Chapter 9: The Truth

Khari’s feet stumbled beneath her as she dropped to her knees, her gown spilling across the ground in waves. Her body trembled as her eyes stayed fixed on the floor, and her voice cracked, “I never intended to deceive anyone,” she said, her head bowed in supplication. “Please, just let me explain.”

His hardened gaze studied her intently as she bowed at his feet, but something in his chest tugged at him. He had seen so many people use manipulative tactics in the heat of battle, and yet her gesture was nothing but sincere. His brow furrowed as the urge bubbled up inside him. Somehow, he couldn’t stand to see her this way. He knelt down and grasped her delicate arm, lifting her to her feet and keeping his gaze locked with hers. His eyes lingered on her face briefly, and he could see her eyes, usually so steel-like and calm, had clouded over with an unfamiliar emotion he had yet to see from her...fear. His hand immediately released her slender arm, and he felt a stab of guilt in his chest. The last thing he wanted was for her to be afraid of him, “Come on,” he said. “Let’s find a place we can talk without being overheard.”

Khari stood motionless for a moment, processing the gravity of the two choices before her. The decision to stay put felt safe but hollow, and to follow him felt brave but nerve-racking. Awareness of the consequences, she chose the latter and crept behind him, following closely in his footsteps. The music of the party filled the halls of the palace, muffled by the thick walls and velvet curtains but still audible enough to make her heart race with anticipation.

He opened the door to a bedroom, and she peered into a well-ordered room that spoke of attention to detail. The bed was tightly made, and a bearskin blanket was thrown across its center. She couldn’t help but wonder if the animal had been killed by his own hand. The scent of wood ginger wafted through the air, comforting her in a way that could only be described as reassuring. He spun around, and her eyes followed the movement of his cape as it swirled through the air and draped across the edge of his bed. His eyes were gentle and his stance strong, as he said with a soft voice, “I’m listening.”

“It is true,” she explained, her face illuminated by the pale moonlight shining through the window. “At night, when the moon is out, I can see.” Peace seemed to settle over her features as the moon cast its gentle light.

Azim’s mouth fell open slightly as he stared at her, his brow creasing with confusion. He ran his gaze over her face, searching for an answer as to how this could be true. His lips moved a few times before he finally managed to choke out, “How?”

Her hands trembled as she spoke, her eyes focused on the floor. “It wasn’t that long ago,” she said in a quiet, broken voice, “that I tried to take my own life.”

Azim’s gaze descended from her face to her neck. His eyes softened with sympathy as he said, “I saw the scar.”

She glanced at the ground and absentmindedly touched the wide, red ribbon at her neck. She inhaled deeply before speaking, “Yes, the lowest moment in my life. It was on my balcony, underneath the glow of the full moon,” her eyes glossed, transporting her back to that time. “As I bled out, Tsuki saw something in me. Because at that moment, I could see,” she said, her eyes tearing up. “My entire life was dark, and the first thing I saw was Tsuki hovering over me. The most beautiful being in the entire world smiled upon me.” As her voice cracked, a single tear rolled down her cheek, “Tsuki, the moon goddess, saved me.”

“During our dance,” he asked, his voice rising in curiosity, “you could see?”

“No,” she said with gentle assurance. “Only when the moon is at its peak in the sky that I become blessed with sight. But when it sets, my vision is restored to darkness.”

He tilted his head and squinted, shaking his head in disbelief, “How long have you been keeping this from everyone?” he asked, his voice laden with hurt.

“Since that night, six months ago.” She shuddered, her mind flooded with the memory of the darkness that had set in, and she twisted her hands in front of her in a futile attempt to keep it at bay.

His eyes widened as he looked at Khari, perplexed, “Why? If Tsuki saved you, why not let everyone know?” He stepped closer, and his voice softened as he uttered her name, “Khari. This means you are an Atea. The third human ever to be touched by a God and the first woman. If the people learn of this, they will view you with reverence, and kingdoms will not raise against us in fear of going against the Gods themselves,” his gaze was intense as he finished speaking.

“I can not,” her voice trailed off into a whisper. Her throat tightened, and she could feel the heat of tears burning her eyes, “I’m Wren’s mistress. If he finds out, he will never let me go. It will solidify his position as King...”

Azim’s face softened in thought as he replied, “…with you most likely at his side,” his brown eyes seemed distant as he reflected on the possibility.

She looked away from him, her eyes welling up with tears. She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the pain of the conversation. “I refuse to add anything to his cause. I can’t let him be King. I know he’s your brother, and I’m sorry for that, but after the way, he has treated me...” she paused, swallowing past the lump in her throat, “I will not give him the satisfaction.”

Azim couldn’t help but smirk as he surveyed Khari. She was no longer the timid woman he had known as she had been replaced with a woman radiating determination. Her eyes flashed with fervor, and her jaw was set with a purposeful strength. He could feel the energy emanating from her as though it were tangible. “So, what’s your plan?” He asked, intrigued to learn more about her ideas.

She brought one hand to her forehead, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, “I haven’t figured out how yet,” she admitted softly, “but I’m trying to find a way to get away from him.”

He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. His lips tugged up into a smirk, and his eyes twinkled with amusement. “And how do you plan to do that?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she said in a dejected whisper. “But despite spending a year as his new mistress, we have never shared the same bed. Maybe there is still a chance of being reassigned.”

A small smile crept across his face as his body visibly filled with relief, “He’s never laid with you?”

She slowly shook her head, her lips pursed and her eyes heavy with the truth, “No,” she said in a low voice, “he made it clear that would never happen. Because to look at me is like looking at a dead carcass with the life having been sucked from its eyes,” she added, the corners of her mouth curling up into a faint smile.

His brother was wrong - dead wrong. Her eyes, even though blind, were more captivating than any he had seen before. Azim clenched his teeth together, a mixture of emotions swirling inside him. He let out a long sigh of comfort that his brother hadn’t already laid with Khari. It was true. If he had, she would have been forever bound to Wren. This further confirmed his growing feelings for the woman who stood before him. She remained untouched and un-defiled by his brother, and he weighed his options carefully. He looked into her eyes, and as if something deep inside him was driving his decision, he said, “I’ll help you.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You’d go against your brother for me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, “Why?”

He sighed heavily, his broad shoulders weighed down with disappointment, “I’ve missed my brother so, but I no longer know him. He’s changed. Especially hearing what he has done to you. We are called to protect the people of our kingdom, not abuse them,” he stated.

Khari’s brow creased as she looked into his eyes. Her voice carried an edge of suspicion as she asked, “And what will you get out of this?”

Azim’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk as his dark eyes glinted. “Do I detect a hint of suspicion in your words?” he said, his voice light and playful, “Are you suggesting I have ulterior motives?”

She gave a slight shrug, and the fabric of her dress shifted across her slender shoulders, “Everyone does,” she said.

“You’re right. I do have one. Just as you do to be free from Wren.” He took her by the hand and guided her to his bedroom door. “I’ll let you know my motive tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ll get started on my plan to help you.” He opened his door and gestured for her to leave, “Goodnight, Khari.”

She bowed her head slightly before lifting the hem of her long gown to step over the threshold, “Good night, Prince Azim,” she replied.

He stepped forward, and his lips grazed against her skin as he planted a kiss on her forehead. He pulled back and met her gaze with a smile, “Call me Azim,” he pronounced before stepping back and closing the door with a gentle click, leaving a stunned, heart-racing Khari in the hall.