"I didn't know you were awake." Thaggar said with a sigh watching Savvy coming down the stairs with Akira,"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Akira was with...."
"My darling daughter!" Fanak exclaimed running towards Savvy.
Savvy didn't respond, unsure of how to act with him. She glanced at Akira and saw her nod then she approached Fanak as well, embracing him.
"Are you feeling well? Where were you hurt? You're not hurt?"
"I'm alright father. I was taken care of." Savvy said with a small smile that seemed to make Fanak worry even more.
He drew her in for another hug and whispered,"Did they tell you to pretend you're fine?"
"No, father. I'm truly fine."
"Let's go home." Fanak said resolutely as he grabbed her hand then he addressed Thaggar,"Your majesty....."
"Savvy, do you want to go?" Thaggar interrupted looking into Savvy's uneasy eyes.
Fanak turned to his daughter, wondering why Thaggar would question his intention to go with his daughter. What puzzled him even more was Savvy looking at Akira for an answer!
"It's your decision. You must have a lot to say to your mother." Akira said smiling,"I'll be right here when you come back."
"I also think you'll be safer unless new trouble arises," Thaggar added sweeping his eyes over Fanak as if he would be a potential threat,"I'll come get you myself."
Fanak had no idea what to think of what was happening. Thaggar was finally showing his daughter some affection but his daughter now seemed like she had been bewitched. Savvy nodded and allowed him to lead her away. She would glance back every now and then to look at Akira who was smiling, looking tired and exhausted then at Thaggar who seemed concerned and yet decided.
Some of the council members who had seen this wondered if at last Thaggar had consummated his marriage to Savvy or if Savvy was taking a new approach to win over Akira's trust. One by one they left, Dhaii being the last one as he was looking at Akira like he was studying something intriguing.
"You still seem sleepy." Thaggar said coming to stand in front of Akira.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Smiling, Thaggar picked her up and let her wrap her legs around his waist while he supported her buttocks with one hand, starting to climbed the stairs.
"You didn't sleep at all. You must be sleepy as well."
"Not really." He murmured bringing his fa e down to kiss her,"You must also be hungry."
Akira nodded and he asked a maid to bring up some food for both of them.
"Why did you have the council come here?" Akira asked only to hear him sigh,"Is it that bad?"
"No, but..... I'm afraid it might hurt you."
"Tell me, please."
"Let's get to the room first."
Akira let her head fall on his chest before burying her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his masculine scent. He lay down with her when they reach their room, switching roles to now having him rest his head on her bossom. He didn't speak for a while as she played with his hair.
"The intruder has Rai's soul." He said and immediately her hands froze.
He attempted to lift himself to look at her but she stopped him and continued to stroke his hair.
"I.... faintly remember seeing her face in his...." Akira said,"...I was hoping I was just imagining things."
"You did?" Thaggar inquired, jogging his memory in case he saw it too.
"Just for a while, a very short while I didn't believe it."
"We suspect it is someone we know, someone who was there when Rai took her life."
"How do you know?"
Thaggar told her everything he learnt and then there was silence once he finished. Luckily, their food arrived and the aroma seemed to dissolve the tension.
"Do your people have teachings on black magic?" He asked as they ate.
"Yes. They last we saw or heard of them was when father died in the war.....five of our men were wizards and betrayed us, killing there own."
"Their families?"
"Disappeared without a trace. Their huts ignited on there own and in the ashes we discovered buried animal skulls and interestingly fresh blood. The shaman cleansed the whole village for a month after that."
'Is it possible that.some of those remains belonged to humans?"
"No. The only time they probably consumed human flesh was in the war as most bodies were never found."
"Who told you?"
"I had sharp ears and liked standing outside the chief's home."
"You were eavesdropping."
"Not really, I was just there to admire the chief's son."
"Son?" Thaggar asked, his ears perking up to hear more."
"We can discuss that later. Let me finish telling you what I heard while 'visiting' the chief."
Thaggar grunted but didn't press her for answers. Gaining knowledge was important and the fluctuations would most likely stop by midnight.
"Because they consumed animals they were skin walkers."
"Am I....?"
"No. Unless you perform rituals while eating now quiet. The animal skulls were mostly bears and other predictors because they wanted to be as dangerous as possible."
"Was your father's corpse found?" Thaggar asked, curiosity eating at him and he sighed when she nodded.
"His upper half....the shaman said they can't use him properly unless they know how so.... someone might be somewhere wearing his face for all I know."
"I'm sorry..."
"And now mother's so is being used as a fuel for that wizard."
Akira's face turned pink as she fought to hold back tears. Thaggar places his hand on her shoulder to comfort her and he pulled her closer to himself.
"We should find him. You can be with Tak and I'll watch Sarika and Taki."
Thaggar nodded and they quickly finished their meal. As They went their separate ways, Akira called out to Thaggar.
"When we came back....tell me everything. No secrets. Promise?"
"Promise. Do the same."