thighs to his view. He grunted and found himself slowly approaching her.